[gonzo1]

Nursing is very hard physically, and mentally. You need to take good care of yourself to the best of your ability. Be very careful at work, and try not to go into superworker mode and not ask for help. I too miss out on peeing and breaks and eat badly, but I am lucky enough to work in a very supportive environment with a lot of great nurses that all help each other. This makes work rewarding and doable. You do have to be careful though because the job can suck the life right out of you.

[PEDSVA]

I work part-time now and Ifind that one less day makes a huge difference! With young children @ home I am still trying to make time for exercise. I used to be pretty regular with exercise. Nursing by nature is physically, emotionally, and mentally draining no matter what. I am also trying to practice leaving my job at work and I find when I can do that it helps take some of the stress away. I think employers should make better efforts in assisting nurses with a healthier work environment by enforcing breaks, proper ratios, gym opp.. So yes I guess it can be physically unhealthy overall.

[shellek]

Originally Posted by mikethern

I work part time because I think it is healthier than working full time as a nurse because even if you are a great nurse, you are exposed to stress everyday. Do you agree?

I do think depending on the area of nursing and the hours can definately be unhealthy. I myself made a promise to step out of nursing when I became "burnt out" which was 9years of PACU and ICU and OPEN HEART Recovery. The hours were never what they were suppose to be--I'd get stuck there more often then not, the death and morbidity took a tole on me.. I left for 3 years and started own massage business, working own hours, and with healthy people. I do miss nursing in clinical setting now and am going back, I don't want to loose clinical skills. I am glad I took break and still in a sense was in medical area of massage. I enjoy helping others, but now going back I am not going to push for all the hours I can get, the over-time, and will work day shift, nights 12 hr shifts through me into deep depression and gained 20 lbs within the 1st 3 months of night shifts. I was all about make the most money I can, but now with gained confidence I can have my own business p/t and be a nurse day shift will be much better for me --yes it may pay a little less but therapy and anti-depressants replaced that extra money from nights. Sanity is where I want to stay.

[mercyteapot]

I think there are many situations in which nursing is unhealthy... constant stress is a bad thing.

[NurseCherlove]

[quote=deehaverrn;2028254]

Originally Posted by mikethern

Ibecause even if you are a great nurse, you are exposed to stress everyday. ?/quote]

Also I think if you are a great nurse...you're more at risk, because you work harder and take people's comments more seriously...if you're a bad nurse , you dont work as hard or care what people think of you,

I could not agree more with this statement!!! Not to "toot my own horn", but I feel like something is wrong when approx. 50-70% of the time, my chest feels tight and I am running my arse off and then I see these nurses who never appear to have a sense of urgency and stand around at the nurses station at times! Of course, I've also had some of these nurses' patients after they've had them, and from looking at things like their assessments, unresolved patient problems, and just listening to what the patients say about some their previous nurses, it is obvious that the above-mentioned nurses are simply doing the bare minimum to get by. It makes me a little resentful at times, but it is all worth it when I see that the patient is better off after I've cared for them (sorry - I know that sounds arrogant, but I give 110% everyday I work, so I can say that!). Of course the flip side is that, getting back to the original topic, I'm sure the nurses I am complaining about also don't have the constant level of catecholamines circulating in their bodies the way I do - and they are healthier for it!

I have heard another very experienced nurse where I work who is very much like me actually say that "this is heart attack kind of stress" - so what does that tell you!?!

[Emmanuel Goldstein]

Originally Posted by studentnurseinmd

Well, contrary to most statements above, I do NOT think Nursing is the most unhealthy profession out there. I mean, I just graduated my RN program, but I think of the rewards of working 3 12 hour shifts, and being able to help other people. Emotionally, we all knew what we were getting into. Physically... it is up to you to keep your body in shape. I don't smoke, drink rarey, and exercise daily. I also practice yoga, and spend tmie in nature, and BELIEVE me... this helps!!!

So, enough pessimism about our health!!! Join a gym or take a yoga class. Better yet, stop smoking!



Lots of Love...

Talk to us again in about 10 years. Dee's post (and others') is dead on.

http://allnurses.com/forums/2028252-post7.html

[summersent]

I have a question to the ones that are finding it very tough and stressful is it because your doing mostly bedside nursing? what area of nursing do you work in?

[mikethern]

Originally Posted by summersent

I have a question to the ones that are finding it very tough and stressful is it because your doing mostly bedside nursing? what area of nursing do you work in?

I'm pretty sure that most of the nurses who agreed that nursing is unhealthy are O.R. nurses because this is an O.R. nursing section.

Almost every type of acute care nursing is unhealthy though. If you want a nursing job that is not unhealthy, your goal should be to get some kind of desk job. There are some nursing jobs that do not include patient care such as management, research, education, etc.

[zozzy777]

Originally Posted by tntrn

Oh, I absolutely think nursing (at least where I work) is a toxic thing. And take the stress out of altogether, but consider the fact, that whether or not you are guaranteed 2 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch break, the reality is that you probably won't get them. A couple of weeks ago, I clocked in for my 3-11 shift, used the bathroom about 9:45 and finally wolfed down a piece of cold pizza (ordered about 8:30 by another nurse who got no breaks). As a health care professional, working in a health care facility, I am allowed to take care of my own health and administration certainly shows now concerns about it.

Add to that rules like no bottled waters or other kinds of liquids for hydration at the nursing desk (and we have no drinking fountain inside our locked unit) and it's just plai9n nasty.

I can walk 5 or 6 miles on a nice day outside, but after 8 hours I feel like my body's been hit by a truck. Even with the best shoes available. The flooring materials suck.

So yes, nursing as I know it, is toxic to my health.

AMEN!! I couldn't have said it better!!

[mom and nurse]

Originally Posted by summersent

I have a question to the ones that are finding it very tough and stressful is it because your doing mostly bedside nursing? what area of nursing do you work in?

Bedside nursing is rough. I'm seriously thinking of an outpatient clinic since I'm in graduate school or if I don't complete all the course work I am considering community health. Being a nurse away from the hospital setting probably will still be stressful, but it should be a little less hard on the body.