Does EVERYONE Feel Like This?

Published

Muscle aches, extreme tiredness, throbbing feet, no social life, just exhausted or is it just me? Had a blood work up done in June, everything is normal, but good grief! I became an LPN since June, 2006, and working in a clinic. It is easier than the floors, but I am still beat to the bone. :o

Specializes in LTC, office.

Nursing is an exhausting profession, no doubt about it. :smilecoffeeIlovecof

As Cookiefreak mentioned, yoga is a great stress-reliever. I need to get back to it.

We have to take good care of ourselves, nursing is very demanding. I used to work in LTC, for the last seven years I have been an office nurse. Different type of demanding, but incredibly challenging.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

I know what you mean. I want to sleep all the time and working nights doesn't help any! My husband hates it. He feels like we never do anything exciting or fun because I am always tired, which is true. I keep telling him that it's just for a limited time while I'm going back to school but I might end up looking for a new job soon.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I take the Ginseng tablets and they do not make me nervous or jittery like the diet pills. I haven't experienced any side effects from taking the Ginseng. It helps to boost your energy & mental alertness. Also, I have taken Vitamin B Complex in the past which REALLY helps with mental/emotional fatigue & exhaustion. Since I work 12hr night shift, I usually take 2 tablets of Ginseng prior to going to work, and they really help. Especially by my third night in a row, I need it! Hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do you maintain a set schedule? As much as possible on nights? I work night shift also, and I always take a small nap the first night back on the job. Then, no matter what time I get home in the morning, I always wake up at 1430-1500. The first few weeks are hell, but your body gets used to it eventually. I do this because my other days off I have to do a normal person's circadian (up during the day & sleep at night). I hope you find something that works for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

Yes, I feel tired most days and nursing is exhausting, I feel like it just takes everything out of me. I used to be able to do lots of things on not a lot of sleep but now I need to sleep or I don't function. I have also started taking vitamins with iron and this helps but I still am beat a lot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

nope pagandeva, its not just you... i feel sometimes like i got run over with a mack truck!! just muscle aches, headaches, general malaise... even on my day off i just want to sleep! i work from 7am-4:30pm and then go to school from 5pm-11pm and stay up to study at night until around 2am 6 days a week. i probably spend more money on starbucks than groceries.i have to admit though, taking vitamins everyday really has helped me... i take a multivitamin, a b-complex, a fish oil, and a caltrate. and i swear by my ted hose!! my first spider vein popped out at age 21... and ive worn them to work ever since!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yeah, you are not alone. It is a horrible feeling, though, because I don't want to think that I am working to the bone and gaining nothing in quality of life. The bills are going down, and that is a good thing. But, these patients (as much as I care for them) are draining the life out of me, as well as the negative co-workers and un-empathetic administration. I hate sitting at their meetings, literally sick to my stomach when I see them.

YEP...YEP...YEP!!!!

we got a "new" staffing grid so that we have LESS staff scheduled for patient care (nurses and aids) and management said "well, now we're overstaffed, so if you don't like the changes....then quit!".

They might as well have just gone around the room and kicked everyone in the rear!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

Add me to the list!

Although, in my case, work is not the only cause for me feeling like this. I also have narcolepsy, and it can make a long, strenuous, and exhausting(physically, mentally, and emotionally) day...seem even more long, strenuous, and exhausting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Utilization Management.
Do the Ginseng tablets make you nervous or edgy? I was thinking about that, and many of the nurses drink Red Bull, an energy drink. I get afraid to take some of these things because years ago, when I took diet pills, I would get severe heart palpitations that used to wake me up in the middle of the night.

Yes, some of these herbals can affect your heart, so please make sure you look up the s/e's in your drug book and consult your doc before you take them. I cannot take those either, so you're not alone.

I've just begun taking a B-complex from GNC that has extended release 150 mg of each B vitamin, as well as Vit. C extended release 1000 mg/day, and Vit. E, and Omega 3 fish oil. I'm also trying something called Alpha Lipoic acid.

I also just started doing the AM/PM Yoga workout. More about that in my journal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

My legs have been tired and achy and I have some spider veins now so I decided to get some support hose. I've worn them for the past 2 shifts and my legs feel good! I think it will take me awhile to get used to them though. I'm going to start taking my vitamins regularly like a good girl to see if that makes a difference.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel that too. Does any one have any advice about how to avoid the emotional turmoil of nursing?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

You can't really avoid it, I think you just learn how to deal with it. Try talking about it with someone. I always vent to my husband when I have a bad night. Even though he doesn't understand he still listens. You could talk to other nurses or friends that are willing to listen. Writing in a journal might help. Even posting on here might! If your hospital has an employee assistance program you could always set up an appointment with a counselor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion