The Center for Health Outcomes at Penn State reports that 30 percent of nurses are burned out or dissatisfied with their nurse jobs.
Let’s face it. Nursing is a stressful job. And years of this high-pressure work (as rewarding as it often is) can take its toll. You start wondering, is this really what I should be doing with my life? Or maybe there’s some way to recharge my “nursing batteries” and stick with the career that, when all is said and done, I’m still devoted to?
Some long-time staff nurses have found that travel nursing is an ideal way to re-charge those career batteries. Travel nurse jobs break up the old familiar routine by taking you to new locations, with new co-workers, and new procedures that can expand your skill set. Hospitals coping with nurse staffing shortages are eager to have experienced nurses join their teams — whether for a short assignment or a longer one.
Nice story and thanks for sharing.
Travel nursing seems to be a good career option to take for many nurses.
By: Jim Clark on October 28, 2008
at 1:23 pm
This is something that I am very interested in doing. I am going to be embarking on my path to nursing school , but wondered if people get burned out. Thanks for this post.
By: doctors on October 29, 2008
at 12:28 am
In response to “doctors” Nursing does not hold a monopoly on burnout. Almost every profession as had its share of those who succumb. The advantage that nursing has in defeating burnout is its diversity. You can work for 30 years as a nurse and have completely different roles every few. If you decide that bedside is not for you, go to the OR, try Cath Lab, how about Endo. Forget the hospital go to a free standing plastic surgery clinic or surgi-center. Try an insurance company or marketing for medical supplies. The list is endless and limited only by oneself.
I’ve never been a travel nurse due to family obligations but those I know who have say great things about the experience.
Enjoy nursing! I have and when I didn’t I switched shifts or units or focus!
By: Flo Schaefer on October 31, 2008
at 6:19 am
Hi Flo – what a great post! Thank you for bringing more nursing career path options to the table and inspiring others to pursue the nursing profession.
By: I love Travel Nursing on November 3, 2008
at 8:53 pm
It does help to get a wider perspective on your burnout issues. Changing units or locations often gives an initial boost to inertia or “stuckness” that can come with burnout. I try to work with the inner journey, and find that if you change the outside environment without refining the inner you, you might just find yourself back in the same “burnout boat.” I teach burnout workshop/retreats that require some traveling and getting away from your routine daily environment. I always tell my students that the real workshop begins when they return home. The retreats are held in the Sierra Nevada foothills in California near Sequoia National Park (a visit to the Big Trees is part of the retreat.) Do a google search for The Deeper Well and you will find more details about the retreats. They are designed for nurses and health care professionals, but are open to anyone.
By: Elsah Cort on November 11, 2008
at 12:10 am
To Flo
You give some good choices for a nurse to try if she’s tired of bedside nursing. The only problem: it’s very hard to change careers, such as getting into the OR, or endo, for example. I’ve always wanted a job in an outpatient surgical center, or PACU, but nobody will even look at me, as I have no experience in that area of nursing.
By: Kathy on December 9, 2008
at 6:54 am
I quit my job as a staff nurse for more than 3 years now but still keep my RN license active. I’m still dreading the thought of going back to work as a staff nurse, taking care of 20 patients on midnight shift. I thought about working in a dialysis clinic but I don’t have any experience in this area of nursing, even though I worked in a hemodialysis unit when I was a student nurse and that was a long time ago–(14 yrs ago). I appreciate anyone who will give me an input regarding Nephrology Nursing. Thank you.
By: zoe on December 29, 2008
at 4:49 am
Hi,
The above thought is smart and doesn’t require any further addition. It’s perfect thought from my side.
Helen
nursing careers
By: Helen on April 11, 2009
at 1:41 pm
I recommend daily yoga. It helps to minimize stress and keep things in perspective.
By: Vernon on February 4, 2010
at 3:47 am