Should I quit? Help!!

Published

Specializes in LTC, Surgical Dermatology.

I have been working in a SNF/LTC facility for 7 years. Due to a lot of recent changes, it has become almost unbearable. The work load is unbelievable. I'm a shift superviser but am also responsible for 26 patients--2 med passes, txs, etc. We have no unit clerk, so faxing/filing/other tasks like that are also my responsibility, and any staffing issues that may arise.

After 7 years, I feel truly burned out! I love my patients and coworkers, but there is an inordinate amount of drama and nonsense. I work under an administrator who no longer cares because he is retiring. It seems he is trying to dump as much work as possible on us before he leaves. It's a mess. There are several grossly incompetent nurses and issues that the DON just won't address. The stress and anxiety is just about killing me. The problem is, due to my high anxiety I have a tremendous phobia of starting somewhere new. I turned down job offers twice at a great facility in my area just because I was so petrified to start all over again.

My question is: should I suck it up and just quit? Normally I'd never leave a job without something else lined up, but I feel that due to the heavy toll this is taking on my mental health I may have to. Financially I would be able to take a couple months off, regroup, and find a new position. Recruiters call me all the time. Is this a bad idea? Will it look bad to prospective employers if I am not currently working, say, if I did take a few months off for a break?

Alternately, I could transition to a pool position...that way I could stay on staff but not be working full time. Should I cut my hours to part time for now? I'm miserable. I dread going to work daily. I feel that so much gets dumped on me, and I'm constantly cleaning up after those who leave work undone, e.g. lab results that come in on my day off---never called in to the physician. There are a lot of issues like that.

Any advice or words of wisdom would be sincerely appreciated. I feel lost right now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think I would try to take a leave of absence. If that isn't available, I would turn in my notice. Take some time to rest, focus on managing your anxiety and then move on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

After 7 years, I feel truly burned out!

This tells me all that I need to know. You have reached the point where you are overloaded, and you need to get out of the situation. Staying for the patients won't help your personal well being. If you are burned out, they aren't getting your best anyway. Dreading every day is no way to live. Save your own sanity.

Long term care facilities are notorious for overloading their employees, underpaying them and providing inadequate support - the main reason that I left LTC after a fairly short time. Three months as the only RN on a 120-bed unit was enough.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

(duplicate post)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Surgical Dermatology.

Thank you! I think I truly knew the answer in my heart, but I didn't want to do anything rash or in the heat of a frustrated moment. For my own health I need to get out. I see that now. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Surgical Dermatology.

Thank you so much for the input. Very good idea. It's time to look out for myself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion