i have been in nursing for 18 years. all in critical care or emergency dept. i feel like every ounce of compassion and strength i have has been sapped. every day it seems there is more and more the hospital wants from me. no real break time. calls are forwarded to the break room during my lunch. patients becoming more cruel and demanding. the other day one of my patients felt i needed to be at the bedside all the time. at visiting time i was sitting at a desk outside my pts rooms charting on paper and the computer portion. i talked to the family outside of the pt room updated asked if they had any questions said i would be here if any came up. they talked to the pt. then i am suppose to be cruel and careless for not being with her all the time and just not just "sitting there". i try to be actively doing something (not sitting) when visitors come in but sometimes i have to sit to get charting done to be able to transfer someone out of the unit. my manager told me i need to spend more time helping others. i am trying to get my work done....not eating bon bons.... any one else having these troubles? what has worked to re-energize you in nursing? i have been tired and bummed before this is much different.