Sick and tired of being sick and tired

Euskadi1946 · Jul 21, 2004

I'm tired of ending my 12-14 hr shift feeling as if I didn't accomplish all the things that I wanted to get done. Tired of have 2 new surg. pts that will need autotransfustions on top of 2 new post heart cath patients. Hopeing that they won't bleed out on me behind my back. And please don't let the little lady with dementia sneak out the door again. New admits, patients waiting on discharge papers patiently, yeah right. I'm tired of having my heart race a million miles an hr with SVT and unifocal PVC's, from stress ya know. I don't want to have to be on antidepressants just to get my but back to the hospital. I want my innocence back. I want to feel that I can make a difference like I did as a new RN grad. I wish I had the answers to fix all of these things. Instead I sit here, on my computer, on my day off, with my heart racing and a stomach ache because I have to go back to work. I love being a nurse, but I hate my job. Can anyone empathize? :rotfl: I feel like I'm losing it!

I hear Ya Okla.Nurse!! When I graduated from nursing school I was also excited about my patients and how much I wanted to help them. I had wanted to go into L/D but was told to get a year of med/surg under my belt which I did. Actually I have 3 yrs of med/surg and 4 yrs of ob/gyn, 4 yrs of case management under my belt. My first job was on an integrated nepchrology/med/surg unit and boy did I get my baptism of fire there. I burned out in 3 months and was looking for a new job anywhere and everywhere. I did some ob/gyn clinic, did med/surg with an agency, post partum. However, the experience I got was worth it. I'm now behind a desk with the State of Utah in a different type of nursing, case management, with human being hours, weekends and holidays off. I took a big cut in pay to leave the hospital. But my stress level and my blood pressure have gone down. Do I miss my patients, yes I do, but not the staffing situation, politics, favoritism and nightmares of possibly missing doing what I was supposed to do with a patient. In my line of work I'm making a difference in people's lives without all the above mentioned hassles. If you're that burned out, you need to look into another line of nursing. Good Luck and God Bless~!!! :)

cannoli · Jul 21, 2004

I can empathize.

Brita01 · Jul 21, 2004

So can I. Which is exactly why I took myself out of that situation. It's awful to dread going to work everyday.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2004

I hear you loud and clear. Best wishes.

gerinurse10 · Jul 21, 2004

Get out of that situation. For so long I envied the "hospital nurses" I was just a homecare nurse who actually worked normal hours, set my own pace and had one on one contact with patients. I soon figured out that it wasn't all great being in the hospital. I hear so many of these stories of burn out. So unhealthy. We are nurses we should know better. Start thinking about yourself first and look for another job. Move on. Set a plan and act on it, this will help you get through your upcoming shifts because you'll know there is light at the end of the tunnel. There are so many opportunities out there for us you just have to make the move. Good Luck to you.

husker-nurse, LPN, LVN · Jul 22, 2004

The only solution I see for you is to find another position; unfortunately, the problem still exists, but will no longer affect you! Best wishes for a HAPPY future........

mattsmom81 · Jul 22, 2004

Some places are definitely worse than others, so suggest you expand your horizons. We all know where you are coming from, I'd wager, and can relate.

Also consider if you are a type A person and thus are BEING driven too hard...and you need to adjust your own expectations as well as set boundaries in the workplace.

(((HUGS))) and best wishes from another nurse. Lots of folks have left the profession entirely for the reasons you describe; only you know if its right for you to do that, or to just look for a job better suited to you.

weetziebat · Jul 22, 2004

oh, yeah - big time empathy :uhoh3:

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[color=#483d8b]there are better jobs out there. don't keep putting yourself through this.

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[color=#483d8b]good luck.

CHATSDALE · Jul 22, 2004

hospital work is very rewarding but it is also very stressful...the other posts are right...maybe it is time to move on...there should be other jobs in your hospital or try somewhere new if you can't get a transfer inhouse....by the way make a list of everything that you have found negative and when you tired of new job take out that list and read it a couple of times

Mister Chris, MSN, NP · Jul 22, 2004

I'm tired of ending my 12-14 hr shift feeling as if I didn't accomplish all the things that I wanted to get done...................................................................................................... I love being a nurse, but I hate my job. Can anyone empathize? :rotfl: I feel like I'm losing it!

Yes Yes Yes 'bin there an done that' but I survived! I'm sure there are some scars somewhere in or on me but I survived. In a way I am glad to have had the experience and can look back and honestly be empathetic towards you and all the other nurses struggling mentally, physically and emotionally with their work. I too have considered myself as an efficient, capable and dedicated nurse, but sometimes wish that there had been a hand on my shoulder and a voice saying in my ear "Wow! you are so great, please let me have the privilege to give you a helping hand" - Yes we are Nurses and that is what we do. I love being a nurse too, but now after many years I can at last choose my job.

I love you guys, please hang in there. Mabe think of me, or someone else who has given you help in the past as that majic touch on your shoulder to give you the extra energy to cope when you need it.

Big Hugs.

Mister Chris. :kiss

hipab4hands · Jul 22, 2004

I think we've all been there at one time or another.

I know in one of my previous jobs, I would cry every day after leaving work, because I felt I had shortchanged my patients. I managed to hang on for about 9 months and then hit my breaking point. I left that job and worked in private physician's offices and clinics.

Even though my current job pays well, and the working conditions aren't too bad, there are still days when I have to force myself to get into the car and drive to work.

By the way, don't discount the use of antidepressants, as least for a little while. They can help you feel better, so that you can make good decisions. It's hard to make good choices, when you feel emotionally drained.