New nurse burned out

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I have been a nurse for about a year and a half working medical/surgical telemetry. We take pediatric patients and specialize in bariatric surgery. We have also been the designated unit for any patients with COVID-19 not requiring ICU care. It has been a challenging yet great learning experience.

However, the turnover is high, and I am feeling very burnt out at what I feel is a very early stage of my career. As soon as I hit my one year, I started searching for other positions. However, I have been turned down for 15+ jobs stating “at least one year of experience required.” What am I missing? I have talked to recruiters in my area and had them view my resume, which they state looks great. I am struggling, and do not know what to do. In my heart I know I’m meant to be a nurse, and I know I am a good nurse. I have this overwhelming urge to leave the field despite these feelings. What do I do?

Dear Burnt Out,

Acute care nursing may be at the hardest and most stressful it's ever been, with COVID. 

Is it possible to change units within your own hospital? Changing specialties is a good remedy for burnout because it's a re-boot.

You start fresh with new colleagues, and a different patient population. You return to a learning mode, which energizes you. 

You can also volunteer to precept a new grad for the same reason. It focuses your energies outwards, which is an antidote for burnout.

Best wishes, and I hope you don't leave nursing. Sometimes a good change is just around the corner.

Nurse Beth