I feel the burnout approaching...

[Stella_Blue]

It's that time in my career when I think I might be coming to a major crossroads, but I'm so conflicted. Here is some background. I've been an RN for 5 years, I was an LPN for 2 years prior to that, and a CNA for several years before all of that. All of those years combined I've worked some type of bedside for almost 11 years.

Fastforwad to today. I work in a small, but very busy ER. My dream job. It took me many trials and tribulations to get to the ER, and I still love the ER as a unit. As a matter of fact I'll probably never work any other acute care unit. I've been in my ER for almost 2 years. However, recently I can just feel that burnout approaching. Its unlike anything I've every really experienced before. I find myself withdrawing a little more and more at work. I'm starting to make mistakes, and then these keep me full of disgust with myself on all my days off. Theres been a major shift in management at work and it just seems as if everything is changing for the worse. No need to explain to you guys, you know the scenario (not enough staff, taking away incentive pay, more mandatory educational requirements, ect.)

So this leads me to a very difficult decision...leave bedside now or tough it out and hope for a brighter day? I applied for 2 jobs today, but I highly doubt I'll hear anything as they are very sought after. My other question is, do I finally have enough ER experience to hop back in if I want to come back. It took me almost 3 years to get an ER gig and I dont want to jump those hoops again. I work with great nurses (for the most part) and even better doctors, but I can just feel my gut telling me something. Sorry for such a long post, but I have no nurse friends and no nurse family. No one understands ?

[NurseK523, LVN]

There is nothing like burnout, I am currently experiencing this myself.

There is also nothing like regret either, but your mental health comes first.

Think about the last time work felt rewarding for you, and than go back to when you feel burnt out. Does that rewarding feeling outweigh the bad?

I have been working in Hospice for four years now and every night before I come to work I dread it, I feel like all I do is sleep and all I can think is "life isn't meant to be lived this way." I always focused on how rewarding the job was, but the burn out feelings I am experiencing are taking a toll on my life and mental health to say the least.

I think when that begins to happen it's time to look at other options. Change is scary, but there's nothing worse than staying somewhere where you aren't happy.

Also how badly would you want to work in the ER in the future? Is there a way you could secure solid references for the future if you want to go back? That would certainly help.

Sorry I had to rant too, but I hope this helped!