Okay, I came to you all when I had a problem with my last job in OB (lack of orientation if you don't recall) so I quit. Now I'm at a crossroads again, and am coming back for your help.
I have been on nights for 3 months (same job total for 4 months). I'm finding that I am constantly sick, even when my own kids aren't. I had the flu shot even. I have in the last month had pharyngitis twice, and bronchitis, pink eye (both eyes) sinus infection twice, and had a back injury at work. Through this I had 2 mandatory days off for my back injury, and two mandatory days off for my pink eye. (although I was only scheduled for one of each of those two days) I have as far as I know, acquired 1 point as far as the point system goes (I think we're allowed 7 before they start cracking down). In either case, 90+% of the time I have been on nights I have been sick. I realize this is from a decrease in immunity due to a conflict with my circadium (sp) rhythm. My kids hate me working nights, although I'm only working part time (2 one week 3 the next) they beg me not to go in. I am finding myself getting more and more depressed and wondering if I need a higher dose of antidepressant. All the while I keep thinking, if I wasn't working nights I probably wouldn't stay sick like this, and I probably wouldn't be depressed. Now last week I had a glimmer of hope at a job change, only a glimmer. I was getting my sons blood drawn for labs and mentioned I could do it if she wants. She asked if I was a nurse. Told her I was and she mentioned a job opportunity next door. They were looking for an RN with phlebotomy experience. Well I have that, I love starting IV's. Once I found that out I immediately went next door to talk to the head nurse (doctors office). I wasn't truly dressed for it, but I thought to myself, this MUST be fate. Sat down with her and had some small talk, she gave me a tour. It's a Complimentary therapy type of doctors office. I am also a Holistic practitioner. I mentioned that, and she high fived me. I also mentioned that I have only been an RN since May, she said that wasn't a problem and seemed genuinely excited about the whole thing since she hadn't even put an ad in the paper. I heard from her the next day. She wanted to set up a meeting with me and the owners for the next day (I worked the next night) so I couldn't really go in and meet them in the middle of the day in which she asked (11am). She said, don't worry we'll figure this out and get together. I called her right back and offered to come in first thing in the morning. She said that couldn't work for the owners and said again, no worries we WILL get together.
That was last week. Tomorrow is my last day off this week. I haven't heard back from her so I called this afternoon. She was already gone. I will call her in the morning. Tomorrows my anniversary, so I am praying for something good to happen.
Anyway - is this normal? I mean the being constantly sick on nights? Nobody else there is as sick as I am, or as often as I am. I am feeling alienated since I started getting sick. Patients love me, in fact I get requests for me to be there nurse. But my co-workers seems to resent the fact that I am sick all the time. Even when I still come to work sick. I am NOT choosing to be sick. I did NOT choose to get injured on the job and have restrictions put on me. Yet they treat me as if I had a choice in all of this. I don't know, I just feel alienated. Maybe I'm being overly conscious I don't know.
I know I'm sick of feeling sick, my family hates me working nights, and I really shouldn't need to up my antidepressants just to go to work.
Anyones thoughts would be appreciated. I love being a nurse, I just can't find my niche so to speak. The job that came up is EXACTLY what I am looking for, I don't know the pay, I do know they do not offer insurance. So I hope the pay compensates for that.
Please PLEASE help me out here again, I realize this is sort of a rant. But am I abnormal? Is it normal to be sick for 3 months straight when I am normally fairly healthy? Is it normal to get depressed like this just from working nights? Am I stupid for wanting out of my second job in 7 months? HELLLLPPPP!?!?
