Plantar fasciitis, sciatica, gastritis, Yes, I've had them all!
I've also had nightmares of the aspirin I hadn't given while eyeballing the patient with shortness of breath in another room.
Tasks, procedures, complaints, a full bladder with no lunch can equal nurse burnout!
Consequently, you ask yourself, WHY did I become a NURSE?
Age old question huh...
I'll tell you why you become a nurse
You wanted to work weekends, holidays, and your birthday! Right?
No, you became a nurse because you like helping, you like helping patients!
You help people in their worst states of pain, desperation, anxiety, fear, depression, loss of life, stress, violence, guilt and surprise.
You became a nurse because..
You got addicted to patients who genuinely thank you. You feel good about advocating for patients that need more pain medication,
You help the person with SOB take a deep breath.
You like the team work it takes to run a successful code!
And giving stickers to a toddler, suddenly makes you super
nurse.
So how do you handle nurse burnout? What has worked for you and most importantly how do you stay engaged and empathic in your profession without getting too tainted?
My secret? Like other posters mentioned. Remember why I chose this profession in the first place.
Everyone has something that works for them.
I think our own personal "WHY" is key to doing our job, and doing it well. Unfortunately, I have seen many nurses that have become tainted and have decreased their degree of professionalism and old fashioned patient care in nursing. We must keep our "WHY" in mind.
I took a six year break from the hospital. I was really burnt and crispy. Have since spent my time working home health and hospice. I've recently just returned to the ER and I'm feeling very energized being back, and raring to go.
I've looked at emergency care in the past for me as kind of a codependent relationship. I love it while hating it.
With that said, I'm no longer worried about the frustrations of the position as I now know I can walk away and find other compelling work.
Essentially, the greatest aspect of nursing is it's diversity. There are tons of other fields to explore and keep in mind the ER isn't going away. Also, my time spent in home care has expanded and diversified my skill set. Most importantly it allowed me to find the "why" again. I now appreciate how much our patients detest being in the hospital. I can guarantee this knowledge will impact my nursing care in a positive manner.
Cliffs Notes version: if you're that unhappy find work in another specialty for a while. It should recharge your battery.
I have to be kind of frank here. The only reason I became a nurse was cuz I thought it would make good money. Sucks to be, but helping people doesn't do me any pleasure at all. I can go into a coding child and do the best of my job and the result won't faze or please me at all... That's where I am at and I know I am in completely wrong field, but I'm young so just work a little until I find different field. I had patients and family truly show that they are truly thankful (as rare that is), but that doesn't bring me any pleasure. I pray that I find something that I can enjoy... I think the big thing for me us regulation and charting. It's like you are trying the best to help yet administration rebuke you for charting and constantly feel like being watched. Honestly I wish for a chance to go to third world country where I can really do what I do instead of doing it here and be regulated by it, afraid I haven't charted something or worry about putting a wrong label on tubes.
I don't have to provide health insurance for a family, and I rent out my house so my mortgage gets paid. I love the freedom of not having a regular FT work schedule! If I don't want to work, I don't work. I have to work enough to pay the few bills I have and to be able to go out to dinner, see concerts or plays, and travel, but I'm not tied in to a regular schedule. I don't have to ask for vacation time. I just tell my employer I'm not available. It's the best kept secret in nursing, IMO.
My secret to burn out was to become a travel RN. I've been a nurse 5 years, with 4 years in the ED and becoming a travel nurse helped me a lot with being burned out. I was becoming very jaded and it got so bad that I just didnt look forward to going to work anymore. Now that I travel, I look forward to the new challenges and I travel to places that provide a lot of activities for me to do on my off days. I have found that I have a love for nature that I wouldnt have otherwise known if I wouldnt have traveled. For my peace of mind, I prefer to hike in the mountains or sit on a beach. And I get to change jobs every 2-3 months so I won't get burned out.
For my home job, I went to PRN status and only work the required hours to keep my status up. And I mean I only work the bare minimum.
I've lost my "why". I've become so burned out that I'm thinking about talking to our EAP.
I hope you can get to the root of the burnout and try to overcome. We lose so many nurses in our ER that it is troubling. I don't know if it's some wisdom over the years, but lately (within the last month), I have realized that my coworkers are what really can grate on me. I find that when they are negative, it just seeps into me. I hate it. So, what I've made a conscious effort to do is to walk away.
Walk away when conversations get catty. Walk away when someone is ********. Try to not get involved, keeping the banter light. I know everyone else is also tired, hungry, and just over it. I am really pushing myself to smile more, say please and thank you EVERY time (which I try to do anyway) and really just move more into my own head and think of how I can change my attitude, rather than anyone else's.
I find those that I work with who are quiet, or more reserved, don't get involved in the banter or bickering. I find that I want to be more like that, so that's what I'm doing. I'm actively separating myself from those groups that tend to form together when the *itch-fest begins. I know that people will talk about me, since those that talk, talk about everyone. I think I need to ignore most and keep my home life sacred. I like a few people at work (they generally have kids also), and they tend to get that work and home need to be separated. I think social networking with work is a huge mistake, but alas I hear most people at work talking about others' facebook posts. What a sad generation, actually, that overshares in regards to their working life.
Anyway, I'm here if you want to chat - send me a message. I feel like I'm always working on ways to keep the balance. I know, for me, really enjoying my days off helps me find my balance. I try to really let go of work. I don't really hang out with coworkers and try to not talk about my work (much.) I also advise not to share too much of your personal life with your coworkers.
A change of scenery helps keep things fresh. After 9 months as an ED RN in a filthy, hostile place in Afghanistan, I find most things back in my stateside ED to be incredibly tolerable!
A change of scenery helps keep things fresh. After 9 months as an ED RN in a filthy, hostile place in Afghanistan, I find most things back in my stateside ED to be incredibly tolerable!
So happy you came back safe and sound! Welcome home and thank you for your service.
I love the idea stated that you must look at it "shift by shift" Yes! This has worked for me since I started as a tech...also...each day is 24 hrs...its always "challenging" working with humans, so in my 24 day I make sure I eat healthy get enough sun and exercise and solitude and connect with "other" humans outside the work world....and the most important-enough sleep...all that for me as well as continuing to challenge myself with new ideas/education/hobbies. ..means no burn out thus far! Onward!
Nursepreneur
44 Posts
I think our own personal "WHY" is key to doing our job, and doing it well. Unfortunately, I have seen many nurses that have become tainted and have decreased their degree of professionalism and old fashioned patient care in nursing. We must keep our "WHY" in mind.