Any nurses who tire easily, feel generally weaker than avg?

Nurses General Nursing

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Are there any RNs out there who feel weak and/or tire easily? I'm short and petite, get headaches easily if I miss a meal. I am pretty strong though... just lack endurance. I'm in nursing school right now.. just wondering if any nurses out there have advice, can share thoughts on meeting the physical demands of nursing? Also, have you switched to a different field within nursing because it was less physical? I want to be an excellent nurse who pulls her weight and goes above and beyond, but I wonder what it will really be like...

I used to be tired all the time and get headaches constantly. My thyroid levels were "normal", but I got put on synthroid and never get headaches anymore (or at least get them very rarely). I can also function with about 6 hours of sleep (I still prefer a bit more!), and before, I needed at least 10.

I was able to work in my fatigued state, I just had no energy for anything else.

That's what I'm wondering about... Will I have energy for outside of work? I'm glad you were able to minimize your headaches! What a relief. I don't get them often, maybe once or twice a month around menses or just if I haven't eaten. My thyroid levels are normal too... I'm like you, I can function on 6 hours of sleep, but I really need 8. I know one thing I need to do is exercise more...

I'm going into nursing because it is a hard job but can be very rewarding and fulfilling. I don't want to feel tired all the time though or depressed.... Self-care in nursing is important. I hope to find balance. Anyway, I guess I should graduate first and get licensed :)

Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I'm thinking you should go to your PCP and discuss this issue.

I'm thinking you should go to your PCP and discuss this issue.

I did. But yes, your comment reminds me to not share personal health issues online. I was just wondering how people who tend to get tired easily deal with such a physical job as nursing. Do you just sleep a lot during off-work days? I guess I'll see when I get there.

Specializes in Geriatric/Sub Acute, Home Care.

I was born tired.....seemed like I was always seeing a doctor because of fatique and wanting to sleep my life away....and I wasnt even a nurse yet....nothing was found wrong with me physically....although I FELT crappy..

I wont sugarcoat nursing....its a very tough job....demanding on your physical strength as well as mental. And it can also get to your spiritual state if you are into that. But.....after bringing my job home with me all the time...worrying my head off if I did this that and the other thing before I left....being concerned about my patients after I was gone...and feeling like I never did a good enough job no matter how I tried or long I stayed.....it all comes down to having great co workers, upbeat, willing to help, always there when you need them, and management is willing to lend a helping hand too which is difficult to find nowadays......If you work in a low mood,

continuously stress filled environment where there is not a break in the clouds for sunshine...you will be drawn down and down until you wont be able to get up again. I found out in all the years and all the jobs I have had....that the job can be the most miserable in the world...but if you have great people to work with.....it doesnt matter.....this I feel would help perk you up and relieve those headaches and not feeling well. Its the UPLIFT you get from people that matters most...but...thats just my opinion. Hope I helped....ps.......you could be run down....low in B vitamins, dehydrated....or justplain questioning yourself about your career......DO I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW.......maybe a different setting in nursing may be in the cards for you...such as maternity, most times its a happy occasion on that floor. If you continue to feel poorly...see your doctor for a workup.

Yep!!! I'm tired for various reasons -- sleep deprivation and medical reasons being the top picks. I was working three 12s on night shift, couldn't work my days in a row because I need more sleep. All I did on my days off was catch up on sleep, which didn't help my mood.

My answer - I switched to 8 hour shifts. I'm happier, more energetic at work. I didn't realize how poorly 12 hr shifts affected my performance at work and home. And how overtired I was at the end of the day and all the time. I need to exercise more, sometimes that helps with my energy level.

Specializes in CCRN, ED, Unit Manager.

Maybe you need synthetic testosterone because your test levels are low.

Unless you're a female, in which case maybe you're just weak.

Ha! Just kidding. You should talk to a doctor after evaluating your diet!

Specializes in Medical Surgical.

You might have a vitamin deficiency.

Maybe you need synthetic testosterone because your test levels are low.

Unless you're a female, in which case maybe you're just weak.

Ha! Just kidding. You should talk to a doctor after evaluating your diet!

... When did I post that I have low test levels for testosterone?

Yep!!! I'm tired for various reasons -- sleep deprivation and medical reasons being the top picks. I was working three 12s on night shift, couldn't work my days in a row because I need more sleep. All I did on my days off was catch up on sleep, which didn't help my mood.

My answer - I switched to 8 hour shifts. I'm happier, more energetic at work. I didn't realize how poorly 12 hr shifts affected my performance at work and home. And how overtired I was at the end of the day and all the time. I need to exercise more, sometimes that helps with my energy level.

I'm thinking that I'll do the night shift 12 hours first, but if that really is affecting my life negatively and I'm depressed and tired all the time, I'll try to find 10s or 8 hrs somewhere... Hopefully, I'll get a job after graduating no matter what the hours are!

You might have a vitamin deficiency.

Thanks for your input. I'm not really looking for a diagnosis or medical input. I wanted to hear more from other nurses and how they deal with fatigue. Did you have to switch from 12s to 8s like another poster? Did you switch out of a very physically demanding department to another nursing-related field? Etc.

But thank you for your response.

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