Tired from caring

[flowerchild]

Anyone else get tired of being the caregiver? What are some of the things you do to relieve the demands of caring for patients all day and family/home all night? I can't remember the last time someone took care of any of my needs but I spend the majority of my time caring and meeting the needs of others. I'm not even co-dependent but can't seem to get away from all the care giving even for a little while, seems like someone always needs me for something. Juggling nurse, wife, mom, daughter, sister, freind, etc. ain't easy but I'm not willing to give up any of those roles! Unfortunatly, there just isn't much time left in the day for just plain ol' me! How do you find the time? I know, I know, you have to make the time. But, if I could find a way to "make" time, believe me, I would've already done this. Then I'd bottle it up and sell it and never have to work again. LOL.

[Nurse Izzy]

I know exactly how you feel. I'm one of the ones that everyone comes to when they need to talk so I spend a lot of time listening, but who listens to me? My dog. Sometimes my husband, but much of the time he doesn't understand what's going on so it's hard for him to really be there...

When I need me time I go into the bedroom, close the door and either curl up on the bed and watch "The Princess Bride" or I take a long hot bath - when my husband hears me draw hot water for the 4th or 5th time he gets the message... Usually this happens right after dinner when I'm at my wits end...forget the dishes - they'll be there later!

[bossynurse]

A nurses job is a demanding one. It is very physically as well as emotionally demanding. And unless your significant others are nurses, they just don't get it. They don't realize the responsibility that we have. That's why I ( and many other members of the boards come here. To share with others that know the stresses and can relate. I also try to find time for just me. I deserve to be selfish from time to time. No one else is going to pamper me.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You are about to experience burn out.

What you do is you gather all your family and friends together. Tell them to supply the food.

Get in the middle of the room, as if you're about to give a speech and scream "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY????"

Take care. Obviously if you don't care for yourself no one else will.