New Nurse burned out

Nesher, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2005

I imagine, now that you have one leg to stand on experience wise, and your dreams aren't all nurse nightmares, you have paused and looked around you. It sounds like you might have noticed that your surroundings aren't great?

Burnout is a umbrella term that covers a great deal of ground. You mentioned that the nursing aspect of your job is good and that your coworkers and management aren't, but you aren't really spelling it out. What is the problem?

Burnout can lead to many different behavioral changes. To name a few: distancing ( yourself from your patients, staff, family), anger, guilt, hostility, exhaustion, drug/etoh abuse, headaches, absenteeism, and irritability.

If you indeed are feeling some of those behaviors, perhaps you are starting to burnout, but I get the impression you just have issues with the people you work with, yes?

geekgolightly, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2005

Hi guys!
I'm a new nurse of 7 months now, and I'm already experiencing what I think is burnout. I have really enjoyed the nursing aspect of my job, but I'm having a hard time in the area that I'm working in with my colleagues and management. I don't know what to do, thought I might see if someone with a little more experience might have some advice.

find a better enviornment.

it did me a world of good.

Bjo · Jan 27, 2005

What kind of trouble are you having with your co-workers? I know a lot of new nurses become frustrated when they finally land a great job doing what they have always wanted to do and then they find out that "this is the real world" , so to speak. I have been a nurse for 20 years and I can still remember the strick education we received about the correct way to perform our nursing procedures. When I was finally working as a "real nurse", the first time I saw someone take a short-cut, I was apalled. Now, she didn't do anything wrong in her procedure. It was just different than what I was taught.

This may not have a thing to do with what you are going through, but I thought I would share my experience.

BETSRN · Jan 27, 2005

Hi guys!
I'm a new nurse of 7 months now, and I'm already experiencing what I think is burnout. I have really enjoyed the nursing aspect of my job, but I'm having a hard time in the area that I'm working in with my colleagues and management. I don't know what to do, thought I might see if someone with a little more experience might have some advice.

Can you give us some more specific details, please?

Attheana · Jan 27, 2005

You are just in whats called "the honeymoons over phase" I was lucky enough for my nursing instructor to teach me about this phase before I graduated. Its when the whole excitement of being a new nurse wears into reality. You learn that there is nursing school way and real life way. and sometimes it sucks. You can try a different environment but you will feel the same there in a short while. Nursing is hard work. demanding and well it plain sucks at times but it has its rewards also. Maybe find an area that you like. Some like rehabilitation/skilled units for recovery.. its the one place you get to see your patients go home. some come in on a stretcher and walk out... Thats rewarding. Try OB thats rewarding. take another class. try to mixed it up alittle maybe its not the place you work maybe its just you need alittle change.

Sadie04 · Jan 27, 2005

I'm sorry you're feeling burnt out. I think it's hard not to feel that way in this profession. I'm feeling the effects of burnout myself, I've been an RN for 2 years. I know I need a change but I'm not sure which direction to go in. I think I need to get a job outside the hospital for a while and am considering home health.

Can you be more specific about the issues you're having? :)

inursm · Jan 29, 2005

Can you give us some more specific details, please?

Thanks to all who responded! I'm not sure if I'm burned out or if I need to change to another specialty. I'm in a burn unit and I chose the unit as my first job because it had so much to offer, or so it seemed! My unit is a mixed unit with ICU, step-down, and floor acuity levels as well as peds and adults. When I was done with nursing school, everything interested me, but I didn't know what I wanted to do so I picked the burn unit due to the variety of acuity, patient populations, as well as the experience in wound care. Now, I find that I don't get much help doing wound care, I'm overly uncomfortable with acute situations in the ICU, because my orientation sucked and the management on the unit is terrible. The staffing is usually low and I find myself living up to the standards of my nursing instructors and going that extra mile, but it's humanly impossible and I'm so frustrated! Frustrated to the point that I don't know that I want to be a nurse anymore! This is my second degree and I was so excited throughout nursing school because I loved it so much. Now, I'm going through a huge disappointment and I don't know what to do. So many nurses tell me that these problems will be everywhere I go. Will it really? I'm not asking for things to be perfect, just 50% decent so that I can enjoy my life outside of work instead of dreading the next day I have to come back everytime I set foot out of my unit. I hope that's more details for everyone that responded. Any suggestions or advice?

happthearts · Jan 30, 2005

I was burned out and I did change to another specialty. I just need a break for awhile from the hospital .I now do less Pt care just set up care plans for home health and do marketing we are major busy company But I sleep well now and I love my boss and job. and no more tummy trouble .

BETSRN · Jan 30, 2005

Thanks to all who responded! I'm not sure if I'm burned out or if I need to change to another specialty. I'm in a burn unit and I chose the unit as my first job because it had so much to offer, or so it seemed! My unit is a mixed unit with ICU, step-down, and floor acuity levels as well as peds and adults. When I was done with nursing school, everything interested me, but I didn't know what I wanted to do so I picked the burn unit due to the variety of acuity, patient populations, as well as the experience in wound care. Now, I find that I don't get much help doing wound care, I'm overly uncomfortable with acute situations in the ICU, because my orientation sucked and the management on the unit is terrible. The staffing is usually low and I find myself living up to the standards of my nursing instructors and going that extra mile, but it's humanly impossible and I'm so frustrated! Frustrated to the point that I don't know that I want to be a nurse anymore! This is my second degree and I was so excited throughout nursing school because I loved it so much. Now, I'm going through a huge disappointment and I don't know what to do. So many nurses tell me that these problems will be everywhere I go. Will it really? I'm not asking for things to be perfect, just 50% decent so that I can enjoy my life outside of work instead of dreading the next day I have to come back everytime I set foot out of my unit. I hope that's more details for everyone that responded. Any suggestions or advice?

There are lots of wonerful units, lots of excellent managers and lots of satisfied nurses. Nursing is a second career for me,too, but it is the best thing I ever did.

Keep in mind that many (not all) nursing instructors haven't been real floor nurses for a long time. I thjink lots of students burn out because things are so different when they get into the real world.

I would takae a deep breath, take a look around and look at some other nursing specialties, hospitals, meet new managers, etc. You've already ahd soe good experience that will give you a foundation.

Take it slow and don't give up. You would be throwing so much away!

sun_chica · Feb 7, 2005

I can totally relate to you...I'm in almost the same situation! Been a nurse for 6 months, start 2 months in med surg (8-10pts on Nights), then relocated & worked 4 months on a telemetry units & occasional m/s pts (7-10 pts, usually 8-9). It was horrible there, so I just began a new hospital 3 weeks ago. now I work in PCU (nursing ratio 4-5 pts). I DREADED going to work at my last job, I would end up in tears more days than not. My new job seems lil' better, howerver it's too early to tell.

my only advise, it that my sister's best friend hated nursing the first 6-9months & by 1- 1.5yrs, she loved her job! I'm trying to stick in there (I have to til my husband finishes his degree), I figure I'll give it 1 yr, like you I HATE NURSING right now!!!!

There are soo many different avenues, but I'm finding you need years of experience or your master's. My issue is that I refuse to further my education in an area that I dislike so much...whose to say I won't hate the advance job I get! Agh...I feel your pain!