Mentally Tired

I need some suggestions...what do you all do when you are physically and mentally fatigued? I have been a nurse since June of last year, and it has been an overwhelming period of time for me.

I started off by being accepted into a program at my job that granted me leave with pay for the two years it took me to become an LPN. I worked my butt off because I was afraid to fail (had we failed, we would have had to pay back the tuition as well as the salary...a net of at least $50,000). While I was away from my job, eyes were still on us, because they were sponsoring us. I got excellent grades, because I wanted to be accepted into the nursing program by my own merit and not any side deals which happened for many of my co-workers. Had to come back to work immediately after graduation and then get used to working again and studying for the boards. After two weeks of being back to work, I took off a month to study at peace for NCLEX. Started orientation and now I am working in a clinic. I am mentally tired because the need is so great...we have a high population of clients that cannot read or write, immigrants and poor. Even though I live in the metropolitan area in NYC, this is a city hospital that takes in all of those that are unable to pay (not criticizing the clients, folks). The employees are people who get away with murder because we have strong unions that keep crappy people. My feet hurt, my body aches and the weekends are too short for words, especially since I have taken on a home care case on Saturdays because I am trying to pay off bills and begin saving money. I don't spend any of my extra money, it all is going to pay off old bills so that I can begin to live a bit more comfortably.

It is to a point where I don't really have a life after work because I am too tired to deal with people and their personalities. I don't like to visit people, and now, prefer to be at home where I can escape from folks. I don't even call my in-laws because speaking to them is too trying. Is life always going to be like this for nurses?? It is to the point that I want to cry each Sunday evening because here is the mess for Monday all over again. Long lines of people begging to be seen and administration turning a blind eye to the fatigued employees trying to deal with all of them...whew!!! I am exhausted!! Thanks for listening...maybe I needed to get this off of my chest!