Just taking some time to vent...I sure feel like I need it.
Been a nurse for almost 2 years. For awhile, I got through that first year mark, and everything was going good. But lately, I feel things have caught up to me. I can't sleep at night, I constantly think/worry about work outside of work, so I can't even enjoy things I used to because I feel so preoccupied. I feel like there is never time to get everything done, limited resources, and so when I leave work I fret about what I might have forgotten, etc. I work day/night and a typical week schedule for me is Monday work day (7am-3:30 pm), Tuesday work day, Wednesday work night (11:15pm-7am), thursday "off" (but I sleep all that day once I get home from my Wednesday night shift), then Friday back to daylight. I'm so mixed up with my sleep patterns, I can never get used to anything. I feel sleepy all the times I shouldn't and awake all the times I should be getting some rest. I think because I feel so "sloth" like all the time, that's one reason I don't feel like doing things on my days off. I'm in my early 20's and my friends are enjoying their lives and I feel like someone ready for retirement. The thing is, I'm not on a particularly stressful floor (well, let me restate: it's stressful, but no more than any other nursing job. I don't think I'd find anything better). I like my job most of the time, the patient population that is, but I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. I'm 100% serious when I say that I am kicking around quitting and going to work full-time at a bookstore or something like that, get far far away from nursing. the only thing keeping me here a this point is I make more money than I would at a bookstore or some job like that (esp. with the economy now) and also, I feel I'd let down my family and everyone else if I throw away a 4 year degree to do something I don't need a degree for. It all feels like a waste. I worked hard for this degree, but it hardly seems worth it to feel like this all the time. I feel like life is too short, and besides, this filp flopping and stress probably isn't helping my stress. Half the time i feel like there is an elephant on my chest from stress. Here I am at almost 1am, I have to get up in less than 5 hours, and I can't sleep. This is no quality of life. It's no life at all. This isn't natural to fight your body and work all these crazy shifts. It's not right to be in a profession where it's expected that you won't take a break. No one would believe me if I told them this, I pull it together, but the fight is really starting to be uphill. I'm not depressed, I feel like I am just finally seeing the reality of everything and it's caught up to me physically now too.:uhoh21:
I was an absolute basket case when I was working days and nights at the same time. I never slept well. I'd be up till 4 AM the night before I went back to days, and falling asleep at 2 AM at work on my first night back! Can you not at least try straight nights before giving up on nursing? When I was in my 20s I had no trouble sleeping during the day when I worked nights. But when I hit my 30s (and had 2 more kids...) I got to where I couldn't sleep during the day. I felt like a zombie all the time.
Yup that is exactly what happens. You can do it no problem when you are in your twenties but somewhere in your thirties or forties it is a NO GO. Research has documented that the very young can tolerate night shift better.
You also could see a doctor and have the doc write a note stating that for health reasons you cannot work rotating shifts such as the ones you've been scheduled.
Agree. I worked in a NH where I did a day/eve double on Sat, eve Sun, then an eve/noc double on Mon. Looked great on paper b/c it gave me 4 days off. But guess what...took all four of those days just to recover. I asked my doc for a note saying I could not work rotating shifts...his response was "Nobody should even have to work doubles, much less rotating." About the same time I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia; I don't think it was a coincidence that it was the same time that I was working those crazy hours. My poor body just did not know what time it was or what day.
Sweetie, that type of schedule would make anybody crazy, even if it was not a hard job like nursing. If you start working all days or all eves, etc. you will be AMAZED at how much better you feel about the job you do.
Agree with the others...your shifts are killing you. It needs to stop ASAP. I would tell them you aren't doing the night shift anymore and will pick up a day shift if one is available. I would be firm and polite and not waiver in the least.
"I can only work days from next schedule on. I can pick up an additional day shift if one is available at present. Thank you." Period.
That's all you need to say. Put it on them. If they say they can't or won't accomodate you then find day shift work elsewhere. Don't let them bully you or pressure you. Your health comes first and they know these shifts are killer and haven't given a hoot about the toll it is taking on you.
I like the idea of a county job. I also think you might do well in a doctor's office where the schedules are mostly day hours and consistent. Pay might be a little less but so will the stress level.
I'm sorry you're feeling bad, we all know how rough nursing can be, and working rotating shifts can be hellish. I did it for 2 years before I said enough. Don't quit nursing, you sound like a great, caring nurse. There are other things to try before the bookstore. :)
1) Sleep at the same time every night, your body will adjust and you will feel much better for it. You said you worked 1st/3rd shift rotating. Try and sleep 2nd shift every night.
2) Talk to your manager, refuse to work rotating shifts anymore. Cite your adverse health as reasons why.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I also think it is the swing hours you are working that is making it difficult for you to catch up with yourself. I'd rather have steady hours of day, evening or night than a mixture. If you are able, ask if you can have steadier hours. If not, look out for a position that is more agreeable with your rhythm, so, to speak. I think that many nursing jobs are so demanding and selfish that they don't take the condition of the nurse as a person seriously. Some people may thrive on these hours, but I would probably be as burned out as you are. I wish you the best!
I noted that one factor keeping you in place was the money. I know what it is like to, " need the money ". I have a lot of people depending on me. As far as co-dependency one must be careful of a surface quick judgment call. I have 2 sisters and a son that are mentally disabled. Also have an elderly Mother. My father died at 61. My oldest Sister who is not mentally disabled has 2 types of cancer. Truly, money is a factor regarding my staying in nursing.(Does'nt God work in mysterious ways)? But....I have had a plan from the beginning. One more year and I will be financially able to take a lesser paying job. County Psych nursing does not pay nearly as well as the more highly stressed positions. In short.... I am working toward a better day. I might even leave nursing. I am also a Licensed Massage Therapist. You have to make a plan. Regarding sleep and a life. Have been working nights for a long time. It stinks:banghead: . Don't waste energy on resentment. Get a plan.
no way-no volunterring on my end. We have a steady night nurse-so I only work nights on her days off. That's why I can't get clumped any nights in a row
If you work her nights off, talk to her about taking her nights off together. I work nights and have for 13 years -- My one "carved in granite" rule NO split weekends! One night off = No nights off because you sleep it away!:zzzzz
no way-no volunterring on my end. We have a steady night nurse-so I only work nights on her days off. That's why I can't get clumped any nights in a row
It sounds like you are only working one night right now so I would tell them you can only work days as of your next schedule. That will allow you to keep all your day shifts and perhaps force them to get someone to cover her where it isn't making your life a living hell due to lack of sleep. This is your employer's problem not yours. Put it back on them.
You need to work a straight shift. It is utterly riduculous to make you come back on Days after 1 day "off", that you had to spend sleeping. Try doing either straight Nights or 3-11 if you can't get a Day shift.
Only you, of course, can know if Nursing is right for you but I hope you will try to get your sleep cycle more balanced before deciding. Just tell your boss you can no longer rotate. Or that you need 3 months of each shift before flopping to the other one. (No doubt, she'll fall off of her chair.) It takes a while to adjust.
Specializes in Board Certified in Gerontological Nursin.
Sweetie, I've been working nights straight full time 5 days a week since January, and I only manage it because I have plywood boards that I put up over my bedroom windows when I sleep. I take melatonin, a natural sleep hormone to help me get to sleep, too. I turn off the phone. You need to sleep regular hours...sleeping pms is a possibility. Take care of yourself first! Good luck, it won't last forever!
:zzzzz
oramar
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