LVN Burnout

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I have only been an LVN for 4 years and am wondering if what I feel is burn out. I have worked at the same LTC since I received my license. I use to work baylor weekends - in which I worked 2 doubles and was paid 40 hours for those days. I became injured and ended up having to have back surgery. I went back to work but working nights. I find it harder and harder to go to work. I am so tired all the time. I even question if I still want to be a nurse. I love computers and have a good background with them, so I have pondered over just switching to something in that field. I was feeling this way before I hurt my back but hoped it would be different when I came back. It hasnt been.

Any suggestions on how to fix this??? I do like being a nurse, I think so anyway. Some times I dont feel that way though. It just seems like a daily inner struggle.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Hey, there...

When I was an LVN, I found that I felt burnt out with a five-day work week because it felt as if I was at work all the time. In particular, having to work five nights a week (10:00pm to 6:30am) felt bleak and isolating to me.

However, I loved 16-hour weekend double shifts because I had five days off in a row to relax and rejuvenate. I also like my current schedule of three 12-hour shifts per week.

Therefore, my issue is that I prefer more days off each week, even if it means I have to work two or three long shifts to make that happen. If I am forced to work five 8-hour shifts each week, I burn out like an overcooked piece of bacon.

Good luck to you!

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I have been experiencing this too but I have only been an LPN for two years!!! I questioned nursing, and decided to stay in it and push on. There are so many different options with nursing that I feel you need to find where you belong. I recently left a position and started another and it IS getting better. Before I left my previous position I was depressed (actually was put on meds), I didn't want to go to work and when I got there I didn't want to be there so I was more irritable towards my co-workers and they knew it and luckily forgave me. I woke up thinking "I should call out today" pretty much every day. I know another LPN at the same practice I worked with felt the same. She has been debating on leaving nursing too. You have to do what's best for you, but I also think maybe you just need to find where you belong.

Good luck! :]

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I have been experiencing this too but I have only been an LPN for two years!!! I questioned nursing, and decided to stay in it and push on. There are so many different options with nursing that I feel you need to find where you belong. I recently left a position and started another and it IS getting better. Before I left my previous position I was depressed (actually was put on meds), I didn't want to go to work and when I got there I didn't want to be there so I was more irritable towards my co-workers and they knew it and luckily forgave me. I woke up thinking "I should call out today" pretty much every day. I know another LPN at the same practice I worked with felt the same. She has been debating on leaving nursing too. You have to do what's best for you, but I also think maybe you just need to find where you belong.

Good luck! :]

This is exactly how I am feeling. I want to call in but won't due to feeling obligated to my pts and my coworkers. I have been looking into informatics with nursing but seems you really need an RN with that. Not much call for it in my area. I guess I need to find my place. I know this is not it.

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Hey, there...

When I was an LVN, I found that I felt burnt out with a five-day work week because it felt as if I was at work all the time. In particular, having to work five nights a week (10:00pm to 6:30am) felt bleak and isolating to me.

However, I loved 16-hour weekend double shifts because I had five days off in a row to relax and rejuvenate. I also like my current schedule of three 12-hour shifts per week.

Therefore, my issue is that I prefer more days off each week, even if it means I have to work two or three long shifts to make that happen. If I am forced to work five 8-hour shifts each week, I burn out like an overcooked piece of bacon.

Good luck to you!

Yes I feel very isolated. Our schedule is 3 on 1 off...4 on 2 off and every 3rd weekend we get 3 off. It feels like I need to rest all the time. If I am home I'm tired, asleep, or grumpy. I use to work the double weekend and I did like that more but was still getting the burn out feel.

What makes it worse is I feel so obligated to my people. Kind of like my kids. It's really taxing on the emotions and my inner struggle with burnout.

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LTC can be very draining work. Try looking into other options like home health, hospice or clinic. I'm currently working with a family practice doctor in a clinic and really like it. I have a lot of fun co-workers and normal "business" hours. You don't get to use as many bedside skills, but I'll pick up extra hours in Urgent Care (through the same clinic system) on the weekends sometimes and you get to do more treatments.

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I did sub acute for my first job and lasted 3 months there I hated it. And then I found an adult medical day care and have been working there for 5 yrs now. the pay isn't as great but there is not too much stress. And that's all that matters too me at least lol

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I went through this 3 or so years in of my LPN career. I was just done with the overload of patients, getting my ass beaten every day, never eating during 16 hour shifts, etc. I started to loathe it. So I took a break, a long one for about 6 months and stayed home with my kids. I realize this isn't an option for everyone. Then I went to a different field, occupational health. I realized not all LPNs have to be in nursing homes and reignited my nursing fire so you can say lol. I decided to go back to school to get my RN to have more opportunities, I will be done in 18 months, and I am more sure than ever that I am in the right career. My advice would be to switch fields, get a day shift clinic job that is easy on your body for a change. Find something that makes you want to be a nurse again. And if you can't find then look into different careers. Good luck, we have all been there!

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I went through this 3 or so years in of my LPN career. I was just done with the overload of patients, getting my ass beaten every day, never eating during 16 hour shifts, etc. I started to loathe it. So I took a break, a long one for about 6 months and stayed home with my kids. I realize this isn't an option for everyone. Then I went to a different field, occupational health. I realized not all LPNs have to be in nursing homes and reignited my nursing fire so you can say lol. I decided to go back to school to get my RN to have more opportunities, I will be done in 18 months, and I am more sure than ever that I am in the right career. My advice would be to switch fields, get a day shift clinic job that is easy on your body for a change. Find something that makes you want to be a nurse again. And if you can't find then look into different careers. Good luck, we have all been there!

Thank you so much for your input! I have been thinking about informatics. I think I need much more education for that. I am a self taught computer nerd but probably need some certifications behind me. So I think I am going to go back for those certifications. It is such a weird feeling. I have taken off work the next couple of days to get my bearings back. My back is a little funky over a long trip we made this weekend so I need a little "flat of the back" time. Time to think

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LTC can be very draining work. Try looking into other options like home health, hospice or clinic. I'm currently working with a family practice doctor in a clinic and really like it. I have a lot of fun co-workers and normal "business" hours. You don't get to use as many bedside skills, but I'll pick up extra hours in Urgent Care (through the same clinic system) on the weekends sometimes and you get to do more treatments.

I have thought about Hospice. For some reason that appeals to me. I have found though, that it is really hard to get into. Home health is a little easier (little) than hospice to get into. I find that each of them really want someone with hospice/home health experience when they post an opening. I have applied but have not got a hit with any of the hospice companies around me. I will keep trying.

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I did sub acute for my first job and lasted 3 months there I hated it. And then I found an adult medical day care and have been working there for 5 yrs now. the pay isn't as great but there is not too much stress. And that's all that matters too me at least lol

I think the main thing is, I found my first job at LTC and have stayed there. I did venture out once, to a psych unit but this was at the time my back was going out so I never really got a chance to like or dislike any of it. After surgery, I just went back to what and where I was at to begin with. Same job I started with. I need to venture out. My husband says "spread your wings".

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Specializes in DD, PD/Agency Peds, School Sites.

I work at school sites. It's all day, 5 days a week, but no weekends. When I start feeling sick of myself, boom, there's a vacation or 3-day weekend. School nursing positions for LVN's are plentiful through staffing agencies in my state. You can work other assignments during the summer if you need extra income. I absolutely love the schedule.

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