Running on Empty

[apetrell]

Hello! I do hope I can post on this. I am a new nursing student, on an assignment to join a nursing listserv. I am sorry if I am out of line posting here, but this topic really spoke to me. As I mentioned, I recently started nursing school. Already, I am struggling with burnout and feeling inadequate. Even though I'm sure all of you nurses have to go through much more stress than me at this point, but I think you have all been where I'm at. Most days, I feel like I am running on empty and I wind up spiritually drained. I am drawing from my own cup, so to speak. Your article, and many of the comments as well, have given me some peace and helped me see that I have to maintain a balance and not allow myself to become drained. As I move along in my education and career, I know this will become even more important, as I will be having to take care of others and cannot let my burnout affect them. Thank you for this article!

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

Hello! I do hope I can post on this. I am a new nursing student, on an assignment to join a nursing listserv. I am sorry if I am out of line posting here, but this topic really spoke to me. As I mentioned, I recently started nursing school. Already, I am struggling with burnout and feeling inadequate. Even though I'm sure all of you nurses have to go through much more stress than me at this point, but I think you have all been where I'm at. Most days, I feel like I am running on empty and I wind up spiritually drained. I am drawing from my own cup, so to speak. Your article, and many of the comments as well, have given me some peace and helped me see that I have to maintain a balance and not allow myself to become drained. As I move along in my education and career, I know this will become even more important, as I will be having to take care of others and cannot let my burnout affect them. Thank you for this article!

Thank you for your note and you are not out of line! It is important to learn to reach out to other nurses for support--from the beginning. As with any profession, getting started can be stressful and very intense. During school and your training, be especially vigilant about eating right, getting enough sleep, and attending to your spiritual needs, so that you can remain open to learning the material and interacting with co-workers and patients. I wish you the very best in your career. Joy

[Sensibility, BSN, RN]

I can totally relate to this post. The days that my patient's parents derail on me and just want to attack anyone who happens to be there, which is me. The days that I feel so overwhelmed that I can't get everything done that is mandatory to get done while at the same time giving excellent customer service and then at the end of all of that being told that it wasn't enough because the parents complained that they were not attended to immediately. I have not been to church in 5 years because of working night shift. I spend time in the Word daily and I spend time with my Lord Jesus but have not had a nickel's worth of fellowship except with my husband, which is good. We are both strong believers. For that, I am grateful. When coworkers start talking behind my back for no reason, I feel totally and completely spent. My legs hurt. My body aches and my heart is broken. Few people ever show any kind of gratefulness. Nursing is not what people think it is. It is the most selfless job on planet earth. I do not believe I could do this job well without Jesus. No way. Songs that I sing on the way to work that minister to me say, "Lord, I need you!"

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

I can totally relate to this post. The days that my patient's parents derail on me and just want to attack anyone who happens to be there, which is me. The days that I feel so overwhelmed that I can't get everything done that is mandatory to get done while at the same time giving excellent customer service and then at the end of all of that being told that it wasn't enough because the parents complained that they were not attended to immediately. I have not been to church in 5 years because of working night shift. I spend time in the Word daily and I spend time with my Lord Jesus but have not had a nickel's worth of fellowship except with my husband, which is good. We are both strong believers. For that, I am grateful. When coworkers start talking behind my back for no reason, I feel totally and completely spent. My legs hurt. My body aches and my heart is broken. Few people ever show any kind of gratefulness. Nursing is not what people think it is. It is the most selfless job on planet earth. I do not believe I could do this job well without Jesus. No way. Songs that I sing on the way to work that minister to me say, "Lord, I need you!"

Dear Sensibility, My heart goes out to you because in so many ways nursing can be a lonely journey. As you point out, we are often more apt to highlight the few things that did not get done rather than to focus on and lift up the beauty of our many interactions with others. My God bless you with renewal and refreshment. I hope that you find a small group--even if not on a Sunday--to fellowship with. As a Jesus disciple in this day and time, we continue to need that group support from each other. Blessings on you.

[NursingNerd1]

I love this and really needed to read it.