NEW GRAD BURN OUT

Published

Hello all! I recently decided that bedside nursing is just not for me!

Just a quick background - I've been working as a nurse for a little under at 1.5 years with ~1 yr CNA experience before that.

I would absolutely dread going to work every night! At first I blamed my "new grad-ness" (pretty sure that's not a word) for my anxiety and depressive states about going in to work, but after I became more comfortable/confident with my knowledge and skills I realized I am really BURNT OUT. Burnt out from night shift and the effect it has on my personal life; from dealing with high read mission rates; from too little support (no techs at night. Ratio is 36 patients to 6, max 7 nurses).

There have definitely been a few situations where I have been helping a HIGH fall risk patient usually on a Bumex gtt to the bathroom/commode when CTMC calls me about life threatening arrhythmias.

At first I thought it was just this particular job because how could I not love nursing? It's all I ever wanted to be. I come from a family of different nurses. I worked my tail off for my BSN and to pass NCLEX. This is not just supposed to be some job to make money, but a CAREER. A PASSION!

i eventually switched hospitals. Much better staffing. 4 patients to 1 nurse and 8 patients to 1 tech. Great techs at that! They weren't overwhelmed and didnt argue about simple tasks! But yet I still wasn't happy in my work life and I was still on night shift.

Now i am switching to a same day procedures job, I hope I like it! I still want to be a nurse and make a difference, but I don't think bedside nursing is the outlet for me to do that.

Please share your stories about burn out (how did you resolve this or are you still dealing with it), changing specialities or even a career switch. I would love to hear the experience of others.

Please avoid the mean comments! Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Here's a thought. You have your BSN and 1.5 years experience. Start looking into travel nursing. Don't make your life about work. Make your work give you a life. There is just too many places to see and things to do that will keep your head fresh, and give you an opportunity to enjoy your life. The money is a nice bonus too. After 13 weeks move on to another assignment. You worked to hard for your BSN to think about giving it up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sometimes it's just about finding your niche in the nursing world. Floor nursing is not everyone's cup of tea. It wasn't mine, I knew that it wouldn't be from working as a CNA on a medsurg floor for three years before finishing nursing school. After two years at my first RN job I was pretty crispy around the edges for a variety of reasons, and changing from the ED to PACU made me love nursing again. One of the great things about nursing is that there are so many different areas you can work in and so many different things you can do with it that it's just a matter of finding the area you love.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have definitely considered PACU! Still get to use my skills, but without the extra "fluffing" that sometimes comes with bedside nursing and no worries of high readmissions!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
. Don't make your life about work. Make your work give you a life.

Such a great line of advice. This is definitely my goal! I know there will be days I won't want to go to work, but I don't want it to seem like a burden or a dark cloud over me.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Congrats on your new job! I hope you find your niche. Day shift will be a lot better for you - you'll see.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion