So, I've been a long time lurker and just recently decided to start an account so I could get an answer to this question. I'm seriously considering going to nursing school (I already have one degree) but I've noticed a trend on these forums, and in general, that's got me a little worried.
From what I've read, most nurses who work directly with patients seem to talk a lot about how utterly exhausted they are ALL THE TIME. It paints the picture of a very stressed out, caffeine drinking, health care worker with little time for sleep or a personal life. I'm sure that this is most likely an exaggeration...or is it? Forgive me for my ignorance. I'm fully aware that nurses work very hard and have A LOT of responsibility, but being outside of that world, I'm not sure exactly how tough it really is.
I'm very interested in medicine and the idea of direct patient contact, but not at the expense of my physical health or my sanity. As a nurse, would you consider yourself to be "pushed to the limit" in the way I described above, or have you found a balance? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
The only times I felt always exhausted is when I worked nights. Otherwise, not at all. The only times I come home from work feeling exhausted is when I am working with students or precepting, because I have to do a lot more talking than usual. As an introvert, that is particularly draining.
Nah. I'm one of those weird ones that loves doing three 12 hr night shifts in a row on weekends. I don't do much on Mondays but I do exercise vigorously at least three times a week for an hour at a time. Granted I have no husband or children. Either way I'm just not burnt out. I have a really good work life balance. Work stays at work.
Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.
In my jobs before kids... no I was no exhausted all the time. I worked 3-11 in the hospital, which really agreed with my 'clock.' I was stressed a lot outside of work and tired after work, but I could recover. Then again, I was only 22 yrs old. The next job was a great allergy clinic job. I had no kids at the time so that helped. This job.... well... I am a lot older now... 43... and this job is chaos. It's ob/gyn clinic, understaffed, and I run.... literally... run at times... all. day. And then I come straight home to the hubby and kids asking what's for dinner... and homework.. and laundry.. and gee my son suddenly lost is gym clothes and we have to go buy new ones. The million little things that go into raising kids. I get so tired I literally can't think straight. It doesn't help that I only get about 6 hrs of sleep a night. My alarm goes off weekdays at 4:50 a.m..
I recently switched specialties and went to the night shift. I'm not exhausted at the end of my shift and on days I have off, I'm not in bed recovering. I have now enjoyed working three 12s. I would never have been able to say that on my previous unit working days. I went through three pairs of shoes constantly running around on that unit.
I also hardly drink coffee (once a month), but I love chocolate. I'm not in my 20's but I don't have any kids either so that could possibly be a part of the reason why I'm naturally high on life.
Working nights is exhausting, and working every other weekend and holidays can make having a social life a little (or a lot) more difficult.
But I put up with these things because I love my job, I have great coworkers, and am always learning something new and interesting. At this point, none of my friends or family could say all of those things about their 8-5 jobs.
But it all depends, the same speciality at another hospital could be hellish. You never know until you try, but I went to nursing school on a whim, and I'm glad I did.
After I learned appropriate delegation and not allowing my nursing priorities to be derailed by those tasks I could delegate, I'm less exhausted. The unit I work on the most has a rep for the worst NAs in the hospital, and I no longer allow them to hoodwink me into doing duties I NEED to delegate. I still go, go, go all day, but I've noticed that my patients are overall better cared for because I delegate appropriately.
Example: I was getting a discharge ready at the secretary's station when a patient family member requested an item from the supply Pyxis. An NA was sitting doing nothing, and the unit secretary told the pt that the U.S. doesn't have access. The NA said nothing. I asked the what was needed, and then the U.S. said, "She'll (me) get it for you." I turned to the NA and said, "Please pull the item and get it for the pt. Thank you!" I then walked away to do my discharge.
In a nutshell, YES. Nursing is a rewarding job, but it is very complex and demands that your attention be divided for hours at a time. You must be able to deal with sorting out the loud and demanding from the actual urgent needs. Unrealistic expectations of your clients whether they be your employer or your patient/family. It is a physically, psychologically, intellectually and emotionally demanding job. If you can come to terms with all that, it is also a rewarding job because nurses can and do make very real differences in the lives for the better of the people they come in contact with.
In all my 9 years of nursing, I have found a way to have a work-life balance that has me less exhausted; and I have worked nights and two-three jobs at least most of my career; I currently work nights and have my schedule where I am able to enjoy flexibility; and work per-diem as a supervisor and have been able to enjoy the fruits of my labor and have an active social life.
Maybe it's due to my status as a yogi and practice mediation that I'm not exhausted as much, along with the fact that I have firm boundaries with people who lack boundaries or can be soul sucking due to their personal reasons, I find nursing to be an adventurous profession, that can be a stressor in itself; there are many aspects of this business that are stressful, but life is stressful. *shrugs*
Yes, most of us are both mentally and physically exhausted, but it really depends on where you work. I have a fairly easy ICU job now, but I have worked in ICU's that were horrible, never sat down, ate, peed, etc. If you work in a place that is always short-staffed, with no support from management, then yes, you will get tired very quickly. Years ago when I had kids at home, it was much, much harder. My kids are grown now, so I have a lot more free time, and get plenty of sleep! I can say the hardest jobs I have had over the years were the 12 hr overnight shifts. 12 hr shifts quickly turn into 14-16 hr shifts when you account for your lunch break, travel time, report time, etc. Back-to-back 12 hr nights were murder.
I work overnights and have young kids(one doesn't sleep.) I also work a very draining specialty(Oncology.) I do only work 3 8s a week. 12s with my commute and my current energy level just don't work for me, and because I work weekend overnights(best paid shift), I can afford to do this. But yes, I'm exhausted.
After I learned appropriate delegation and not allowing my nursing priorities to be derailed by those tasks I could delegate, I'm less exhausted. The unit I work on the most has a rep for the worst NAs in the hospital, and I no longer allow them to hoodwink me into doing duties I NEED to delegate. I still go, go, go all day, but I've noticed that my patients are overall better cared for because I delegate appropriately.
Example: I was getting a discharge ready at the secretary's station when a patient family member requested an item from the supply Pyxis. An NA was sitting doing nothing, and the unit secretary told the pt that the U.S. doesn't have access. The NA said nothing. I asked the what was needed, and then the U.S. said, "She'll (me) get it for you." I turned to the NA and said, "Please pull the item and get it for the pt. Thank you!" I then walked away to do my discharge.
I agree delegation helps. I've learned to put the call light on when a pt wants me to help them go to the bathroom so that by the time they are up the CNA is there and can finish up if I don't have the time. Also will call the CNA if they left something undone like not putting the garbage bag in due to laziness. Sure I could do it, but why should I do their job on top of my own! Some of the lazy CNA's tick me off. They will stall rather than do what I request and then make an excuse why it wasn't done. But I will persist and insist they finish it and not give in and do it myself. To often they will be happy to have you do their job on top of yours. But I do help them with turns and bed changes. I don't want anyone to get injured. Just wish the team work went both ways!
klone, MSN, RN
14,857 Posts
The only times I felt always exhausted is when I worked nights. Otherwise, not at all. The only times I come home from work feeling exhausted is when I am working with students or precepting, because I have to do a lot more talking than usual. As an introvert, that is particularly draining.