Feel like a ZOMBIE!!! :( New RN

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Hello. I shadowed a nurse last night on a med/surg unit. I did this to see if I liked the ward. Overall, it went fine. After about 5 hours of constantly walking around, assessing, watching and so forth... I felt woozy. My body felt really, really tired. :sleep: Today I woke up and feel hung-over.... really out of it. :grn: Ugh. Will I get used to this fast pace, on my feet and running all the time?? :uhoh21: I have not worked a job in three years; been in RN school all this time. So I have mostly sat my computer and in classes with the exception of clinical, but that was on my feet for maybe 5 hours at a time tops. So yeah... I guess I am out of shape.

Help! I liked the Med/ Surg ward and think it's a great place to start a RN career, but the pace seems like it's going to KILL me. :trc: How did you all get used to this??? HELP!!! :hdvwl:

:plsebeg:

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I would think it's an issue of building up your stamina, and making sure when you're not at work you are well-rested and eating properly.

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Specializes in ER.

It will get better. Nursing school is totally different than the real world of nursing. I wasn't used to 12 hrs shifts (which turn into 14 hr shifts) either. It takes about 6 months to get the hang of it. Try eating small snacks throughout your shift when you feel woozy. That way your blood sugar won't crash. Also try to sit down to chart, talk to patients, etc. That really helps. Take your breaks. Go to the bathroom when you need to. Trust me though it does get better and it takes TIME!

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Get on a regular schedule, work, home, sleep, set alarm and get up at the same time. Eat nutritious snacks/meals, drink lots of water, stay away from power drinks (you'll crash about 4 hours later). You can do it! it just takes some time to get adjusted to a new routine/lifestyle. :nuke:

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Thanks! :nuke: That is good news to know. Wow. I like nursing very much and was discouraged because I felt wiped-out. Ok, guess this is normal then. I am relieved. :rcgtku:

At this particular hospital, they have push computer carts the nurses wheel with them from room to room. The nurse only sat ONE TIME the entire shift at the main nurses station. She pushed the computer with the charts on it all night. I am with you... sit when you can. However, the way they have this designed, the nurse does not need to sit because she is assigned a push cart computer when she arrives. Her name is on it, and she just walks and pushes it all night. She never took a break... so neither did I really. Man... it was a marathon. :bugeyes:

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

really sneaks up on you - huh? :bugeyes:

i thought i could do circles around any nurse before i started - not only was i feeling a bit smug over it - but, i turned out to be very mistaken. actually just flat out wrong.

it kicked my bum.

i would come in after 0700-1900 and think i will not change clothes or was up, i'll just sit here for a few minutes and i'd wake at 0300 on the sofa, in my scrubs and occasionally my shoes. :p

how did this happen?

:hngon:

well, it gets better - it hindsight, i think a big part of it is "mental strain" (firefighter paramedic less strained than er nurse, i know seems like an odd explanation). it took me about a month to get my routine.

stay hydrated - eat well (protein) and take care of yourself. :smilecoffeecup: and :pumpiron: helps too!

any nurse that does not put self care as a priority will not be able to provide the best care to any patient. really!

good luck.

practice safe!

;)

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any nurse that does not put self care as a priority will not be able to provide the best care to any patient.

really like that. thanks!! :nuke: i have been working out too the last month... four times a week at the gym, walking, swimming, ski machine, etc. so i think that helped me overall-- still it was tough.

thanks for the words of encouragement!

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Does this unit have desk top computers? Using a mobile unit is great for meds and admits but I prefer to sit at the dest and do my other charting there. Always make sure you take your meal break and take it off the unit if at all possible. I am adamant that that 30 minutes is mine. It is unpaid time and I deserve the right to get away from my pt load to regroup. Make sure as other said you keep hydrated and pace yourself! Good luck!

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