I experience physical symptoms when I think about my job!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Here's a little background on me. I work weekend double shifts every Saturday and Sunday at a skilled nursing facility, and have 5 days off in a row from Monday through Friday. My 2 year anniversary will arrive in February 2008.

However, I experience physical symptoms at the mere thought of this facility. I laid in bed for 3 hours today during the early afternoon hours, because I began feeling GI symptoms such as nausea and stomach ache after thinking about my upcoming shifts this weekend.

The first year at this workplace went well, because I worked the traditional nursing home section. This past year has been different, because I now work the rehab section. The rehab patients tend to be selfish, demanding, impatient, abusive, and wanting instant gratification. They are also higher acuity than the typical nursing home patient due to recent surgeries (CABGs, laminectomies, arthroplasties, hysterectomies, amputations), yet I usually have 15 to 20 of them by myself.

The family members tend to be abusive, vulgar, demanding, and always making thinly-veiled threats to staff. I enjoy nursing, but I absolutely hate other aspects of working at this place. I'm just trying to hang on until my 2nd anniversary in February 2008. Thanks for listening.

Thank you for your kind words, Leslie.

I should also mention that I have a low tolerance for stress. If I'm exposed to a stressor at work, I suddenly start feeling the palpitations, weak stomach, and an urge to defecate.

I know how you feel, I felt that way for several years after nursing school until I probably finally felt sure of myself. Try regular LTC, get out of rehab.
Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

I think we can thank their acute care, customer service based ,disneyland, marriott extended stay treatment in the hospital the managers demand ,thereby creating unrealistic demanding pts and families . Seems the fallout has hit rehab units .. Keep your sanity,leave as soon as practical GOOD LUCK !!!

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
Thank you for your kind words, Leslie.

I should also mention that I have a low tolerance for stress. If I'm exposed to a stressor at work, I suddenly start feeling the palpitations, weak stomach, and an urge to defecate.

Maybe it's time for a change? Also, maybe working back to back doubles is too physically taxing and is adding to your stress level.

Oh dear! Take care of yourself! If your life is making you sick - gotta deal!

Commuter,

Can you not go back to the traditional nursing home part and leave the rehab crap behind? You would still be a part of the same facility at least.

As far as dealing with the junk you're dealing with, I totally agree with what the other posters have said....take a sick day or 2 and just find a way to survive for the next month. And of course, start sending out resumes ASAP.

Just know that either way, the end of your misery at that place is not far away, hopefully.

I agree!

Can you return to the regular LTC unit?

I have had jobs which have made me feel sick just thinking about them, too.

What I hate the most is lying in bed for hours unable to sleep because I am ruminating about a job. That's the worst.

I agree that it's time to polish up your resume, contact your references and let them know you'll be job hunting.

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

However, I experience physical symptoms at the mere thought of this facility. I laid in bed for 3 hours today during the early afternoon hours, because I began feeling GI symptoms such as nausea and stomach ache after thinking about my upcoming shifts this weekend.

Me too. I work in a pretty good institution, but the acuity of the patients is high, and we're often used as a sub ICU for patients that really should be in the unit, but they needed the bed for someone worse off. I never know what to expect on my shift, and I get sick to my stomach just getting ready for work.:o I've been chalking it up to being inexperienced.

When I first moved to Texas I couldn't believe how terrible the working conditions were here. Worst I've ever seen. I quit nursing job after nursing job. I had jobs that actually gave me nightmares and stress attacks. Life is too short for that. Well, finally, I found a position that I love and so leaving all these nightmare jobs has all paid off. I can see why you want to wait until after vacation to leave. Hope you find something that brings you joy instead of stress and more stress. Our jobs should be earning us a living, not killing us.

"Take this job and shove it, I ain't working here no more."-Johnny Paycheck

Y'know, I am betting that you have PTO accrued and that you have a savings account. There's no reason on earth not to take another job and start in a month. They'll wait.

Honey, you are too valuable to be abused and overworked and stressed in this way.

Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
I experience physical symptoms at the mere thought of this facility. I laid in bed for 3 hours today during the early afternoon hours, because I began feeling GI symptoms such as nausea and stomach ache after thinking about my upcoming shifts this weekend.

When you reach the point that 5 days off doesn't recharge you it's time to look for a new place to work.

Would you lose that PTO if you left before Feb 08? If not, go see your family between jobs.

Hi Communter-

Diahni again - Even if this job was a pure joy - and I realize it isn't! - double shifts must be hard. I know it's a trade-off, and a really nice one to have five days in a row off when you're technically a full time employee. But just thinking about the two day double shift gives me the creeps, not even thinking about the actual job. I hear lots of people say how much they like doing a weekly shift in two or three days, but then they qualify it by saying it takes almost all the time off to recover! There is something so unbalanced about it, like trying to eat for the week in a few days, then going without food for five - we're made to work relax eat and sleep in 24 hour cycles, and if you're working too much in a 24 hour period, it's bound to take a toll on you. If you loved the job, I'm sure it's doable, but it sounds like nightmare.

Anyway, I reread your post, and the job sounds like a real bummer - there must be options available for you. Have you tried an employment agency? Hang in there, but don't hang too long!

Diahni

Dear Commuter, consider yourself lucky, and I mean it with no sarcasm. I am pretty much in the same position - unable to sleep before going to work, unable to sleep the night after the shift, running in my head the whole shift and worrying about something I forgot to do, and coming back to work next day, and night shift rubs it in your face. I am so tired to work unappreciated and unsupported. I still have 2 days off ahead of me right now, but still think about this terrifying job of mine, it never let go of me. At least you can leave in February. My 2 years will be in June, and I have no idea how to make it til then.

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Flight.
Here's a little background on me. I work weekend double shifts every Saturday and Sunday at a skilled nursing facility, and have 5 days off in a row from Monday through Friday. My 2 year anniversary will arrive in February 2008.

However, I experience physical symptoms at the mere thought of this facility. I laid in bed for 3 hours today during the early afternoon hours, because I began feeling GI symptoms such as nausea and stomach ache after thinking about my upcoming shifts this weekend.

The first year at this workplace went well, because I worked the traditional nursing home section. This past year has been different, because I now work the rehab section. The rehab patients tend to be selfish, demanding, impatient, abusive, and wanting instant gratification. They are also higher acuity than the typical nursing home patient due to recent surgeries (CABGs, laminectomies, arthroplasties, hysterectomies, amputations), yet I usually have 15 to 20 of them by myself.

The family members tend to be abusive, vulgar, demanding, and always making thinly-veiled threats to staff. I enjoy nursing, but I absolutely hate other aspects of working at this place. I'm just trying to hang on until my 2nd anniversary in February 2008. Thanks for listening.

i am gonna post this cause i love ya girl.... you know that...

sounds to me like you are a *cry-baby*....

we all have it hard.. in many different aspects......

sadly..

i guarentee if you were a pt..

you would be exactly like they are...

so... cut em some slack...

they do not wanna be there...

you are paid to be there....

it is your job...

i have pt's just like that too...

and i curse them in my thoughts...

but...i get over it..

i realize their situations...

i get to know them....

get to know their families...

all will be good...

i promise!!!!

:cool:

+ Add a Comment