I'm a Nurse and I'm burnt out.

[HorridHenree]

I'm back to work tonight on night shift and I feel sick and anxious thinking about it.

I love the job, but so fed up with the service I work in.

Not sure what I'm expecting people to reply... I am just venting.

I have no advice. I’m a nurse and feel exactly the same. Have used a lot of annual leave lately and wish I had more.

There are so many different jobs you can do in nursing. Take some time and look around.
What is your current role?
How long have you been qualified?
Things are awful at the moment, but there are still jobs for clinical nurse specialists, community nurses, practice nurses for example.

Qualified for 12 years and working in a high secure unit with male offenders. Our unit was also told during the pandemic that that it's closing down and we are all being redeployed.

Me too I just can’t take anymore and now I know people couldn’t give a toss about us even less so .

Would it be an option to take some parental leave? I’ve booked 4 weeks unpaid as I’m also feeling burnt out with Covid workload (different part of public sector).

No pay rises for us either and yet more pay restraint on the way

I'm not sure what the answer is. I can request leave, or alternatively go off sick, but I am so conscious of the work load I have, including being an assessor to final year student. The sense of responsibility is overwhelming. It's nothing I can't handle from a competency perspective, but every little task at the moment feels like such a chore.

to all in a similar boat.

@ichifanny

Me too I just can’t take anymore and now I know people couldn’t give a toss about us even less so .

ichi. Can I ask...what do you mean by this, or I guess, why do you feel like this?

@Fightthebear what do you do?

@HorridHenree I'm sorry you're feeling like this. Have you any idea where you might be moved to? What do you think you'd like to do?

It's sad to hear so many people feeling unhappy & undervalued 😔

I wonder if this is what people feel like in other jobs? Is it normal to feel so under valued? I'm not looking for praise, it's more than that. Issues are at strategic level.

Civil service. No time off since February due to Covid workload, many excess hours worked, and getting to the stage where I’m struggling to make decisions.

I think take the leave and management will have to get cover for the work.

@ChippingIn thank you. I have an idea where I will go. It's not somewhere I aspire to work, but will go and will give it my all.

I want to advance my career, but the nepotism in the service I work in is rife.

Take the time off and leave, I was in local government and new job feels like paddling in luke warm water with an ice cream and getting paid for it.

I. Shit. You. Not!

Please do not make yourself ill over your job, it will never be worth it.

@Timeforabiscuit

You're right. I know I have to leave. It's helpful to see it written out so bluntly. Thank you.

I did 26 years in nursing. Now in a lower paid but much nicer job with school holidays off. Honestly just plan your exit and get a new job.

HorridHenree what do you want to do, not a compromise side move - but actually do with your time? and how close do you think you could get to that, or get a plan to that?

If you can't think or dream and just feel numb and teary - take time off.

there are people who care... unfortunately we’re not in a position to influence anything. I clapped for you, I stayed home, I signed all the petitions for nurses and am gutted you didn’t get recognised with any financial reward. I’m extremely grateful for my experiences with the NHS and have so many individuals within the organisation to be thankful for. I wish I could do something to change things for you.

In terms of being in a job where I feel undervalued- I get it. I’m in one of the most hated professions and constantly being told I don’t work hard and don’t deserve my pay and regularly read hate filled media who try to paint us as stupid lazy and worthless. It’s horrible. I hang onto the fact that I know why I do my job and I know I work hard so there’s no need to justify it to anyone else.

I hope you don’t burn out. Try to find a way to recover and take some time for you... and I don’t mean in the scented candle and bubble-bath type way but in a way where you really have your needs met and a chance to restore yourself. Take care!

Just realised it might not be nhs you work for...but the sentiment still stands.

@Timeforabiscuit you've hit the nail on the head. I don't want to just make a side move into another role with the same issues. I have ambition, but after numerous failed job interviews (always given excellent feedback, but never successful) I've lost confidence in applying for what I actually want.

I still want to be a nurse.

Thank you @whatelsecanipossiblydo

I'm sorry you too have a difficult time work-wise.

Exactly as whatelsecanipossiblydo puts it, people chat a lot of nonsense about the "flexibility", "pay" and "pension" - it amounts to a pile of nothing if you're regularly in tears, trying to patch fill a service which is barely there.

Also, the one about the commaraderie

• I knew it was bad when I couldn't remember the last time I smiled at work, or enjoyed being there.

You can persevere and get those roles, but are you going for these roles in the same organisation as you are currently in?

It's tough being the shiny new hire brought in to Invigorate a team, when you know a bit too much about how desperate things are.

Midwife. I feel the same. I've just lost the love for it. I'm hoping its just the pressures of working in Covid times with all the associated stresses. I want to love what I do again

I feel so guilty if I take time off because I know my colleagues are in the same boat and continue to preserve. Perhaps I need to do the same.

Persevere