I don't want to go in

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

I need some serious help here. I've just had a week off work and have done some serious thinking about my stress levels, how nursing is now affecting my relationship and home life. I dread going back on Monday because every night I'm coming home angry, and taking it out on everyone because there/s no help for me at work, no support or recognition for struggling to run a theatre which I've had no training for.

Right now I'm working in the OR, have done so for the last two years. While I can say that I'm competent at my job, at the moment when the CN who runs two general surgery theatres is away, I'm being put in charge. I'm finding that I'm struggling a lot at work in this position, the CN has had 30 years experience, i've only had 2. I've been given no instructions on how to do the CN's duties because we're constantly short staffed, and the other experienced RN's I work with are only too happy for me to run around and sort out every little problem. To be honest one of them has been nursing for about 20 years as an RN, has NO initiative whatsoever and I always have to remind her to do things. And she gets paid more than me!

I am quite concerned about going to managment or the CNC with my concerns. Because the manager is quite frankly an idiot, can't get a roster out on time, was supposed to provide newbies with preceptors a year ago which is still not done.

The CNC well she has been known to SCREAM at nurses, no joke. I haven't seen her do it but too many people have said that they've heard her do it. She gets away with it because the manager is frightened of her and she's pretty powerful with admin. I have noted that she never recognises the good work we do all she ever does is criticise people. I'm concerned that by going to her she'll start on about all the things I do wrong. I know i'll probably cry because I am a bit sensitive at the moment and I try so hard to make things work for everyone.

I'm really at my wits end here. I am unhappy with the way things are right now, feel that there is no support or recognition to any of us. I dont' even know if I want to nurse anymore it's way too stressful and life is too short to go through this. I'm seriously considering doing something a bit different such as community nursing for a change.

Any advice on how to deal with this would be appreciated .

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, PACU, Travel nursing.

Personally I would ask to be taken off of charge duty. It doesn't sound like its worth the stress and that you have little to no support. I would demand support or a regular staff position so that you can do your job, go home, and let management deal with other issues. If this is an environment where you would still be stressed even as a regular staff nurse, I would start looking for another job. No job is worth that kind of headache.

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Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

When I had those feelings, and I dreaded going into work, and work was affecting my home life and relationships - I knew it was time to leave.

I took a different nursing position - and while it is still stressful, it's not as bad as the ER was. So far I've been able to tolerate it's up's and downs. Whatever happens, I wish you the best of luck. :loveya:

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Based on that you said she is tight with administration....this unfortunantly is a tough one. If you say something, even though you have every right to may just make things worse cause of where certain people stand. Would you consider switching to another department? Or ask to be properly trained to do CN duties. Well good luck!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Wait a minute..........are we long-lost twins going through similar experiences?? LOL

I feel every bit of your pain---Friday can't come soon enough, dread going in on Monday, come home PO'd every evening, feel exhausted and crabby all the time. I'm going through it too, and I know with every fiber of my being that it's time to pack it in and go. I have a hunch you know the very same thing.

Wishing you the best of luck in whatever you do.

((((((((SCRUBBY))))))))

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I agree with the above poster. I would ask to not be assigned as CN any longer. It isn't worth the extra stress you are now under. If things didn't improve after that I would look for another job within your hospital to see if anything interests you or look for another place of employment because sometimes a change of scenery and a fresh start is needed.

They might try to bully you into continuing as CN especially if they know you are stressed out right now. They know we are prime for the picking at times like that. Stand firm and don't let them do it. You know what's best for you.

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

Thanks for the advice everyone :(.

My strategy is that I'm going to go to work and just not stress out any more. I'm not going to run around breathless and fix everything (unless a patient is in danger, etc) because I've had enough of it. If things get out of control then I will request support. If I am denied any support then I will let the CNC know that I'm not coping,this is affecting my home life, I need support and are unable to continue working under these conditions.

If I'm yelled at or my faults are picked at by her then I will take this as a sign that things are not going to change, no matter what I do. I will just accept that I'm working in an unsupported and hostile environment and I will be looking for work elsewhere. I have to put my family and my mental health first.

One day I know I'll be ready to handle more responsibility and will be ready to work at a CN level. But not with only a mere two years experience and working in an environment that is a crisis waiting to happen.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

My strategy is that I'm going to go to work and just not stress out any more. I'm not going to run around breathless and fix everything (unless a patient is in danger, etc) because I've had enough of it. If things get out of control then I will request support. If I am denied any support then I will let the CNC know that I'm not coping,this is affecting my home life, I need support and are unable to continue working under these conditions.

If I'm yelled at or my faults are picked at by her then I will take this as a sign that things are not going to change, no matter what I do. I will just accept that I'm working in an unsupported and hostile environment and I will be looking for work elsewhere. I have to put my family and my mental health first.

Now that's an excellent attitude! I think I need to adopt it as well..........it's got to be better than stressing over everything and hitting the Ativan bottle during the day as well as at HS. I've NEVER taken it for actual anxiety before---I use it only at night for sleep---but this morning I cut a 1 mg tablet into fourths and took one along with my usual AM meds. Alas, it only took the slightest edge off the anxiety and wasn't worth the guilt feelings about needing meds just to get through the work day. I don't want to go there........no job is worth it!

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Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.

Other posters have offered great advice and I agree, get out of the Charge position.

Life is too short.

It is not worth letting work basically ruin your health (and your life)...because if events like you have described continue, it will.

Another route that I recommend is to take some Family Leave. If you do not have that option, see an MD and explain how this hostile work environment is affecting your health. Be honest. There is a very good chance that he/she will write you a note that would enable you to go on short term disability.

I have chosen to only work part-time now.

I knew that if I didn't cut back my hours and continued to endure the unrelenting stress, I would be leaving the Nursing profession altogether.

I feel like I have my life back now.

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