I have been a nurse for 2.5 years. I feel so burnt out at the moment. I love being a nurse and I do feel like it's my calling, but sometimes I feel like I chose the wrong career. Is it normal to feel burnt out so early on?
I think that with COVID-19 and now the nursing shortage, there is a lot of stress going around. Maybe try changing the type of nursing that you are doing in order to get a fresh start. Remember why you are doing this career and the good things and that may help some.
You’re starting out during an unusually difficult period. Stress has increased lots lately and burnout has become far more common at all levels of experience.
We’ll have to deal with COVID far longer than we deserve, but it will end. The Flu a century ago was simply catastrophic, and still people bounced back, so much so that most of us don’t even know much about it.
We’ll each have to adapt & persevere as best we can. Some are changing jobs or even retiring, more each day. Most of us still keep on plugging away for our patients for as long as we can.
There are no easy answers, and you are far from alone.
It’s possible you feel this way because of the pandemic. It has taken it toll on just about everyone, especially healthcare professionals. In my case I did floor nursing for 35 years before venturing into case management. For me it was the physical aspect. Even as an RN I did a lot of lifting and bathing & feeding, not to mention the skills part of my job. I didn’t always have a CNA. Therefore I did everything for the patients.
I felt the exact same way after 2.5 years. I had serious compassion fatigue. I was ready to quit nursing altogether. I took the advice from another nurse, who had many more years of experience, and she said before I quit, to try a different floor or field of nursing. I'm so so glad I listened. She changed the course of my life forever. I worked med-surg for 2.5 years hating it, then ended up working in the operating room for 5 years and loved it.
Perhaps, the area you are working in right now is not where you need to be. I was burned out after a year during the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco. I decided to try registry. I rediscovered my love for nursing and found that pediatrics was where I needed to be. There is no shame in looking into other areas. You are still a new nurse. Find your niche. Good luck.
Little early probably 10 years would be closer to normal. Suggestion- try to get MSN and start teaching.
We all get burned out. The COVID-19 virus has made it hard on everyone. I would ask, "What are you doing for yourself?"
When on a boat, the rule is one hand for the boat, the other is for you. Sometimes, you have to let go of the boat and save yourself. Are you talking to your family and friends about things other than work? Vacation? Exercising?
Yes! And that probably means it’s time to change! Go to a different unit, try something new!
Nursing is so taxing. The act of caring leaves a little bit of yourself with every patient. I found that Neo ICU + 12hr shifts left me empty & emotional. I changed areas to provide some relief. I would recommend either looking for another area (maybe outpatient setting) and also consider ways that add to your “care bank.” Gardening, hiking, spending time with your dog, road trip etc. Find something that can recharge you. Good luck and hang in there!
You started in nursing at the height of a pandemic. This put you in a highr-than-usual early burnout risk. I am also a health coach and work with health care professionals. The best thing you can do is some daily self care—take a long shower, go to bed early, eat your meals at home slowly (chew each bite 20+times) and without distraction. Sounds simple, but can really help you when done on a regular basis.