Burnt out in ICU

Specialties MICU

Published

Specializes in ICU.

I have been working in ICU for five years, and recently moved to a new city and have been in my new ICU for a month.

I HATE IT!

AM I just burnt out, or is this a horrid ICU?

Nurses are not allowed to access path. results, cannulate or order bloodwork - the ICU director does not see why RNs should need to know blood results (she is english, for those of you that have worked in UK ICUs, you will know what I mean!).

We have to hoist intubated patients into chairs - most are fed early and have runny bowel movements - I do not think I should have to clean poop off the floor as part of my job. I don't think anyone should have to clean poop off the floor! Poop shouldn't be on the floor. I also think it is unacceptable to hoist intubated patients out of bed - what happens if they need to be reintubated? Thats my rear in trouble!

All the 'new' RNs are made to float to other areas with the rationale being that the older nurses need to stay incase they have difficult patients. Huh? When will the new RNs ever learn anything?

If there is a spare RN to float on the Unit, it will always be the Team Leaders friend, who will relieve for breaks, but not help - ie, if it is my turn for a break but I have to turn my patient, she will come back later instead of turning for me - in my old unit the RNs would have washed, polished and buffed my patient whilst I was on break because they knew I would do it for them!

Maybe I am just burnt out? I have been offered a PACU job and think I will take it. Has anyone left ICU and regretted it? Loved leaving?

Polly:smilecoffeecup:

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I have been working in ICU for five years, and recently moved to a new city and have been in my new ICU for a month.

I HATE IT!

AM I just burnt out, or is this a horrid ICU?

Polly:smilecoffeecup:

Wow! Your new ICU sounds great! And your manager, well, I only wish my manager was that smart. I think you're just burnt out! How can you even think of leaving? Maybe you should give up nursing all together.

Also, do you think you could get me an interview? I'm willing to take a pay cut and relocate from NYC to come work there.

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Specializes in CCU/CVU/ICU.
I HATE IT!

Nurses are not allowed to access path. results, cannulate or order bloodwork - the ICU director does not see why RNs should need to know blood results

most have runny bowel movements - I do not think I should have to clean poop off the floor... Poop shouldn't be on the floor.

Polly:smilecoffeecup:

So...all your patients have squirty-poop that runs on the floor...you're 'not supposed to know lab results'...you're hoisting your squirty-poop people (who are intubated) into chairs...you're not allowed to order labs, start iv's-or anything else...and your job routinely entails cleaning runny poop off the floor...Hmmm. YOu're NOT in an ICU-nurse at this point...so dont think you're leaving critical care.

I'm almost tempted to think you're fabricating this...

And aquaphone's post nearly made me pee my pants...

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm almost tempted to think you're fabricating this...

Nope, not making this up. I even have the 'educator' assessing my bedspace through-out the day - I was given a lecture yesterday because my art. transducer was two inches too high (they put them on poles here)! My patient was very stable and had reclined in their armchair. Must I reposition my transducer everytime a stable, close-to-discharge non-ventilated patient moves??

I am starting a new job in January in PACU - I can't wait. It is a shame, though, because I really enjoy being an ICU nurse - good days can be great days.

Polly

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Wow! Your new ICU sounds great! And your manager, well, I only wish my manager was that smart. I think you're just burnt out! How can you even think of leaving? Maybe you should give up nursing all together.Also, do you think you could get me an interview? ......

Come on. :nono: I think the above comments are really rude and inappropriate. The OP was venting and looking for commiseration.

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Come on. :nono: I think the above comments are really rude and inappropriate. The OP was venting and looking for commiseration.

I was giving sympathy and comic relief to the original poster. I did not mean that I actually wanted to leave my current job or that it was in fact a good place to work. I was implying that any normal nurse would feel exactly the same as the original poster. To think that one is "burnt out" because they are having extreme job disatisfaction under these conditions is absurd. To feel unhappy under such circumstances is normal.

The post was intended as a joke as was not to be taken literally. I am very sorry if I have offended you.

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