Does the thought of going to your job make you sick?

Nurses Stress 101

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I have been struggling for awhile but I have never reached the point that I am at now...I am literally feeling sick to my stomach, having headaches and other physical symptoms because I am scheduled to go back to work tomorrow. I work PRN on a unit that is fairly new and specialized. I absolutely hate it - and that is not how I am. Though the unit is new, the hospital is not and the hospital has struggled w/its reputation in the community...I thought (and did not listen to others!) that because of some changes this would be a good place to work..wrong. The promises of FT work, how the unit would be run etc. have not materialzed since the unit changed last fall. PRN consists of a few days/month. We have been struggling because of this - I, along w/others, keep getting told once the census goes up FT will be available. The census is up, but nothing. The manager, though nice, is unresponsive and to be honest, seems to leave early a lot of time..The person who runs HR is a beast - to everyone so it's not personal but it's a stress nonetheless. We are not allowed to leave the unit during our shift - period. So if we don't bring something to eat - too bad. There is no microwave so hot meals are out. I think the manager is uncomfortable in her new role and w/the hospital overall as well (she has been there about 8-9 months). I have been applying other places and am not in a position to just not work but the closer my next shift gets the more stressed/anxious and physically ill I am getting. I've not been thrilled w/other jobs in the past, but that is part of nursing sometimes...but this place is different for me. I just wondered if anyone else had ever had such a strong reaction to a job...to the point you really aren't sure you can even make yourself go to work.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Several years ago I worked on the short-term rehab unit of a SNF. I began experiencing physical symptoms when thinking about the job: diarrhea, nervousness, palpitations, perspiration, extreme anxiety, and an overall feeling of doom.

I worked at this place for a total of 2 years, and spent my last 8 months on this unit. I was involuntarily moved to this unit by a manager who disliked me. Although I tried to hang in there, my physical symptoms only stopped when I abruptly quit this job.

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I ended up resigning yesterday. It was best for me and for them as I was not going to work as I should (calling out) - which I know many on here would zing me for - in my defense I have never been one to call out or hate a job like this one. I think it was the upper management coupled w/the type of unit - just absolutely not for me. I lasted 60 days. I did offer to work the 2 wk notice but they said they would accept my resignation and I would not have to work the last 2 wks. I work PRN at an agency and just plan to do that for awhile and let things be. I admite you for hanging in like you did where you were - I could not imagine staying where I was for that length of time. In my years of being a nurse I have never had a "reaction" to a place like I did this one.

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Specializes in Rehab.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who feels that way> I envy people who love their jobs, can't wait to go, and want to stay late. Most days it takes every bit of me to either not call in, or to even pull into the parking lot. I've only been a nurse for almost 9 months, but I do know this is not new grad angst, especially when talking to other nurses. Hope you find a place that you love!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I've had good jobs, bad jobs, fairly decent jobs, and horrible jobs........and what I've learned is, life is too short to be miserable at work. So I have one rule: when the bad days consistently outnumber the good ones, it's time to quit. :)

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
I have been struggling for awhile but I have never reached the point that I am at now...I am literally feeling sick to my stomach, having headaches and other physical symptoms because I am scheduled to go back to work tomorrow. I work PRN on a unit that is fairly new and specialized. I absolutely hate it - and that is not how I am. Though the unit is new, the hospital is not and the hospital has struggled w/its reputation in the community...I thought (and did not listen to others!) that because of some changes this would be a good place to work..wrong. The promises of FT work, how the unit would be run etc. have not materialzed since the unit changed last fall. PRN consists of a few days/month. We have been struggling because of this - I, along w/others, keep getting told once the census goes up FT will be available. The census is up, but nothing. The manager, though nice, is unresponsive and to be honest, seems to leave early a lot of time..The person who runs HR is a beast - to everyone so it's not personal but it's a stress nonetheless. We are not allowed to leave the unit during our shift - period. So if we don't bring something to eat - too bad. There is no microwave so hot meals are out. I think the manager is uncomfortable in her new role and w/the hospital overall as well (she has been there about 8-9 months). I have been applying other places and am not in a position to just not work but the closer my next shift gets the more stressed/anxious and physically ill I am getting. I've not been thrilled w/other jobs in the past, but that is part of nursing sometimes...but this place is different for me. I just wondered if anyone else had ever had such a strong reaction to a job...to the point you really aren't sure you can even make yourself go to work.

BTDT... Time for a new job or career. Your health is not worth it. I went through years of chronic diarrhea and cramps b/c of work stress... I switched jobs and things got somewhat better, but still not good. I am looking to leave nursing.

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

Sounds like you made the right decision, Lucky...Better jobs are out there. Nursing is not an easy job, but we should at least have microwaves lol, geesh.

Sorry to hear that, Gooey. How many different jobs have you tried? Nursing is stressful, but it shouldn't be producing physical symptoms. Gooey, have you only worked in the hospital setting? Maybe something slower paced would be the trick....or even office work. You have the experience now to work in the more cushy jobs. Best of luck to you....

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

Or you could work for blue cross as the telephone nurse? things like that.....

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OMG every time i'm about to go to work i feel like having a panic attack. I am a new grad and I recently got hired at an assisted living facility. I've been with the company for a month now. I am a part time/on call so overall i've only worked for 7 days and within those 7 days, meds were thrown to my face and I've been hit twice by a resident. Sooooo... with that experienced I am COMPLETELY TERRIFIED to go to work. I've never been so stressed out ever in my entire life. I do believe that this job is negatively affecting my health. I am experiencing anxiety, palpitations, facial twitching and fear. I just hate this feeling I'm having. I spoke with my nursing director about giving my 2 weeks noticed but she told me to hang on for a couple more weeks. She said that other places/nursing job will be much more difficult. I don't know what to do. Since getting this job, I've questioned my nursing career. Is nursing really what I want to do?

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Specializes in medical.
I have been struggling for awhile but I have never reached the point that I am at now...I am literally feeling sick to my stomach, having headaches and other physical symptoms because I am scheduled to go back to work tomorrow. I work PRN on a unit that is fairly new and specialized. I absolutely hate it - and that is not how I am. Though the unit is new, the hospital is not and the hospital has struggled w/its reputation in the community...I thought (and did not listen to others!) that because of some changes this would be a good place to work..wrong. The promises of FT work, how the unit would be run etc. have not materialzed since the unit changed last fall. PRN consists of a few days/month. We have been struggling because of this - I, along w/others, keep getting told once the census goes up FT will be available. The census is up, but nothing. The manager, though nice, is unresponsive and to be honest, seems to leave early a lot of time..The person who runs HR is a beast - to everyone so it's not personal but it's a stress nonetheless. We are not allowed to leave the unit during our shift - period. So if we don't bring something to eat - too bad. There is no microwave so hot meals are out. I think the manager is uncomfortable in her new role and w/the hospital overall as well (she has been there about 8-9 months). I have been applying other places and am not in a position to just not work but the closer my next shift gets the more stressed/anxious and physically ill I am getting. I've not been thrilled w/other jobs in the past, but that is part of nursing sometimes...but this place is different for me.

I just quit my nursing job today and couldn't be happier. I've been an RN for 7 years now, working in a hospital- quit the job last year and found an outpatient oncology clinic. Though, the second job was a bit nicer- still high stress, lots of patients to deal with chemotherapy, scheduling them etc. I think, that conditions of the nursing nowadays are so bad, that I'm thinking of quiting nursing altogether. I don't have any debt, and my husband makes decent money, so I could afford to quit without any job lined up. If I knew about nursing conditions before my nursing school, I would never ever choose nursing in the first place. Now, I have to come up with some plan about finding a decent job, where I can actually take a real break , go to the restroom when I feel like etc. I feel bad for new nursing grads- they are so confused when faced with a brutal reality of nursing.

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Specializes in none.
I have been struggling for awhile but I have never reached the point that I am at now...I am literally feeling sick to my stomach, having headaches and other physical symptoms because I am scheduled to go back to work tomorrow. I work PRN on a unit that is fairly new and specialized. I absolutely hate it - and that is not how I am. Though the unit is new, the hospital is not and the hospital has struggled w/its reputation in the community...I thought (and did not listen to others!) that because of some changes this would be a good place to work..wrong. The promises of FT work, how the unit would be run etc. have not materialzed since the unit changed last fall. PRN consists of a few days/month. We have been struggling because of this - I, along w/others, keep getting told once the census goes up FT will be available. The census is up, but nothing. The manager, though nice, is unresponsive and to be honest, seems to leave early a lot of time..The person who runs HR is a beast - to everyone so it's not personal but it's a stress nonetheless. We are not allowed to leave the unit during our shift - period. So if we don't bring something to eat - too bad. There is no microwave so hot meals are out. I think the manager is uncomfortable in her new role and w/the hospital overall as well (she has been there about 8-9 months). I have been applying other places and am not in a position to just not work but the closer my next shift gets the more stressed/anxious and physically ill I am getting. I've not been thrilled w/other jobs in the past, but that is part of nursing sometimes...but this place is different for me. I just wondered if anyone else had ever had such a strong reaction to a job...to the point you really aren't sure you can even make yourself go to work.[/QUOT

Try to get another job and leave. Life is too short to deal with what you are dealing with.

In this world you can not live on promises. They will never give you full time. Full time will cost them money. Don't listen to 'when the census is up' because the census will be up and you still be part time. Time to move on.

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I totally agree with you @neatnurse30 I am a new lvn grad and just got hired at an assisted living. I thought school was hard but man, once you're on your own as a nurse it is like HELL!!! I am very shocked that this is how nursing is. It is brutal! I've never felt this scared, anxious, and helpless.

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