Starting to burn out

[evilolive, BSN, RN]

A rant, and a call for advice from my fellow Med-Surg'ers.

I have been working 12 hour nights at my hospital for a year and a half. Over the past year we have had a MAJOR turnover of staff. We've lost about 4-6 excellent nurses who were able to be charge. Somewhere around 8 months into my time on my floor, I took on the role of charge RN overnight. I would still take a full patient assignment (5 patients at most). Life was good. I began to take steps to be a better me and a better nurse. I felt positive about being in charge, as I worked with more than competent staff. Everyone could manage themselves pretty well.

Shortly after, I was given the role of preceptor. This generally went okay, but it was a big stress to precept/act as charge/take my own patient assignment. On a positive note, I was only in charge maybe one night a week while precepting, and luckily I had a wonderful new grad who grabbed the job by the balls and took every opportunity to learn and not drown in her work.

Lately, things have changed drastically. There are currently four nurses who can be in charge - one of these nurses does one night a week only, the other does weekend nights (Friday and Saturday), there is one FT nurse, and me. The weekend nurse is going on maternity leave in February. This will leave me and the other FT nurse do be in charge EVERY shift we work.

My manager is aware of our staffing issues. I was hoping she would hire an experienced night nurse who, following orientation, would be able to take on the charge role to help lighten the load. No. She hired yet another new grad. According to my manager I will begin precepting her in February.

I feel so burnt out. As soon as things finally start to smooth out with the latest new nurses it all begins again. The girl who is "next in line" to be charge can't possibly take on that role anytime in the near future. Not ready. The other new grads are there to get their year experience and then "move on." In a nutshell I am being forced to be in charge while precepting again, still managing the newbies, with the added bonus of our census increasing next month. The nurse going on maternity leave is taking four months off. *sigh*

I am about ready to look for a new job, or at least a new floor. Has anyone had similar experiences, and if so, how did you cope? I am thinking Tele might be a nice change if a position ever opens up. I am not going to work with an experienced floor nurse for the next four months. That seems like some sick form of torture.

[Guest296136]

You have the right to refuse a new grad to precept, I also work nights and run into the same problems except as charge we don't take patients, so I can't imagine taking an assignment, precepting and being charge. All nurses after 2 years experience must train for charge incase of emergency which is a good policy, maybe you could suggest this to your manager.

If you don't get a break maybe it is time to use some sick days or transfer to another unit.

Good luck

[LRyder]

Sounds like a bit of an overload to me. I can only imagine the stress.

I say consider finding another floor if you really enjoy where you work. Do what you have to do; you can't be at your absolute best as a nurse if you're not able to take care of yourself first.

Good luck!