I do not care anymore

[JB2007, ASN, RN]

Do any of you have trouble caring about what patients, residents, or anybody does anymore?

Today the nurse on 3rd shift was telling me that so and so just will not get out of bed anymore. All I could do is look at her and say I do not care.

If she wants to lay in that bed and rot let her. I have talked until I am blue in the face with this A&O X 3 resident and she chooses to not get out of bed. I am sick and tired of teaching people and they do not do a single thing I ask them to do.

I think that the residents, management, and my co-workers have sucked the passion of nursing out of me to the point that I do not think that I will ever care about a whole lot again. The well of compassion is dry and I do not think that it will ever fill up again. Oh, I will give good nursing care to my residents and their needs will be met one way or another, but that little bit extra will not be there. This breaks my heart in a way, but I can no longer get enough energy to do anything about it.

What do the rest of you do when you can no longer give a care anymore?

[WalkieTalkie, RN]

Take a scheduled vacation or a "mental health day"... they can do wonders!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I would do as you mentioned, don't neglect their basic needs, but for those who are not receptive, let them be. I had to become this way. I seem to have a radar for people who are not seeking or receptive to teaching. I make sure that I do what is ordered (if it is safe), keep the patient safe as best as I can and reserve my energy for those who wish to benefit from what we have to offer. You have to survive yourself.

[edwardsmi]

I understand 100% what you are experiencing and feeling its like the more you try to help inform and teach the more resistance you get but like the old saying goes, you cant help anyone who isn't ready to help themselves . Is time for a break go on vacation

[silentRN]

U ever thought about working in the hospital setting? I actually do enjoy it be because people come and go. U have your boring nights and some nights are exciting and keep you on your toes. Just a suggestion I guess

[tishirajan]

I agree with c0tangion, you need to take a little break. Just getting away from everything for a while can give you some much needed rest and a mental break.

You can only do so much for them and if they are not going to listen then so be it. Don't let is wear you down. Pagandeva is right on. She always has great advice.

I'm hoping and praying that when I become a nurse I don't find myself burned out. I love working with people but I don't want them to suck the life out of me.

[JB2007, ASN, RN]

I am taking some time off soon. However, I have been feeling this way for about 6 months now, so I am not sure that I will feel better afterwards.

I just do not understand this because when I worked as an aide I did not feel this way. I worked so hard to become a nurse and I just do not have that passion for it anymore. In fact, it is becoming so bad that on my days off I can not stand having to interact with people. Of course, I love my children and husband, they are the only exception to the no people rule. I do not want to be with friends or in the general population due to the effort I have to put forth to tolerate them. Everyone just wants a piece of me and I have nothing else to give. I am so weird.

[PeachPie]

You are not Jesus Christ. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Their lack of compliance is not your problem. Well, it is your problem in the aspect that you may be held responsible for their lack of motivation or personal responsibility. That's one of the reasons why I'm leaving nursing and going to IT.

Good luck.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

maybe it isn't "not caring' anymore, but learning to accept that people don't always act like you want them to act. Perhaps you are protecting yourself from the pain of being ignored or rejected by the non-compliant patient. Once I am satisfied the patient has received adequate information to make an informed decision about their actions, then so be it. I can put my energies elsewhere.

[tishirajan]

You know what is best for you. I can relate to not wanting interaction with other people besides my family. I do not like to be around a bunch of people when I'm off work. I just want to chill out at home with my hubby and kids. I think that our psyche is so darned expended from being around difficult people that we want to avoid any kind of confrontations or any kind of interaction that requires us to have to have any kind of empathy for others.

We live in a small town and I dread going to the grocery store or local fast food place because I invariably run into someone that has to tell me about soandso's health issues or someone died. There's this one man I dread seeing because he's like a walking obituary, he tells you everyone that has died within the last 50 freaking years!!!! ARGH! Yeah, I'm kinda weird too.

[Ginger45]

You sound like you are exhausted. I don't socialize alot either. I never thought much about it until you mentioned it in your post. I talk to my family and that is about it. I think thats because we give so much of ourselves at work. It sounds like you have a case of burn out and need some time for yourself. You really do care or you wouldn't notice these feelings. I hope that you are able to get some much needed R&R. You deserve it!

[HvnSntRN]

I agree that it sounds as though you are in the midst of a burn out. Maybe it's time to explore new opportunities or just take a vacation.

Are you looking after yourself? When was the last time you did something to pamper yourself... something like a pedicure to appreciate your hardworking feet?? or a massage to help lift all the work-related burdens from your shoulders??

Sometimes "not caring" is a symptom that you need some TLC yourself. You can't give what you haven't got! If the well is dry, it needs to be replenished!