Do you ever feel alone?

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Hello nurses,

do you ever feel alone? that no one really understands the stress of this profession. I have been in this profession for a while now and it has been hard. There are days when I am so tired. I have been job hunting for quite a few months trying to find something that fits that does drain everything from me. All I want is to start and leave on time. I have turned down a few offers because I am trying to take care of myself.

I am wondering if someone in this profession and also enjoy their job. I have accepted a job and the terms of the original contract were changed, it has been a nightmare, the commute is brutal (2hr each way), never finish on time, not enough time to have lunch. Not sure if the contract terms changing is a sign to move on.

My partner doesn't understand he can only see green, of least importance at this stage of the game. Thinks I'm nuts to turn down a job that pays well, despite the above conditions. I just want to love my job and leave on time. Is that too much to ask?

Everyone has their moment, I want mine. I don't know if it's wishful thinking but I feel deep deep down that things are about to change for the better. My opportunity is coming, God is on my side he hears the tears. Thanks for reading. I wish everyone all the best, may you all be happy in your profession.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

By reading your post you sounds very sad and depressed. I agree. I want to be happy also. I had made some changes with my job but I still work at the same facility. I felt so overwhelmed with the last position I had. I had started to call in. Something I didnt do often. Right then and there I knew I had to make some changes. My boyfriend is very supportive to me because he dont want to see me sad and unhappy. When I came home upset and mad, he stated dont let me go up there to get those people straight. He was tired of me coming home more stressed than tired. He always told me you have to do what you have to do. If we have to make some changes on the some of the extra things we do. I was glad to hear that. I made a change and make more money in the process. I dont have to deal with the politics of each unit because I work in the float pool.

I am not going to tell you what to do but make sure you are okay and healthy. The money is important. When you die can you take the money with you. Just my few cents. Good luck and keep us posted.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I think you should listen to your inner feeling that something good is coming your way. I am in a great place now professionally and believe me, I count my blessings every single day that I go to work.

However, there is no doubt in my mind that I could never have attained the position that I have without all of the stepping stones that I took, some of which wore me out physically and mentally, at least one of which put me over the edge into anxiety issues, and at least one of which I absolutely detested. While most nursing positions build your knowledge base, I can pinpoint specific experiences in previous jobs that have enabled me to qualify for the position that I now hold. Without those painful first jobs, I would never be where I am now.

So keep on keepin on and hold out for what you know you deserve.

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I just wanted to wish you the best, hopefully a less stressful job will come along. Money isn't everything. You are absolutely right to want a job that allows you to live outside of work. good luck to you.

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I completely understand where you are coming from. Tonight I go to my last shift in a job that has driven me to the edge. I gave my 2 weeks notice 2 weeks ago. And it was time. Let me tell you my experience, and maybe you won't feel as alone.

I am so sorry for your long commute. I can't imagine putting that on top of all the other problems we face. I too have been facing 13-14 hr shifts with no time for lunch. Emotionally abusive patients and co-workers (they were the minority - but still we don't need that on top of everything else). When I get home I cry until I fall asleep and my alarm goes off for another day.

For the first year of this job I spent it on night shift, and I worked every weekend, and all of the holidays except one. When I was finally able to move to day shift, they again gave me the worst schedule - which is understandable because I was the new days person.

I recently became pregnant 5 months ago, I had been throwing up at work, and picking up other sicknesses. The one time I called in sick, they wouldn't let me as it was a holiday weekend. Not even the day, and I worked on the actual holiday anyway, but they still made me work that entire weekend with morning sickness and flu bug.'

I asked recently if I could go part time - and they refused saying, "That's really not ideal, we don't want to hire another nurse." I felt so unappreciated and abused, I thought I had really been a good employee to them over the past 2 years. I had a horrible day not long ago, and I came home until I threw up everything I had eaten. I called in and gave my 2 weeks notice. I've been there almost 2 years, I've been miserable and it's time to move on.

I immediately started searching for other jobs and interviewing like a mad women over the past two weeks. Today I accepted a position in home health, and I'm excited for a new chapter in my life. This was all done with a lot of praying and scripture reading to help me overcome my fears and anxieties.

If it's time, it's time. We only have a little while in this life to live, and nothing is more important than your time and happiness.

Try to help your husband understand how unhappy you are, and the importance of being happy. Also, that there are good options for nurses who still want to make money, but not have a stroke doing it. Home health (which I avoided for a long time, has turned out to be the greatest blessing of my life). Let me know how you're doing. Are you struggling with depression/anxiety/ocd? My OCD tendencies made my job more difficult. If you need to talk to anyone, I am here, and I would be happy to discuss anything with you.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, RESEARCH, REHAB, HOME HEALTH, QUALITY.

quit and go agency if you don't need the benefits.. it will help you have some control over your schedule and life until you want to get back into the race again..or find a float pool so you can get the insurance and you will still be able to have some control..

Good luck life is too short and in the end all you have is memories and your family so start enjoying yourself again..

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Specializes in M/S, ICU, ICP.

destiny, you are not alone and no one can fully understand what it feels like to be a nurse or healthcare worker unless they do it themselves. healthcare is the most unbelievable job there is. it totally drains every part of your being and is much more than "tasks" or "skills". running a 2 hour "code" is physically hard work, but nothing compared to the emotional upheaval inside you once it is long over, there are meds to pass, and oh heavens "do not forget to chart it all!" (like i am brain dead for hours it seems after a code or a patient suddenly tanks at the start of a shift. i literally feel like i am a zombie and on automatic pilot the rest of my shift)

knowledge and skills are enhanced as you gain experience and things do tend to run smoother and faster with practice but from the moment a nurse's feet hit the floor there is an emotional factor only another nurse can "get." there is this inner spiritual connection that most nurse's have, empathy or compassion, i am not sure what word would best apply.

healthcare is something that touches your soul. (and takes something away from it as well...probably that healing nature that drew most of us into nursing to begin with) and no matter how good you are, or how organized or how efficient, if there is not something filling you back up eventually you become burned out. you cannot keep getting water out of a well unless at some point there is fresh water coming in.

it is what makes nursing and healthcare different from every other job on earth. most large companies have office politics and the break room gossips. there are always those that want to be "the golden child" and tattle or play mind games. back stabbing, strife, and the bullies are sadly everywhere. overtime and good days and short days are in every hospital......but i think that the very essence of nursing leaves your soul open and vulnerable. only another nurse seems to ever "get it."

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Specializes in M/S, ICU, ICP.
i completely understand where you are coming from. tonight i go to my last shift in a job that has driven me to the edge. i gave my 2 weeks notice 2 weeks ago. and it was time. let me tell you my experience, and maybe you won't feel as alone.

i am so sorry for your long commute. i can't imagine putting that on top of all the other problems we face. i too have been facing 13-14 hr shifts with no time for lunch. emotionally abusive patients and co-workers (they were the minority - but still we don't need that on top of everything else). when i get home i cry until i fall asleep and my alarm goes off for another day.

for the first year of this job i spent it on night shift, and i worked every weekend, and all of the holidays except one. when i was finally able to move to day shift, they again gave me the worst schedule - which is understandable because i was the new days person.

i recently became pregnant 5 months ago, i had been throwing up at work, and picking up other sicknesses. the one time i called in sick, they wouldn't let me as it was a holiday weekend. not even the day, and i worked on the actual holiday anyway, but they still made me work that entire weekend with morning sickness and flu bug.'

i asked recently if i could go part time - and they refused saying, "that's really not ideal, we don't want to hire another nurse." i felt so unappreciated and abused, i thought i had really been a good employee to them over the past 2 years. i had a horrible day not long ago, and i came home until i threw up everything i had eaten. i called in and gave my 2 weeks notice. i've been there almost 2 years, i've been miserable and it's time to move on.

i immediately started searching for other jobs and interviewing like a mad women over the past two weeks. today i accepted a position in home health, and i'm excited for a new chapter in my life. this was all done with a lot of praying and scripture reading to help me overcome my fears and anxieties.

if it's time, it's time. we only have a little while in this life to live, and nothing is more important than your time and happiness.

try to help your husband understand how unhappy you are, and the importance of being happy. also, that there are good options for nurses who still want to make money, but not have a stroke doing it. home health (which i avoided for a long time, has turned out to be the greatest blessing of my life). let me know how you're doing. are you struggling with depression/anxiety/ocd? my ocd tendencies made my job more difficult. if you need to talk to anyone, i am here, and i would be happy to discuss anything with you.

((((((hugs)))))) and hang in there. you and the op as well.

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Hello everyone,

thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement. I would like to say that I am very happy for the nurses on the forum that enjoy their jobs. For the nurses that do not I really believe beautiful things happen to everyone.

I really don't know where this inner positive feeling is coming from, or if it's wishful thinking. I do believe that God will take care of me. At this time I am at a difficult period in my life. I am trying to find meaningful happy employment. My marriage appears to be in trouble.

I am miss walking on the beach of my old town, with not a care in the world. Don't get me wrong there are components of my present life that are so beautiful it's brings me to tears.

I wish I could get the work situation solved so that I could focus on the other areas of my life that need to be fixed or changed. Anyway changing is coming, in a blink of an eye things could change for the better.

Thanks again this forum is really great. :yeah:

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Hang in there.

I have been there too and wish only the best for you.

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Specializes in dialysis (mostly) some L&D, Rehab/LTC.

I think we've all been there at one time or another:eek:

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