I experience physical symptoms when I think about my job!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

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.

[leslie :-D]

you need to take the, "what type of soul are you", currently posted in the breakroom.

evidentally, i'm a "dreaming soul" and tend to sensationalize stuff in my head/dreams.

somehow, you need to make yourself a dreaming soul.

works for me.

seriously, and truly, if able, it really is about rising above others demands and expectations.

you do what you are humanly capable of, and nothing more.

those who insult you, to me, are the ones w/the problems.

once you recognize and accept this, such a burden has been lifted.

a simple, concise, "i will when i am able" should suffice in responding to the thousand demands placed on you.

do not give them the power to affect you.

whatever i do, it seems to work, and has for yrs.

thus, this makes me the dreaming soul....:)

leslie

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

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.

[leslie :-D]

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.

then i would have to say, you may be in the wrong specialty.

i do understand about waiting for a new job til after the holidays, but being employed at this place for even close to 2 yrs, is absolutely acceptable, and even, wonderful.

you really don't have to wait til february, commuter.

and please, be very selective about your next place of employment.

you seem to know yourself quite well.

take advantage of this, and seek a job where it will benefit both you and your pts.

leslie

[kiszi, RN]

You're not alone, Commuter. I work in a rehab unit as well, and lately I think it's begun getting to me. I work a schedule where I either have one day off or two in a row. When I just have the one, I can't enjoy it b/c of thinking about the day before/dreading the day to come. When there's two, I can usually forget work for the first one and maybe half the second. But not always. Physical symptoms? You bet. Just in the last couple of weeks, my body's started to go into "panic mode" for a few minutes early in the morning before work. Racing HR, SOB, nausea.

Rehab? Sometimes feels more like a hospital job, but with 16 patients instead of 5 or 6. That and no MD in the facility most of the time. And no resp. therapy. Family members who believe their mom is the only pt. on the unit. And who are convinced their mom will be neglected/left soiled/left in bed all day/not fed if they are not there every waking moment. I long to get out. Is this what burnout feels like? I wonder if the hospital is even any better.

Thanks for letting me join your rant. :)

Here's to a better day tomorrow!:beer:

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

Time to find something new, Commuter! You have lasted a lot longer than some would have.

[Lovely_RN, MSN]

Are you under contract?

Are you going to get a bonus for staying until February?

If not then there is no reason to stay any longer.

I draw the line at being made physically ill on any job. Been there done that and the result was that I ended up quiting w/o notice and no back up plan. If you keep pushing it you're going to reach a point where your body will not let you get out of bed one day.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Are you under contract?

Are you going to get a bonus for staying until February?

If not then there is no reason to stay any longer.

I'm not under contract, and there's no bonus for hanging around until February. My major holdup is a ten-day vacation that I have planned for next month to my home state of California. I only get to see my parents once a year, and I'd prefer to use all my PTO time before I make any rash moves regarding this job.

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

I'm not under contract, and there's no bonus for hanging around until February. My major holdup is a ten-day vacation that I have planned for next month to my home state of California. I only get to see my parents once a year, and I'd prefer to use all my PTO time before I make any rash moves regarding this job.

Can you start perusing new job options before the vacation so that you could leave this position once your vacation is over??

The vacation itself might help a little bit.

[Lovely_RN, MSN]

Ah-ha now i get it.

I can't blame you for wanting to take your vacation since you have probably been waiting all year for it.

It seems like you are going to have to stick it out then.

Just count down the days and if you have sick-time take a few mental health days in between now and then.

There is nothing wrong with that we all know that mental health is just as important as physical health. When you call in you will not be lying when you say you are sick (cuz you are sick....sick of that d*mn job )

Post-vacation it would so be a wrap for me, I would leave skid marks.

[caliotter3]

I repeat what Falon said. It happened to me. I dropped in my tracks due to physical illness which did not come about because of the job and other factors, including what was going on at the job. It has taken me years to reach a point where I could get back to work and out of a darkened room with the door barracaded. You have to realize when it is time to be proactive in making a change rather than wait for your world to fall in on you. Good luck.

[NurseCherlove]

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.