ATLANTA, GA – For internist Karen Davenport, today’s shift was the straw that broke the camel’s back. She struggled mightily as she was asked to “suck it up” and see 935 patients, 100% of which were a pain in the ass, malingering, or both. Realizing there was no use in fighting difficult patients, demanding administrators, or useless insurers any more, Davenport called palliative care on herself and decided to go home with hospice.
“The odds were stacked against Karen,” said chief of internal medicine Benjamin Watts. “Being overworked, understaffed, underappreciated, over-litigated, micromanaged, and the endless charting… Davenport’s expectancy was less than 6 months for sure.”
Over the past two months, Davenport showed signs that burnout was progressing despite decreased work hours and interventions like vacations, running, massages, heavy drinking, binge-eating, antidepressants, and psychotherapy. Last week, it became clear that in her toxic work environment, Davenport was failing to thrive.
“Burnout in its final stages is like dementia,” said palliative care nurse practitioner Jonathan Rappaport. “Your faculties fail, you’re unable to take care of yourself let alone others, and you battle with incontinence. Ultimately, you succumb to dehydration from forgetting to drink or eat, renal failure from forgetting to pee, and infection like MRSA or C. diff.”
Yesterday, Davenport received the unfortunate news that her burnout had metastasized to the mind, body, and soul. After today’s horrible, just horrible shift, Davenport made up her mind and realized that she no longer needed to suffer in the hospital. She wanted to be home with family.
“Karen said she no longer wanted to be a health care practitioner, she just wanted to be comfortable,” said palliative care physician Laura Harrison. An expert in burnout, Harrison has helped hundreds of thousands of nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, therapists, nutritionists, doctors, and others by attending to their pain and symptoms as well as their emotional and spiritual needs. “We had a family meeting. Karen’s a DNR. We took away her stethoscope and white coat. We inactivated her pager. A chaplain was present.”
Harrison and her palliative care team started morphine to help with the pain of a modern-day health care practitioner. Xanax and Remeron were given for Davenport’s fragile nerves and pager-related PTSD. She was given Ativan, scopolamine, and Decadron for intractable work-related nausea and vomiting. She was also given a bowel regimen since she hadn’t pooped in weeks.
“There is a way to improve our quality of life, but we, first, have to accept our terminal work conditions,” said Davenport as she was escorted to the lobby to be met with family. She hopes she remembers what her children, husband, and bed look like.
“Karen looks so much happier now,” said close friend and charge nurse Rebecca Stevens, holding back some tears. “When was the last time you were truly happy at work?”
Show Comments
Joseph Mack
Hilarious and unfortunately so reflective of the reality.
Brian Belanger
Remeron is the best! Abilify is essential in large dosses.
Sally Grace
Tina Grace this is so funny!!!!! I now know there is relief on the horizon!!!!
Nisha Ramsinghani
Ka R Thik Sindhura Reddy
Tina Grace
Sally Grace
Stephanie Varga
Sign me up!
Terry N Teresa Rolan
Absolutely brilliant idea!
Dana Cravens
It is about quality of life after all.
Susan M. Penick
One of the best stories yet!
Carol Rosenberg
This is my life!!
Stephanie Jacobs Bordner
Love this!
Leslie Fontenot
Hahahah!! Thanks Jenn for the laugh!
Chloe Ayres
so true :(
Leucine Evelyn
oh god it’s way to early in our careers to be empathising so strongly with this article!
Hannah Querin
Leucine Evelyn this one is a cracker
Hannah Querin
Leucine Evelyn this one is a cracker
Leeda Rashid
I’ve already put in advanced directives…lol.
Leeda Rashid
I’ve already put in advanced directives…lol.
Meg Gustafson Dexter
Loy lol
Meg Gustafson Dexter
Loy lol
June Rolph
Lol
Liza Raymond
Paperless work. Lol
Elizabeth Maxwell
Chloe Ayres this is us! Halfway there on the Ativan
Erica Ledesma
Funny yet sad that I can relate so much to this. Glad to know I’m not alone!
Theresa Terri Higginbotham-Torretti
Hahaha!!!!!!! You guys are the BEST!!
Melanie Bernstein
Marissa Cavallaro it’s great knowing it doesn’t end in med school and this will be the rest of our life…
Benjamin W. Thomas
As a pall care reg, I loved it. :)
Got to wonder about using both lorazepam and alprazolam though… Could probably get away with just the Ativan from a symptom point of view. ;)
Shinkai Hakimi
Audry Kahlström Uchenna Ikediobi Roya Roya Hosai ToddHesh Leeda Rashid lol!
Cynthia Steimle
Just read something from our CEO that mentioned how tough it would be for an administrator to round on 10 patients who had been admitted via the ER and ask about their experience. I snorted milk out my nose.
Anne Kenny Krueger
So true….my last 10 years has taken its toll and burnout has tried and keeps tightening its grip
Jennifer Lee
Helen Hwang Robyn Gerdes Jane Yoo Bwahaha boohoo!
Diane Maywald Murray
Funny…but not. No support from management will do this to you :(
Megan Lorge
Jenny Nelson Mandy Friedl
Erin Jay Page
Jade Lauren Porter
Erin Jay Page
Kate Ruby
Nida Qadir
Best one yet. Although it hits a little too close to home.
Faryal Michaud
As a hospitalist who turned to PCM to have a more manageable life, I do get this!!!
Vicki Kijewski
I can’t help but laugh
Kimberly Raines
Not an MD, but I live this every day. :(
Sara White Franklin
You know I am sharing this!!
Chrystal Solola
It’s comforting to know not alone. Something has to give.
Karen Hulley
I’ve been threatening to do this for years….
Jennifer Timpe
Stephanie
Danielle
Jennifer Ensminger
“Being overworked, understaffed, underappreciated, over-litigated, micromanaged, and the endless charting… Davenport’s expectancy was less than 6 months for sure.”
Maureen Rauchet Sestito
George Seavy this is me….
Gena Fouard
Dear God!! That is so expertly written, I’m a little bit envious of Karen now. (Sad face)
Gena Fouard
Dear God!! That is so expertly written, I’m a little bit envious of Karen now. (Sad face)
Amy Helen Getchell
This is great.
Amy Helen Getchell
This is great.
Alan McQuain
Love this one!
Alan McQuain
Love this one!
Camie Wright
We need to seriously look into this option, because we’re there.
Camie Wright
We need to seriously look into this option, because we’re there.
Nancy Sparks Maynard
This is too funny, and on the mark lol
Nancy Sparks Maynard
This is too funny, and on the mark lol
Adrienne Rasbach
Camie Wright a possible out!
Adrienne Rasbach
Camie Wright a possible out!
Crystal Porter
Jennifer Turner Hokanson Gena Fouard Michelle Fishburn See, we will have to take care of each other eventually. Doomed! :)
Crystal Porter
Jennifer Turner Hokanson Gena Fouard Michelle Fishburn See, we will have to take care of each other eventually. Doomed! :)
Lisa Winn Sprouse
Candice Burnside
Jennifer Bowles
Stefanie Long
Ryan Anderson
Jeremy-Lauren Cude
Kelly James
Lisa Winn Sprouse
Candice Burnside
Jennifer Bowles
Stefanie Long
Ryan Anderson
Jeremy-Lauren Cude
Kelly James
Lynne Horning Holmes
Me too, Amy!
Lynne Horning Holmes
Me too, Amy!
Raymond Broyles McCormick
But, I still do it like a dumbass cuz I love caring for people.
Raymond Broyles McCormick
But, I still do it like a dumbass cuz I love caring for people.
Alison Elizabeth
Samia Ames can I do this!????
Alison Elizabeth
Samia Ames can I do this!????
Tassey Stuscavage
Oh my goodness. 40 years. I feel this way after 3! Guess I’m doomed!
Tassey Stuscavage
Oh my goodness. 40 years. I feel this way after 3! Guess I’m doomed!
Brent Jackson
Perfect!
Brent Jackson
Perfect!
Erin Davis
Yes, yes, yes.
Julia Monaco
Bahahahaha Jacquelyn Levin Jess Klauder James Alberts Kimberly Heimerdinger
Catherine Cox
Spot on. I’m going to consult one myself now.
Hannah Lil’Kim Nicholas
I’m wrecked still…. I need it this week still as well!
Kirsten Hicks Crombie
The. Best. As a doc’s wife — wish it were possible!
Jaci Moser
Yes x 1,000!!!
Yunus Ahmadi
Frank, so this is what we do with your certification
Amy Roberts
Jaci Moser
Betsy Khamdiev
I’ve had days like that… hilarious
Emily Buckthorpe
Erin Davis
Jana Wendel Thornton
Nurses are no longer nurses, but paperwork generators.
Kristin Moudry
Victoria Strickland Junkin Cassie Raney Clark
Melinda Velka
I’ve definately felt this way a lot lately. Going through severe burnout. Thanks for the laugh.
Raymond Broyles McCormick
I am so done after 40 years of nursing….
Lo Ann
Leeny Kim
Matt Luckhurst
Hannah Lil’Kim Nicholas we needed this last week!
Kathleen Lyons O’Bryan
Making that call tonight!
Amy Kimber
My favorite one yet!
Audrey Maminta
It’s satirical, but true. We’ve lost any control, I’ve felt like this..,,
Mischelle Callitsis
Katie Hayes
Morgan Smith
Despina Isihos