Husband doesn't understand... advice?

[LVHI_RN]

I'm a couple months into my first job, and I'm still adjusting to everything as a new nurse. I just completed my first 3 12hour shifts in a row. It was the first time I've done it, and it has been a tough week for me with my patient load/acuity.

My husband isn't in the medical field. For the past few weeks, I have been coming home completely exhausted especially this week. He just doesn't get it. He thinks I'm over exaggerating my workload. Coming home past 8pm then having to wake up the next morning and do it all over again takes a toll on me. I'm still trying to adjust. Does anyone else have similar experiences and would like to give some tips/advice?

[BecomingNursey]

Unless you do it; it is really hard for family/friends to understand how hard nursing is. It is physically, mentally and emotionally draining. Every. Single. Day. I try not to, and am getting better about not bringing my work home with me. But I still do sometimes.

After working 3 12's in a row I'm totally wiped and just spend that 1st day off doing absolutely nothing. I spend time with my daughter and make sure we eat that day but other than that I don't have the energy to do anything. My husband gets it (mostly). He's a corrections officer and he also works 12 hour shifts so he gets some of it. But some of my other family thinks that me working 3-4 days a week and having the rest off is a breeze. I don't even try explaining to them anymore how tiring it is. And yeah I get 3-4 days off a week, but 1-2 days of that I can't even get off the couch because I'm too tired. Lol some people just don't get it.

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

Author: Art Williams

[sourapril]

I don't expect my spouse to understand but I expect him to acknowledge my feeling and respect my decision. If yours can't do that schedule a couple counseling session if things get worse.