HELP!! NURSE BURNOUT

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Specializes in Longterm/Rehab and Hematology/Oncology.

Working in an oncology infusion center. No prior experience. RN for only 1 year. I FEEL BURNT OUT. I hate going to work. It is soooo stressful. I was an LPN for 6 years in long term care. I just don't know anymore if I want to be a nurse in a hospital. The pace is very fast and we had a code today that was frightening. My boss micromanages me....I stink at IV's and drawing blood...but wait-- they can't even train me properly b/c they're so extremely busy...i try to start an IV but their veins are so hard to find. I'm already down so please no comments that i don't need. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

Breathe! 123 breathe! It's just not your piece of pie! There are a whole more to taste as an acute care RN!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Step-Down.

You had a code today, it can't really get much worse. Every time I have a code or have to call the rapid response team I leave my job feeling like I want to quit that day. The next day is usually better. At the same time, some jobs really are unbearable. Do you feel burnt out like this EVERY day or do you feel especially burnt out today because of the code? Switch to a new job if you need to, there are so many specialties out there. I don't think you'll get rid of the stress all together, but you could be overall happier at a different job. I have 7 months experience right now and my floor is very stressful most days. But overall I am very happy and love the specialty I am in, the good outweighs the bad. Do some soul searching and figure out where you want to go from here. I wouldn't decide tonight if you want to quit, you are undoubtedly upset after what happened today and you need to give yourself time to breathe (as the above poster said). But you certainly don't need to hate work every day.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
working in an oncology infusion center. no prior experience. rn for only 1 year. i feel burnt out. i hate going to work. it is soooo stressful. i was an lpn for 6 years in long term care. i just don't know anymore if i want to be a nurse in a hospital. the pace is very fast and we had a code today that was frightening. my boss micromanages me....i stink at iv's and drawing blood...but wait-- they can't even train me properly b/c they're so extremely busy...i try to start an iv but their veins are so hard to find. i'm already down so please no comments that i don't need. any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

the first year of nursing is difficult. you've been an rn for a year -- if you still stink at ivs and drawing blood, it isn't because "they" don't have time to train you. it's because you haven't learned to be good at ivs and drawing blood. oncology patients notoriously have poor veins . . . it might help you to spend a day or part of one (probably of your own time) shadowing someone who excells at sticking veins.

as far as the burn-out goes, sometimes changing shifts helps. other ideas are new hobbies so that work isn't your biggest focus, or joining a committee or being part of a project at work.

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(Accidental double post - please ignore this post)

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As mentioned before, maybe you should switch your speciality? What is your specialty?

Or, if your specialty is not the problem, why not look for another workplace that you would like to work at?

I don't think being a RN is the main problem. I think where you work is the main problem. There are so many places that a RN can work (homes for the elderly, hospitals, schools,military, on the road,etc.). I suggest investigating other workplaces for RNs (in private, though - don't go telling ANYONE at work that you plan to work elsewhere).

Plus, a RN could switch specialty within 1-3 years. Are you willing to go back to school for another specialty?

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