I've been a school nurse for almost 3 years now. I came right out of BSN school (could not find a job in a hospital). I also work PRN at a pedi home health company. I am 25 years old and have no children. My question is: Is anyone else completely drained after a work day? I never used to be such a tired person. During college I could pull an all nighter and study from 6pm to 2am, go to bed, and wake up for clinicals at 5:30am and be fine, and go out on the weekends with my nursing friends. In college I had a weekend job at a hotel where I worked outside constantly running around in the sun. I feel like back then I had so much more going on and I had so much more energy. Now, when I get home from work (I work elementary so I get home around 4:30) I am completely DRAINED. I am so tired that if I even try to sit down in a chair or lay down, I knock out within 10 minutes. And it feels like someone slipped a sleeping pill in my drink kinda-tired. I try avoiding sitting at all when I get home because of that. I get to work at 7:00am, so I wake up around 5:45am. I try my best to go to sleep by 10:30pm. Some people tell me it's because I sit down all day. I don't sit ALL day. But yes I am at my desk alot, documenting, calling parents, ect. I went to a doctor had all my labs drawn and I am completely healthy. No anemia, no thyroid issues. Everyone always rags on me at home because I always full asleep so early. But I am just so exhausted. I can't help it. My school is pretty demanding of me, but I feel every school nurse jumps through hoops daily at their campuses. I'm just wondering if anyone else experienced this when they got into school nursing?
side note** I am not in any way asking for medical advice, just if anyone else feels this way after work. Please do not delete my post, thanks!
Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.
I feel the SAME WAY! I am 23 and work in a clinic. It is alot of sitting at my desk but I am DRAINED at the end of the day. I leave my house at 7:30 and typically get home around 6:30. I feel like crud and so tired when I get home. I feel silly because it's not like I work 12s or am constantly on my feet. I feel like a sissy, but I am glad to know others have the same thing going on!
School nursing is demanding. I don't know about you but those kids suck the life right out of me. It is OK to take a little nap when you get home. I often get on that couch when I get home and take a quick 15 minute cat nap before I get dinner ready. It does wonders as it gives me energy to do the things I need to do at night. I think you are quite normal. I remember feeling that change within my body at your age. I know that young people have a difficult time with that realization and the idea of cat naps, but they work wonders.
people underestimate how mentally draining school nursing can be. I am beat by the end of my day, but i also do make time for my family and my own interests - i'm on the fire department in town which keeps me plenty busy (don't get me started on how tired i've been after fighting a fire all night then working all day!! needless to say, i'm a bit crabby the next day!) and I also do theater from time to time - so that takes up a chunk of time... but both are good stress releasors from the job. Yes, i come home from both tired, but happy. And a very supportive family is Key!!
If you actually are already asleep by 10:30pm you're only getting around 7 hrs of sleep. If you're like me and start getting ready for bed at the time you want to be asleep then you get even less. I cannot function well without at least 8 hrs of sleep. Try to go to bed earlier or just give yourself a 30 min power nap after work to give you energy for the rest of the eve to exercise or do a hobby you enjoy. I think both will help.
liberated847
505 Posts
Guys I find that if I workout regularly I have more energy and my mood is better.