Yes... Feel bad for saying it, but yeah. I've worked in inpatient psych, nights, for over 6 months now. I can't sleep. I rarely see my friends anymore because of the weird hours. Or, if I do, I have to stay awake for 24+ hours. It's almost impossible for me to take time away. Work every other holiday without holiday pay. No opportunity for growth thats outside management (unless you go back to school for NP).
That, and I feel like I'm making absolutely zero difference. Psych seems like a rotating door. People come in for a few days. Go back out. Come back in. Either they are not motivated to change their lifestyle, or they don't take their medications (even after lots of 'motivational interviewing'), or the medications simply don't work, or some combination of these things. All the time I ask myself, "What am I doing for these people?" I feel like I'm just providing a place for people to stay for a couple days, not treating their conditions.
Finally, my work is so slow paced. I find myself sweeping the floors, cleaning countertops most nights to keep myself awake. I see these posts where people are overwhelmed by how many sick patients they have, how busy they are with cares, and I'm a bit jealous. (Six months in, is it better to be overwhelmed or bored to tears?)
I'm trying to find another job that would challenge me, or at least be better hours, but the nursing market is bust. THERE IS NO NURSING SHORTAGE! And I can't list my current job as a reference because I can't let my manager find out I'm searching.
I really like health, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and how that applies to nursing skills, but I find I use my knowledge in these areas only 25% of the time. The rest is spent calling insurance companies, calling admissions, making sure this and that paperwork is signed.... and, of course, night shift cleaning and stocking.
I'm really considering looking outside nursing for work.