I'm taking a 3-month medical leave of absence due to stress from nursing. Anyone who is currently working with me will recognize who I am.
Basically, covid has killed nursing for me. It has made it into a macabre profession. I am now a full-blown claustrophobic thanks to the masking mandate, and all the other regulatory BS that has taking over everything. I hate what nursing has become.
I hope to continue to lead a healthy life, and then die before the medical industrial complex gets its hands on me. I've told my children that I want to die a natural death and I want only a graveside Christian burial when my time comes.
That is scary. I am fearful that some hospitals may have to start turning patients away or even close.
They aren't going to turn them away. They board them in the ED. Then the patients needing emergency care sit in the waiting rooms for hours on end before being seen by a provider. We currently have over 80 people waiting on beds. Most in our ED but some in outside EDs or at home. We are having intermittent unit closings due to staffing. There are no RRT/Code nurses because they've been pulled into staffing. The float pool has been decimated and I don't even live in a Covid hotbed.
Today I'm doing an assignment that normally takes 3 nurses. Unless someone calls off then I'll have to take on more. I'm in charge tomorrow...God help me.
They aren't going to turn them away. They board them in the ED. Then the patients needing emergency care sit in the waiting rooms for hours on end before being seen by a provider. We currently have over 80 people waiting on beds. Most in our ED but some in outside EDs or at home. We are having intermittent unit closings due to staffing. There are no RRT/Code nurses because they've been pulled into staffing. The float pool has been decimated and I don't even live in a Covid hotbed.
Today I'm doing an assignment that normally takes 3 nurses. Unless someone calls off then I'll have to take on more. I'm in charge tomorrow...God help me.
My prayers to you and others in our nursing family. It's all madness, hard to wrap my head around
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
43 minutes ago, Wuzzie said:
They aren't going to turn them away. They board them in the ED. Then the patients needing emergency care sit in the waiting rooms for hours on end before being seen by a provider. We currently have over 80 people waiting on beds. Most in our ED but some in outside EDs or at home. We are having intermittent unit closings due to staffing. There are no RRT/Code nurses because they've been pulled into staffing. The float pool has been decimated and I don't even live in a Covid hotbed.
Today I'm doing an assignment that normally takes 3 nurses. Unless someone calls off then I'll have to take on more. I'm in charge tomorrow...God help me.
Emergent, I am glad that you are taking care of yourself and doing well!! I hope you are enjoying your time off, you deserve it. Wishing you well in all your future endeavors, whether nursing or not. I cant believe how much nursing has changed over the last 20+ years and I just feel for new nurses, and all nurses and HCW now during covid. It is just too much!!
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
On 8/19/2021 at 4:04 AM, Wuzzie said:
They aren't going to turn them away. They board them in the ED. Then the patients needing emergency care sit in the waiting rooms for hours on end before being seen by a provider. We currently have over 80 people waiting on beds. Most in our ED but some in outside EDs or at home. We are having intermittent unit closings due to staffing. There are no RRT/Code nurses because they've been pulled into staffing. The float pool has been decimated and I don't even live in a Covid hotbed.
Today I'm doing an assignment that normally takes 3 nurses. Unless someone calls off then I'll have to take on more. I'm in charge tomorrow...God help me.
Wow!! That is intense. I admire you for being able to handle it, and I hope things get better
I've been seeing so many posts similar to this about COVID-related burnout and overwhelm. I'm still a student, do you think there's a way to mentally prepare for this sort of environment before I get out there?
There's a not so subtle judgment in your post. "I want to know that when times were hard I chose to stay and stick it out and fight for others". This implies that those nurses who chose to quit, for whatever reason(s), are somehow deficient in character or compassion. When many nurses weren't even provided basic (and essential) PPES can you really impugn them for quitting? I personally applaud anyone for making the very difficult decision of leaving this very toxic profession
Nope, perhaps she just chose to stay for those who couldn't, because she could. Nothing more, nothing less.
I applaud those who took time away from nursing. To the OG vets, please write healthcare Policy, advocate for us in the trenches, with the same knowledge and vigor for sustainable healthcare bylaws as you have ICU care. Don't leave us, change up the strategy and we love you.
Specializes in ICU/ER/Med-Surg/Case Management/Manageme.
5 hours ago, cairomania said:
I've been seeing so many posts similar to this about COVID-related burnout and overwhelm. I'm still a student, do you think there's a way to mentally prepare for this sort of environment before I get out there?
Such a great question! You might consider starting a new thread with this topic. There might be many new people or students wondering the same thing. Even those who've been around for years might not be reading this thread.
So my thoughts: First, to prevent all forms of burnout, develop strong/invigorating interest outside of healthcare. Might be exercising/running/biking/arts/local theater groups/entertaining friends/cooking. Find your passion. Second, learn to say "no" unapologetically. In some places you may be hounded to work extra hours/shifts. Don't be guilted into something that isn't in your best interest longterm. Believe me, if you don't cover that extra shift they will definitely find someone to do it. Took me years to figure that one out! Third, as soon as you begin to manifest symptoms of burnout, get professional help. A session or two with a counselor or employers EAP rep might make a huge difference - get you over the hump. Finally, you are coming into this profession with the idea of Covid as part of your "norm" whereas many of us had to adjust years and years of habits and thoughts. Something as simple as wearing a mask throughout the shift might be easier for you than me. Think about the little bitty kids - they've taken to mask wearing much more quickly than we older people. Same thing,
Others will have other ideas. Your ability to look ahead will serve you well.
Kspeed
11 Posts
Sorry you feel that way.