Exhausted and depressed

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Mar 23, 2010

I'm sorry you're feeling so down and worn out.

I have actually been doing some research on Vitamin D lately, and would like to have my own levels checked. Apparently, Vit D deficiency is becoming more and more common, and causes many issues, depression and sleep disturbances being a couple of them. Personally, I KNOW I don't get enough sun or enough from my diet, so I just started on a supplement myself. Give it some time to see if there's any effect, it can take several weeks to feel it.

Hopefully it will get easier the longer you're in it. Even after a year, that may not be long enough to gain the next "comfort level" (I find I still hit points where I feel more comfortable and in a groove, after 9 years). Do what you can to take care of YOU on your days off, and do things you enjoy, no matter how small.

All the best.

LifelongDream · Mar 23, 2010

You're not alone. I started inPediatrics in August of last year. I'm working nights and I'm miserable. During school, my clinicals were at night and I loved it, but I worked my three days together. Now, I work two days on, two days off and i'm constantly readjusting to day/night schedule. I have three kids and I feel like a horrible mother because I have no energy on my days off. Prior to this I was a teacher and I'm wondering if I made the best decision for my kids. I'm also very nervous because it seems that my charge nurse sometimes pretends to know how to do procedures and later I find she has shown me the wrong way. It seems like a disaster is just around the corner. Ugh, I don't know what to do....

sistasoul · Mar 23, 2010

You're not alone. I started inPediatrics in August of last year. I'm working nights and I'm miserable. During school, my clinicals were at night and I loved it, but I worked my three days together. Now, I work two days on, two days off and i'm constantly readjusting to day/night schedule. I have three kids and I feel like a horrible mother because I have no energy on my days off. Prior to this I was a teacher and I'm wondering if I made the best decision for my kids. I'm also very nervous because it seems that my charge nurse sometimes pretends to know how to do procedures and later I find she has shown me the wrong way. It seems like a disaster is just around the corner. Ugh, I don't know what to do....[/quo
I am sorry you are having a hard time. I know how hard you worked for that RN after your name. I feel like the reality of nursing is a lot different than clinicals. Clinicals should be based more on the reality new nurses will be facing. I sometimes feel like I made a mistake becoming a nurse. I love the patient care but all of the redundant charting and other BS makes the job almost impossible to do.
Is there someone else that you work with that can show you how to do these procedures? Some nurses like to teach and mentor. Or maybe your education department would be willing to go over some procedures with you. Can you switch to days or evenings? I know I cannot handle the third shift as I have worked those hours before I became a nurse. Some people can adjust to those hours while others can't. I cannot imagine having children and working those hours. I would definitely try to get off of that shift as soon as you can or see if you can get 3 days in a row on. I think if you talked to your nurse manager about your schedule she/he might be able to change it. I know that the nurse managers want us to be as happy as possible so as we will not leave because of the hospital's investment in us newbies.
I was told by one of the charge nurses I work with to wait 2 years to decide if I liked my job or not. It can take up to 2 years to feel comfortable. I had an instructor tell me that it took her 3-4 years before she felt comfortable. I think the newness of being a nurse may be contributing also.
Take care...

country mom · Mar 23, 2010

Your title is "Exhausted and Depressed" , did your doctor screen you for depression?

fungez · Mar 23, 2010

If you're working nights switch to days as soon as you possibly can. I worked nights for years and it never got better. I used to cry driving in, and fantasize about running my car into a tree so I wouldn't have to be there. I can't sleep during the day and I was a walking zombie, dysfunctional and irritable. My last night shift was almost a decade ago and I will never work another, not even one night, not for any amount of money.

If that doesn't work start looking for a non hospital job. Yes, you'll take a paycut, but life is too short to be that miserable. I wish you all the best.

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2010

It's not easy working nights. After a 3 or 4 day stint, I find that on my first day off I sleep all day until about 4pm, then go to bed at 9pm again and wake up at 1am. I stay up until the kids go to school and then sleep again from 9-2 in the afternoon. By the time I get my timetable switched around, it's time to do it all over again.

So, you are not alone. I'm exhausted all the time too.

nlion87 · Mar 23, 2010

Have you been tested for hypothyroidism? Depression and exhaustion are key symptoms you may want to get some bloodwork done to rule this out

McGwillis · Mar 23, 2010

sistasoul --

You just told my story! (only I am on an ortho/oncology floor -- pain management is a beetch when it is EVERY patient you have, and when nothing ever seems to work well enough for many of them, AND you're struggling to get everything to them on time and are trying to manage 5-6 at a time). I have only been a nurse for 8 months, and I am exhausted and depressed. My labs are coming out fine, but I lost 35lbs since I started my job in July! I have been eating crap since then, but I am so stressed out at work that it is causing the weight loss. I sleep all day long on my days off too -- I feel like I don't have any leisurely activities anymore because I spend all of my time recovering from workdays. I also find myself needing to cry periodically during the workday. Being a hospital floor nurse is NOT working out for me. I feel like I am losing my mind, and I am not handling the patient load that I should be at this point in time. Right now I want to quit my job even though I haven't found anything else yet. I am desperate.

I also was D deficient, but I underwent the 50k/week treatment and now take 1000 every day (gummies make it happen).

But yeah -- hang in there -- keep the faith. We both need to put into action some good coping mechanisms until other work can be found. It may not be a good fit for you. I am going to try 8 hour shifts for a while, start going to bed earlier, do some light yoga stretch stuff in the morning before work, and PRAY whenever possible. You will make it through, and so will I.

monicanurse · Mar 23, 2010

I have been a nurse for a little over 7 years and I have seen the responsibility of nurses becoming greater and greater, to the point where everything is left for the nurse to do. Hospitals will eat you right up if you let them. I am lucky enough right now that I can work part time , but I just found out my manager wants me to work two days on call ( which usually does not mean on call...you always have to come in) a month. I work part time, but with these on call days, I will be working full time and that is not what I want so I have stood my ground and just told them I will only do it temporarily. It has gotten to the point where for me, it is not worth it to work full time.

If you guys need a break, you might want to teach in community colleges...and just do one shift in the hospital once a month. Many community colleges are looking for nurses to teach future nurses. Or you can get an office job at a doctors office, work in pharmaceutical research....or for insurance companies. There are other options. Although I like taking care of people, it seems more and more these days, they are making it impossible for us to do our job. This is something that has led me to think I dont want to work in hospitals anymore. If I do, I just cut my hours drastically. It is not worth it to me! You have to really ask yourselves , is it worth it at the end of the day? If the answer is no, then you have your answer.

You should enjoy your job! If it doesnt add to your life, I would say, be patient and look for other options. I know with this economy, it is hard , but keep on looking for something that will make you happy. after all, the patients pick that up. They know if you are unhappy with your job. It doesnt do anyone any favors.

As far as time off from work, yes.....I can relate. It takes me two full days to recover from 2 / 15 hour days ( 12 hour shifts have become 15 hour shifts will all the charting and patient load). First day, I want to sleep most of the day and I allow myself to rest half the day if I can. The second day is much better but I have no energy to go to the gym . I try to eat right and exercise on the days I do have off. I try to go out once a week with my hubby on date night. YOU are the Most Important ! Nurses ( or caregivers) forget that! Take care of YOU!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 23, 2010

depression can cause exhaustion and vice versa. Continue to look for cause under BOTH topics.

hawkfdc · Mar 23, 2010

Wow, how interesting to stumble across this topic. Even though I don't think my issues are health related, I just started a new job in a new hospital closer to home but 3 weeks in and I already hate it. I'm thinking about going back to my old job 2 hours away instead of this insanity.