Caring nurse turned Raging *****

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg.

I have been a floor nurse for 6 months. In that time, I have developed back spasms, high blood pressure, chest pains, dry hair, splotchy skin, extra weight, bitten fingernails and an absolutely raving ****** side that comes out at work and at home.

I know I need to care for myself first if I am going to care for others. . .but I work 3-4 12 hour shifts (which are NEVER 12 hours - always at least 14) and on my days off, all I can do is sleep.

(I am chewing on my fingernail right now while washing down a muscle relaxer with a glass of red wine)

WHY IS THIS JOB SO IMPOSSIBLE?!?!?!?!?!??!!?!??!!??!!?!?

I need to rant and I am actually too tired to rant.

Did nursing change your personalities?

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Specializes in PCCN.

yep- my thoughts exactly. gained 40 lbs in 4 years- actually in the first 2 is more like it. agreed on the shift hours and sleeping any other time that im not at work. back pain from hauling up 400 lb people in bed. working day, eve and nite shifts all in the same week. working short handed. one may ask- why do i continue this? well, what else am i going to do.started out caring. now all i care about is getting meds passed by lunch. and no one falling.cant even do the bare minimum.yeah, id like to care about the pt- its impossible to do so.

on another note- is your thyroid off? depressed?( as if one wouldnt be depressed in this situation, duh)

all i can say is i sympathise with you. im sorry. it sucks.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Did nursing change your personalities?

Nope.

Why are you working 4 12-hour shifts?

Sounds like you're unhappy in your job, and maybe you should try finding another area of nursing.

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

Uh, you might have something going on other than just stress. I'd get a thorough check-up if I was walking in your Crocs.

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Don’t work more than what your body can handle-----it will surely take a toll on you. Also, maybe you could discuss your health issues with your doctor? I wish you well.

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I'm 58 years old and I wish in my youth, I'd chosen a different "profession" - yes I was told it was a profession yet see it portrayed as a "trade". There are people who are called to this profession and those of us who choose it but are not really "called". I took time out to raise children, travelled and returned to nursing in my 40's and I'm burned out again from being overloaded, understaffed, and under the direction of managers/"leaders" who don't seem to have a nurses bone in their bodies.

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I

(I am chewing on my fingernail right now while washing down a muscle relaxer with a glass of red wine)

WHY IS THIS JOB SO IMPOSSIBLE?!?!?!?!?!??!!?!??!!??!!?!?

I need to rant and I am actually too tired to rant.

Did nursing change your personalities?

Only if you let it. It WILL try to change you..but you have to stick to your guns and not let it. These mostly happens in a toxic work environment. You need to re-eval.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Enhanced what's already there....

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Enhanced what's already there....

Ouch...

There is a little bit of nature vs Nurture here. Is it really her nature or is her environment not nurturing enough hence this meltdown. There are varied reasons ... all of them bad.

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Specializes in CAMHS, acute psych,.

Hi Lola

I agree with Moogie (Hi Moogie). Here are my suggestions:

1. Time management skills - learn how, fast.

2. See a doc to check for any underlying conditions.

3. Learn how to set boundaries - all that overtime suggests a need, here.

4. Stress management - e.g. relaxation and mindfulness exercises - need to practise daily - if you don't learn to de-stress your cortisol will kill you!

5. Sit down with your best friend or a notebook and figure out a) where/why it is going wrong for you (you then know what else you need to change) and b) where you want to go in your life and in your career in nursing. You can then work to a plan. Take control sooner rather than later, Lola.

Best wishes

Trish

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

It is a good idea to reassess your entire situation, both at home and at work to determine exactly where your stress is coming from. It may not all be work related, believe me (been there). When I started from nursing school I started on a 42 bed post op cardiovascular floor. We had 21 patients each. We did not have as much paper work but what we did not have in paper work we made up for in numbers of patients. It was BUSY and I never had to worry about gaining weight because I ran those floors non stop. But nursing is more complicated now. A LOT MORE. You nurse paper work and machines more than you nurse patients sometimes. But if you can learn good organizational and communication skills for use in times of stress it will be a great help to you in your whole life. And I can only tell you that there are times when I went to a therapist and did take antidepressants. We get to thinking that we can do everything and can save everyone but we can't. I used to take all my work home and worry about everyone and everything. But no more. I finally understood that people are responsible for their own decisions and that includes the people I work with. All I can do is take care of myself. Good luck and keep us posted. We all know how hard this can be.

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If you're on night shift, get off ASAP. Night shift makes everyone crazy.

Can you cut down to part-time, or even better, PRN? I've worked PRN for years and I'll never go back. Even if I work 40+ hours in a week, there's a huge satisfaction knowing that you don't have to work unless you feel like it. Right now I'm one of the unit's best employees, but I'd be one of the worst real quick if I was forced to work days I didn't want to be there.

Third, keep in mind this is just a job. Try to leave it there when you clock out. Focus on the rewarding parts and forget the rest.

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