Chronic lack of energy! New nurse problems.

Nurses Stress 101

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Hey everyone. I'm a new nurse, going on 5 months now. I got my dream job in a NICU and I am happy to be in the unit I am in, but I am constantly battling my energy levels (or lack thereof). My #1 stress reliever before becoming a nurse was exercising but now, on my days off, I am just TOO tired to do anything. When I do go to gym, I have to force myself and the entire workout is just a battle. I hear my co workers talking about their exercising habits and how some of them even run after a shift and that's just mindboggling to me!

I will admit that I do not get much sleep before a shift, often because of nerves, or sometimes I just don't get to bed until a late time. My average is about 4.5-5 hours of sleep before a shift. I am trying to work on that, thinking that may help, but even when I sleep 8+ hours after a shift, I am still wiped out the next day.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else experienced this problem and how you coped with it. I'm desperate. I've been off for 2 days and I am STILL exhausted.

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yes & Iam sorry to say I discovered I had SLE & RA !!!!! Fatigue is a symptom that we blow off but shouldn't. If anyone experiences continuos fatigue, get yourself checked out. I ignored it & am disabled now !!!!!

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Ladyjedimaster,I have actually been tested for SLE and for thyroid issues as well. All my tests were negative.

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Hey everyone. I'm a new nurse, going on 5 months now. I got my dream job in a NICU and I am happy to be in the unit I am in, but I am constantly battling my energy levels (or lack thereof). My #1 stress reliever before becoming a nurse was exercising but now, on my days off, I am just TOO tired to do anything. When I do go to gym, I have to force myself and the entire workout is just a battle. I hear my co workers talking about their exercising habits and how some of them even run after a shift and that's just mindboggling to me!

I will admit that I do not get much sleep before a shift, often because of nerves, or sometimes I just don't get to bed until a late time. My average is about 4.5-5 hours of sleep before a shift. I am trying to work on that, thinking that may help, but even when I sleep 8+ hours after a shift, I am still wiped out the next day.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else experienced this problem and how you coped with it. I'm desperate. I've been off for 2 days and I am STILL exhausted.

Still keep it in mind. I was tested for everything possible & wasn't diagnosed for a year. TO ALL NURSES !!!!! DO NOT IGNORE SEVERE FATIGUE !!!! VERY INSIDIOUS SYMPTOM !!!!!
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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Sometimes fatigue can be a subtle sign of depression. I'm sure being a new nurse in a specialty unit is very stressful, and you may be experiencing some emotional fallout from having to learn so many things so quickly and driving yourself at an inhuman pace to absorb and use all of the information. You are, after all, working with critically ill newborns....the responsibility must be overwhelming at times.

If I were you, I'd do a "gut check" and find out if you're simply asking too much of yourself. I'm not saying you need to change jobs, only that you have to learn to manage the stress of this one so that you don't burn out. And of course, try to eat as healthfully as possible, because eating crap makes you feel like crap, and that's the last thing you need right now. Good luck to you!

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Although you lack energy and motivation to work out, it's probably the best thing you can do for yourself. Nursing requires a huge adjustment period, I have complete faith this will pass. Keep ur chin up, go to the gym and be nice to yourself :)

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