exhausted!

[sleepyjane]

I have only been working for a little over 2 months now in a rehab hospital and I can honestly say that I have never felt so physically and emotionally exhausted in my life! I work full time days which is great. Like all of us, I am constantly running. I am off orientation now but still feel like I don't know a thing so I come home at night and question everything and try to educate myself on my own time as much as possible. I have a patient right now with burns over 80% of her body...spent 2 hours on her dressings today...and I cannot stop thinking about her and the hell she has endured. I worry about whether I missed something with the other 4 patients I was assigned because I devoted so much time to this one patient. Anyway, that aside...

I come home just about everyday from work just bone tired. My boyfriend who lives with me is starting to think I am a lazy sack because I come home and I am too tired to do anything. I go to the gym occassionally...not like before when I had a less physically and emotionally demanding job. I've been eating like crap...but somehow I've managed to lose 5 pounds! And I go to bed rediculously early and still feel like I can't get enough sleep.

Is it normal to feel this way? I feel so unbalanced right now but I am too TIRED to do anything about it. My life is revolving around this job! Any advice would help!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

More than likely it's stress that is making you tired. You have to physically take care of yourself.

For me taking a little time to rest after work helps, but then I have to drag my lazy butt to the gym, to yoga class, or something else to take care of myself. Coming home relaxing a bit and doing housework and/or other exercises gets me over that little hump of pure exhaustion and engergizes me more.

Also consider your diet, make sure your eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, etc. as well as omega 3's found in salmon, flax seeds/oil, etc.

[deeDawntee, RN]

Congratulations!! It sounds like you are ROCKING at that new job. Way to go!

I think what you are experiencing sounds entirely normal. You are giving 200% and then some. I do recommend that you learn how to pace yourself. Are you taking your breaks?? Are you eating at work?? You DO need to take care of yourself first, because when you wear yourself down to nothing, then who will the patients have to care for them? Just as in jet going down, you always put your own oxygen on before you put it one your kid or help others....

This may sound strange, but I think you need to slow down at work! Rehab is supposed to be a place where patients regain independence and I am sure that they appreciate your enthusiasm and your trying to help everybody at once, but they can wait a little longer and you can walk a little slower. You have to save some of your energy for yourself AND your relationship. It is all about balance. You will also learn how to streamline your activities as well and becoming more efficient. Also, are there things you can leave for the next shift? Nursing IS a 24 hour job, you don't have to do it all on your shift.

The stress of a new job is undoubtedly adding to your exhaustion as well, so I would say that if you can keep yourself as calm as possible you should conserve energy that way as well.

I am truly impressed. Your commitment to your patients shines through your post. I think your challenge is about balance.

:yeah: slow down and calm down!

[nurseby07]

Oh, you sound just like me. I used to run daily..now, on days off, I get the kids to school and lay around all day watching tv. I feel like I survive on coffee/diet coke to stay awake. I think part of it is the weather coupled with the adjustment of the demands of this job. I feel like a sloth. Today I will go running!