Do you think nursing is physically unhealthy?

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I work part time because I think it is healthier than working full time as a nurse because even if you are a great nurse, you are exposed to stress everyday. Do you agree?

I have a question to the ones that are finding it very tough and stressful is it because your doing mostly bedside nursing? what area of nursing do you work in?

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I have a question to the ones that are finding it very tough and stressful is it because your doing mostly bedside nursing? what area of nursing do you work in?

I'm pretty sure that most of the nurses who agreed that nursing is unhealthy are O.R. nurses because this is an O.R. nursing section.

Almost every type of acute care nursing is unhealthy though. If you want a nursing job that is not unhealthy, your goal should be to get some kind of desk job. There are some nursing jobs that do not include patient care such as management, research, education, etc.

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Specializes in Critical care/ER, SRNA.
Oh, I absolutely think nursing (at least where I work) is a toxic thing. And take the stress out of altogether, but consider the fact, that whether or not you are guaranteed 2 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch break, the reality is that you probably won't get them. A couple of weeks ago, I clocked in for my 3-11 shift, used the bathroom about 9:45 and finally wolfed down a piece of cold pizza (ordered about 8:30 by another nurse who got no breaks). As a health care professional, working in a health care facility, I am allowed to take care of my own health and administration certainly shows now concerns about it.

Add to that rules like no bottled waters or other kinds of liquids for hydration at the nursing desk (and we have no drinking fountain inside our locked unit) and it's just plai9n nasty.

I can walk 5 or 6 miles on a nice day outside, but after 8 hours I feel like my body's been hit by a truck. Even with the best shoes available. The flooring materials suck.

So yes, nursing as I know it, is toxic to my health.

AMEN!! I couldn't have said it better!! ;) :lol2:

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Specializes in Acute rehab/geriatrics/cardiac rehab.
I have a question to the ones that are finding it very tough and stressful is it because your doing mostly bedside nursing? what area of nursing do you work in?

Bedside nursing is rough. I'm seriously thinking of an outpatient clinic since I'm in graduate school or if I don't complete all the course work I am considering community health. Being a nurse away from the hospital setting probably will still be stressful, but it should be a little less hard on the body.

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Specializes in Acute rehab/geriatrics/cardiac rehab.

duplicate post

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i work full time and have 4 children, my youngest is 2yrs old. i do get tired and drained but i would say im healthy. Im hardly off sick and when i am off it tends to be the children who are ill, so i have carers day.

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Nursing indeed is physically unhealthy. but you should not consider yourself a nurse if you'll be as much as unhealthy as your patients. we nurses should know all those anti- stress techniques, those preventive measures we've always been applying and all that so we'll stay HEALTHY ayt?

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

Physically unhealthy, no working days, yes working nights. Definately emotionally challenging which can lead to mental health problems.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

no its perfectly healthy for you, as long as you go golfing, exercise, and drink lots of coffee and tea

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Specializes in telemetry, med-surg and hospice.

I've been a nurse for five years and two months ago I had a laminectomy and diskectomy. This job is not only emotionally stressful, but it is physically stressful. New nurses make sure to watch your body mechincs.

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Specializes in School Nursing/Med-Surg/ICU.

Nursing is really a stressful profession. But I guess it also depends on the unit you're assigned and the people you work with and of course, your own personality. If you're a type A, you probably would not last 15 years, if at all.

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no its perfectly healthy for you, as long as you go golfing, exercise, and drink lots of coffee and tea

No offense, but that's like saying that smoking is perfectly healthy for you, as long as you go golfing and exercise.

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