How do you know when you are burnt out on a floor?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jun 4, 2011

Look back over your past few months of work; if the bad days outnumber the good, it's probably time for a change.

EmergencyNrse · Jun 4, 2011

Unfortunately it will be the people around you that know before you do.

If you're questioning it it's probably too late. You need a change...

Chin up · Jun 4, 2011

You answered your own question. You can't take another day, are willing to take a drastic pay cut ( but don't have to if creative enough), willing to work different shifts, hours, weekends holidays, almost anything to get out of there. Then there is the biggie, you are willing to go without working at all, if it means you don't have to step on that floor again. Meaning, you quit, without a job.

When you start asking questions like this one, are irritable with everyone including home, coworkers and patients, when you find it harder to get out of bed to the shower right before work, when you quit girls night out or any activity you love, it is time to start looking for other employment. Best to start mailing resumes and interviewing now, than let that day come, when you do quit without having another job already in place.

Good luck on your search. Don't put it off any longer, you sound ready. Peace!

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Jun 4, 2011

When you hear the Little River Band in your head singing this song then it's time to move on.

[YOUTUBE]

[/YOUTUBE]

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2011

When you post a thread such as this!

The beauty of nursing is that you have so many choices. We are only limited by our own fears of moving forward.

Look around and see what is out there. Take a stab at putting your application in when you see something interesting. You truly have nothing to lose.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2011

The second I set foot on the floor. :coollook:

ledzepfan · Jun 4, 2011

When you hear the Little River Band in your head singing this song then it's time to move on.
xslO6Qi_kGQ

Love your reply, haven't heard that song in awhile.

Very fitting. :up:

RNperdiem, RN · Jun 4, 2011

Let's see... When you start dreading going to work Monday when you leave on Friday and have the weekend off.

I had fantasies of working stocking shelves at minimum wage somewhere.

I hoped to get sick enough to call out.

Thankfully I left that job and have had no thoughts of quitting.

beeble · Jun 4, 2011

Yes, I think it's time to move on. I worry about a cut in pay as I have bills. I am applying for the other jobs on other units, even if they are a drop in hours, though I have to maintain at least a .7, I think.

I think I am realizing it gets bad when co-workers snap at each other d/t the stress of understaffing, when you dread a heavy patient because there is no lifting equipment of help and acuity isn't figured into the matrix, when you dislike residents/MDs because they dont understand or seem to care about staffing difficulties, and prescribe care that is more in tune with better staffed units (i.e. 1:4,1:3, ect).

Thanks for your replies. I shouldn't be afriad of changes. In fact, there is focus on my unit right now on rate of turnover. I have stuck it out for almost 3 years. There is a core of long termers, but many have come and gone in the 3 years I've been there.

FlyingScot, RN · Jun 5, 2011

I find that when I start throwing up before going into work then it's time to move on!!!! :eek:

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Jun 5, 2011

So many times we imprison ourselves in a bad situation far beyond time to go because the element of "unknown" in change is frightening. Put another way, we often act like the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. I agree with the previous answers. Remember, money is more addictive than heroin, so don't let it control your life or it will kill you.