New grad burnt out

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

I have only been a nurse for 4 months but I think I am completely burnt out! I work in a clinic/urgent care in a very very rural area. We do a lot and see all types of patients of every age. Through some strange twist and turns I became charge and the only RN on the unit..... I really don't have a lot of direction and I thought over time it would get easier but it hasn't and I constantly feel like I have no clue what I am doing. The providers get annoyed with me cause I don't always have an answer they like or I don't know how to fix every problem. I try to do the best I can. Really I do! The rest of the nurses on the unit are really good but ever since I became charge it has felt like chaos but the worst of it all is I am beginning to dread going to work and I wake up grumpy! I don't know how to change. Help!

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Do you trust your manager enough to tell her how you feel?

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Yea we have chatted a few times since I became charge. She has been supportive of me when I have made decisions that others where unhappy about. She knows I would much rather be working directly with the patients. I think part of the problem is that technically we are short a nurse and most of them are temps.

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Specializes in ED, CTSurg, IVTeam, Oncology.

no offense, but wise up, you're being used. no matter how good you may think you are, being placed "in charge" 4 months after graduation is akin to telling the intern on the floor that he's now an attending physician.

years ago, the minimum requirement in most places for anyone to be placed in charge was five years on the unit, but usually it was someone that was there at least 10 to 15 or more. as hospitals started to cut back, the charge nurse position also went the way of the dinosaur. now, a regular nurse carrying a full patient load might also be required to "cover" charge. in some places, at night, there is no one in charge. if there's a problem it goes straight to the nursing supervisor.

to the op, your nurse manager is willfully placing you into a position of responsibility that she knows is beyond your ability and expertise. it's no wonder you're being burnt out. you haven't yet had the experience under your belt to work a position like that and you're being forced to.

far from 'supporting' you, your nurse manager is actually the primary source of your problem.

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Specializes in Chiropractic assistant, CNA in LTC, RN.

I agree that 4 months of experience is no where near enough to be doing charge. That is placing way too much stress on you. I would politely tell the nurse manager that you feel this is too much to ask of you and that you need more time to learn the job of nursing before you start doing charge. If she doesn't understand and find someone more experienced to replace you, then she shouldn't be a manager.

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I am not in nursing currently (awaiting for it), but I was in the similar situation in my job. The boss was very "supportive" of me doing stuff that was totally higher than my level of expertise, because he didn't want to pay adequate salary to someone who was able to do the job, and he was using me to total burnout for about 8 months while I was doing my job and the job of a guy who left and who was at a much higher position.

This is not a good situation, but it has nothing to do with nursing. Your boss is an a-hole, that's all. :(

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Thanks EmergencyRN and everyone I guess I kinda already knew that..... I by no means think I was qualified for the position I have even told them that. The previous charge just kinda left.

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Specializes in Chiropractic assistant, CNA in LTC, RN.

Kinda makes you wonder why she left huh? Hope things work out for you soon. I think it will be way less stressful when you work as a "regular" RN. You can focus on learning the job you have the experience for. This has been a good learning experience in itself though I am sure.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
To the OP, your nurse manager is willfully placing you into a position of responsibility that she knows is beyond your ability and expertise. It's no wonder you're being burnt out. You haven't yet had the experience under your belt to work a position like that and you're being forced to.

I can identify. I was placed into a charge position right out of nursing school, and I wasn't ready for it. I would have liked a reasonable amount of time working with and observing a seasoned nurse before beginning to take on charge tasks. I was asked to make decisions that I did not have the experience to make. Looking back, it's a wonder I survived that time.

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It's nice to have the vote of confidence, but it appears you already see the Danger Signs of the situation you're in.

Your choice is to either get burned out, or gracefully tell your manager that while you apprecitate the vote of confidence you will be useless to them if continue in this postion at the stress level you are at.

Bottom line: In the end, the most important opinion is "Yours."

- Luis

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

Wow,..our preceptorship is longer than 4 months!

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Thanks everyone! I have friends that graduated at the same time and some of them are still in a preceptorship and I wish I chose the new grad program back home but I wanted something different at the time and I guess I got it! :specs:

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