Hitting The Wall

[indianahope]

We're now working about a 54 hour week, taking call 4-5 times in 6 weeks and doing admissions after hours on-call. It's getting rough. Been at this over 10 years and have never seen it like this. Wondering how long I can do it. If I'm not staying late at the office, I'm coming home to cook a dinner....then do paperwork at home. Weekends off are spent recouping for yet another round. I'm frustrated and exhausted. There, I said it.

Not looking for sympathy....just needed to whine and vent a bit. Losing perspective and I'm disappointed and angry at the system.

[tewdles, RN]

whew indiana...been there, done that, and I had the shirt (but burnt it in the fireplace for warmth when out of work).

It sounds like your team is overdue for a meeting to problem solve your staffing issues. Do some homework and discover what things hospices of similar size in your state are doing to provide care without over working professional staff. Come to the meeting with a few suggestions as well as your concerns and requests.

If management is not willing to "hear" the concerns, if they cannot "see" the evidence of burnout in their staff, if they cannot "act" on behalf of their staff...then you know that your time there is limited, you must take care of yourself and move on.

good luck!!