[whit717]

I have been an RN on our med surg floor here in my small town for about 6 months. Yes, this is my first year in nursing and I love it! No doubt, I run all day long like all nurses. And when I get home I am just soooo completely drained. I have two small children in school and I do well to talk with them, interact in homework and get them in the bed (forget cleaning and washing clothes like I should!). I have stopped answering my phone most of the time, don't really talk to friends too much anymore....all I do is work and sleep. When I am at work I love what I'm doing, but I am finding it so hard to keep up with my life outside of work, being so tired all the time. So here it's close to Christmas, the kids are having parties at school and Christmas programs, and I feel like I just can't do it! I have had jobs before, but none so demanding of my energy of course. How do you balance being in such a demanding, albeit rewarding, career such as nursing, and all of the other things we as mothers and women are expected to do?? Surely there is someone else who has experienced this?

[Virgo_RN]

I can relate, as I am both working and still in school, finishing up my two year degree (I intend to go on to a BSN after that). Last year I was burning the candle at both ends, working full time and in NS full time, and all I did was work, go to school, and sleep. Fortunately my "kids" are adults (18 & 19).

Prior to being both a nursing student and working full time, I had more time available to go to the gym. I worked out three times per week, doing cardio and weight training. I found that at first, it was hard, as my body was not used to it. But as I got more conditioned, I found that working out gave me more energy in the rest of my life. Now that I don't have time to work out (walking the dogs is about all I have time to do exercise wise), I have less energy than I used to.

The gym didn't cost that much, as it was the local YMCA. Since my kids were older, I didn't need the childcare, but they did provide it. I'm wondering if you could find an affordable facility with a daycare, or drop the kids off at a friend's or family member's while you go work out?

Also, eating a well balanced diet with plenty of fiber and getting enough water daily, and taking a multivitamin seems to help as well.