totaly burnt out

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jul 1, 2004

Hi to everyone. I am a RN of almost 10 years. I have ventured in many arenas. I am now at the cross-roads. I am fed-up with the buerocracy . I have changed jobs many times in the last 2 years and I think I am at the end of my rope. I love giving of myself and the passion that I have for nursing. But I am tiered. Any advice? Please

I know how you feel (very well, actually). Have you thought about/tried working as an agency nurse or a traveler? It has really helped me fend off burnout. I can go in to work, do my job, not get involved in "hospital politics" and go home. No committees to join, no bickering over holidays, did I mention no hospital politics? because that one is a big deal for me.

Hope things get better for you. I have thought of leaving nursing altogether many times. I keep coming back because I'm addicted to the lifestyle of working only a few days per week and being (marginally) well-compensated. I think for what I do, I deserve more money, but this wonderful society of ours values Major League Baseball more than they do their own health :rolleyes:

I've changed specialties (and changed back) and changed specialties again (and changed back again, LOL). Sometimes a change of pace or learning something new helps, but by nature, that usually involves accepting a FT staff position. I just don't have that in me anymore - at least not at this point. Maintaining interests outside of nursing keeps me sane. I think having a release, or an outlet, for the stress and frustration is very important.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jul 1, 2004

Hi to everyone. I am a RN of almost 10 years. I have ventured in many arenas. I am now at the cross-roads. I am fed-up with the buerocracy . I have changed jobs many times in the last 2 years and I think I am at the end of my rope. I love giving of myself and the passion that I have for nursing. But I am tiered. Any advice? Please

I know how you feel (very well, actually). Have you thought about/tried working as an agency nurse or a traveler? It has really helped me fend off burnout. I can go in to work, do my job, not get involved in "hospital politics" and go home. No committees to join, no bickering over holidays, did I mention no hospital politics? because that one is a big deal for me.

Hope things get better for you. I have thought of leaving nursing altogether many times. I keep coming back because I'm addicted to the lifestyle of working only a few days per week and being (marginally) well-compensated. I think for what I do, I deserve more money, but this wonderful society of ours values Major League Baseball more than they do their own health :rolleyes:

I've changed specialties (and changed back) and changed specialties again (and changed back again, LOL). Sometimes a change of pace or learning something new helps, but by nature, that usually involves accepting a FT staff position. I just don't have that in me anymore - at least not at this point. Maintaining interests outside of nursing keeps me sane. I think having a release, or an outlet, for the stress and frustration is very important.

TraumaInTheSlot · Jul 3, 2004

try and concentrate on the satisfaction you get from making a difference in one persons life as a nurse. all that other beurocracy is just BS,

sounds like u need a vacation. if not, then try doing one thing for yourself once a week to help you relax. massage does it for me! good luck

TraumaInTheSlot · Jul 3, 2004

try and concentrate on the satisfaction you get from making a difference in one persons life as a nurse. all that other beurocracy is just BS,

sounds like u need a vacation. if not, then try doing one thing for yourself once a week to help you relax. massage does it for me! good luck

Blackcat99 · Jul 3, 2004

I was totally burned out with nursing so I took a job as a paid volunteer with Ameri-Corps. I tutor children at an elementary school in reading. The pay is terrible so you have to have some savings in the bank to survive. However, I am returning to nursing in August and I feel taking a break from nursing for 11 months was a great idea! Good luck to you!

Blackcat99 · Jul 3, 2004

I was totally burned out with nursing so I took a job as a paid volunteer with Ameri-Corps. I tutor children at an elementary school in reading. The pay is terrible so you have to have some savings in the bank to survive. However, I am returning to nursing in August and I feel taking a break from nursing for 11 months was a great idea! Good luck to you!

godivalady · Jul 5, 2004

Thank You

I have taken a week off of work and what a difference. I still feel burnt , but not so tence. I will try to apply a little of what you each offered and let the "freedom ring"....lol I have a great boyfriend and now a great ear to lean on in my peers. Thank you so much for taking time for me...Thank you..(((group hug)))

DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 6, 2004

Have you considered doing something totally different, even if just for a while as a career break? Can you afford to do this?

I felt like you a few years back. I did a certificate in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and spent two years teaching in a language school. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but coming back to nursing after a break was like re-discovering the job all over again. The break was just what I needed.

Leaving nursing doesn't have to be for ever, though many do find more fulfillment elsewhere. Looking at the current nursing shortage in nearly all the developed countries, I don't think we need have worries about finding nursing jobs again.

jRN4now · Jul 7, 2004

I think in our profession that we have chosen there are many many nurses who are burnt out... I have many co-workers who are tired of working hard for little pay when other departments are often paid more, lack of respect for the profession that unfortunately many have developed,:angryfire despite that fact what we do is save people's lives day in and day out (this sadens me and angers me all at the same time!).., many are tired of giving up their weekends and holidays. and so on and so forth! I have tried working in different departments and have tried registery and travel nursing... For me, I have decided that I am going to go back to school and either advance my degree to an FNP or I am going to completely do something totally different. I love taking care of my patients but unfortunately when you are burnt out and most of the people around you are burnt out it's time, work is not fun to go to anymore.... :crying2:

Good luck to you and I hope you find something that makes you happy!!

mattsmom81 · Jul 7, 2004

I agree agency and travel nursing is a great way to cope with today's nursing woes. I go in and listen to the staff bytching about the facility/unit politics and I can stay OUT of it all, I just do my work and care for my patients and I leave. And perdiem agency work is especially great...we never have to go back if it was a hellhole.

Seems like when we get on staff we get sucked into the dysfunction whether we want to or not.....

I've now decided I will likely stay fulltime agency for the rest of my career...i've told my hubby next time i talk about getting on staff he just needs to kick me...hard.

hipab4hands · Jul 7, 2004

. Maintaining interests outside of nursing keeps me sane. I think having a release, or an outlet, for the stress and frustration is very important.

This has been my personal secret for years. I have a fixer up house, and spend much of my off time working on the house. I also travel as often as possible- even if its only for a weekend. The fact that I can get away from all the chaos for 48 hrs makes a big difference.

It's difficult being in healthcare for that long. I know some days I really have to force myself to get in my car and drive to work. However, I've reduced my work hours , and it makes the workplace more tolerable-knowing I don't have to be there for 40+ hrs a week.