Need advice - I'm burned out, ready to quit

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jan 29, 2006

I felt and most times still feel as you do down to a tee!

So I talked to my PCP! I was getting so down I would be so irritable and craby to my family...which was NOT my intent! I felt lost, hopeless, and way less than my own personal expectations!

My PCP called it "caregiver stress" and he guarentees me it will be in the books soon (hopefully with insurance coverage! LOL!). It is a form of stress that leads to depresson quickly! I got help with a very low dose of Paxil daily, and I have a journal I write in daily!

I also got a book on depression with some neat assignments I did for goal setting. I also found out that as many people and nurses I know...I had habits that actually had me hurting myself mentally! Negative behaviors I did so often, so internally, and without notice that I actually was most of my own probelm...and once I realized these little things I was doing to myself...my outlook became so much brighter and positive!

Now I can see the positive in what I do, even if it is just running like a hamster on a wheel...I can truely say I was there to help someone that needed me, even if it was just giving a med! And boy, do I love those rare moments I get to actually do more for a patient! And once I defined what 'more' was to myself...it happened more often than I had ever realized!

Hope that is helpful to you...and good luck!

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 29, 2006

One thing you need to remember is that hospitals hire travelers when they are short-staffed. By being a traveler, you are greatly increasing your chances of working in the least desirable work environments.

While no place is perfect, there are some places that are not as bad as some of the others. A few places are even nice places to work.... but those places are unlikely to need travelers.

As you get yourself emotionally in shape and start considering what to do with your career, I suggest you think carefully about the types of things you are looking for in a job. Investigate places that seem to have those qualities and give it try .... put down some professional roots ... form some solid relationships with you co-workers ... be a full member of the team ... invest in the work environment and in trying to improve it ... etc.

It won't be perfect ... but it might be better than traveling from place to place working only in places that are in need of travelers.

llg

CathyRN06 · Jan 29, 2006

I've been a nurse for 13 years and have only traveled the last two. I was part of a unit and in fact became so dedicated to improving nursing conditions that I was instrumental in forming a union. Did it help? Yes.

But what I see are problems that are nationwide. I didn't express myself very well in the above message.

Simply going back to being a staff nurse isn't the answer. Been there, done that. Even tried to change it.

To be honest with you, I've not experienced what you describe as travel nursing. Each has their problems but more often than not, it's the same no matter where you are. New Hampshire to California. Travel or staff.

Thank you for your input though, I appreciate all responses.

Nesher, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2006

I think llg had a good point regarding the types of short staffed places that find themselves in need of travelers. However you sound like you are at a crossroads and trying to decide if perhaps burning burgers at McDonalds is preferable to bedside nursing? If that is the case take a break, but bear in mind that all hospitals and units are not the same. I practice a type of nursing that has taken me years to find (PM me if you want to know where) - I make a difference every day. I have time with my pt's and their families. Is it ideal? No... nothing is, but at least I feel like I am able to give quality care and take time with each person. I don't feel like a chicken with my head cut off.

Perhaps you want some further education so you can see options?

CathyRN06 · Jan 30, 2006

I think llg had a good point regarding the types of short staffed places that find themselves in need of travelers. However you sound like you are at a crossroads and trying to decide if perhaps burning burgers at McDonalds is preferable to bedside nursing? If that is the case take a break, but bear in mind that all hospitals and units are not the same. I practice a type of nursing that has taken me years to find (PM me if you want to know where) - I make a difference every day. I have time with my pt's and their families. Is it ideal? No... nothing is, but at least I feel like I am able to give quality care and take time with each person. I don't feel like a chicken with my head cut off.
Perhaps you want some further education so you can see options?

Actually, I've looked into RN-FNP programs. I thought working in an ED would be interesting as a FNP. I hesitate at my age to go back although I think I would enjoy it.

Thanks for responding.

Selke · Jan 31, 2006

Actually, I've looked into RN-FNP programs. I thought working in an ED would be interesting as a FNP. I hesitate at my age to go back although I think I would enjoy it.

Ilg and the others had great advice; here's my 2 cents. I've kinda been where you are ....

You "hesitate at your age" to return to school? How old are you? Baloney. You can do it and succeed splendidly. I'm 48 and returned to school last fall for my MSN. I wished I could have done it years ago but I had a lawsuit going with my nursing school for a few years to release my transcript so that I could even apply for school, I battled debilitating depression, financial problems and out of control teenagers in the 1990s as a single mother, where all I could do was work and collapse at home in front of the TV and computer, lots of real life issues. I'm catching up for lost time now! I'd never ever forgive myself if I kept doing what I was doing for the next 20 years, biding time until retirement. Check out your local school of nursing and I bet you will find a good percentage of grad students (and undergrad, from what I read on these boards) who are in their 30's, 40's, and up. Becoming an APRN may be a good career move for you, although there are still issues, such as 15 min patient visits, pressure from suits on top, &c. But true, you're not dealing with acute critical conditions (usually, at least) in a primary care setting. Different kind of stress, but also potentially more rewarding. Just taking grad classes can help you feel more in control, like you can go someplace else.

What about becoming a professional health care activist? You worked as a union organizer (bless you! that can take lots of guts!) If every facility, every nurse and health care provider (RT, CNA, &c) was in a union, if every state had a mandatory minimum staffing law, nurses would have better working conditions, &c, across the entire country. (But that's another subject, another thread which I don't want to get into here.) Have you thought about becoming an organizer for a living? Maybe go to law school? Study public policy? Become a health care lobbyist? Work for universal health care issues, find a health care policy nonprofit to work for?

Good luck!

CathyRN06 · Jan 31, 2006

To be honest, organizing the union was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I've ever done. In the end, the organization we chose thought I was much too aggressive. What can I say? I believed in what I was doing and went after it whole heartedly.

Now my perspective has changed. After traveling the nation, I find the problems are nationwide instead of being limited to my own little world as I thought it was. Seeing the whole picture has given me another viewpoint and one that I'm saddened to see actually.

You're right - that's a story for another time.

I'm 53, the thought of having more school loans just doesn't sit well with me. I've just paid off my original ones after 13 years. I'm not in a position to pay for the classes right now although that could change in a year or so.

I'm considering options at this point and the answers I've received here have given me something to think about.

Thanks!

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 31, 2006

Now that I know a little more of your story, I can see that my 1st post didn't "fit" your situation all that well.

Maybe it IS time for you to move on a bit. Instead of moving from one job to another that is very similar, try a different focus or specialty. But don't throw away your skills and knowledge ... build on them. I don't know what your clinical specialty is, but can you build on that and move into some related position that would build on that experience? Not all "advanced roles" require a Master's Degree. Browse this forum and you might find one that interests you.

For example ... case management ... research nurse .... quality assurance/performance improvement ... infection control ... staff development ... etc. You could teach in an LPN program and in some RN programs with a BSN. You would probably make a lot less money at first, but that might be better in the long run that completely burning out and throwing it all away.

Good luck,

llg

oh2beinxtc · Jan 31, 2006

I agree with llg,I have been an LPN 16 yrs.I was burnt out,tired of ,well not really pt contact,but the stress of everyday nursing.I had already spoke with my husband and was preparing to quit nursing all together.i the took the position of a MA instructor.Well what can I say "I love it" This ia a wonderful and very rewarding job.Keep lookin the right job for you is out there. :clown: