In need of a pep talk

Nurses Stress 101

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Lately I've been so exhausted and am having difficulty sleeping at night. Today was a busy and horrible day at work. Yesterday was worse... I had two new admits, apart from having to pass meds, doing treatments, answering phone calls, taking new orders, and being called away from the NS several times to check on Residents, oh and charting...I managed to get all my work done an hour and a half after my scheduled shift ended. So today I went back to work and went through the same things except I had only one readmit to take care of, and I had to listen to the other nurse complain about how this and that was not done right, and that I forgot to do this and that. ugh. I just need a pep talk. How do you all manage to get any sleep at night? I work days, 12 hr shifts. I've been working every other day just about. I made myself a cheat sheet, where I keep track of things I need to get done for admits and re-admits. Or taking orders, what forms need to be filled out. I kept getting called away, and ppl kept interrupting me that I guess I just forgot to fill insulin units. I got the meds and the insulin written down in the MARS, I just didn't written the units of insulin. If the evening nurse who changed shifts with me would have looked at the MAR she would have caught it and all she had to do was look at his discharge summary to find out the units needed, but I guess she didn't do it last night. Or at least it wasn't sign off. So it's my fault. I'm ready to call it a quits. If it wasn't for financial reasons, me being the only one working and supporting us, I would look for something different. How do you keep work and family life separate? When I go home I'm so stressed that I have a tough time sleeping and when I do sleep, I dream about being at work...

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Specializes in EMT-P.

By your wording, I am assuming you are not single, rather have a partner. Why is the partner not contributing to the cause? I would think this situation is a catalyst for much of your anxiety, and you two should have a talk. If I am off base then I am sorry for making an incorrect assumption.

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He's recently become unemployed, and has been looking for employment but nothing yet. So he's decided to go back to school.

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go out with friends and do something fun and forget about your work. you need a life outside of work and forget about your work. insulin thing really is not a big deal, patient didnt have any insulin reaction did he? you did the best you can and if your co-workers thinks they are perfect, oh okay lets wait and see. i told my boss that unless its emergency, dont call me at home about pity things. talk to somebody close to you and dont let work stress get to you.

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No, she didn't have any reaction, her BS was high today but when the MD was called he stated he would not give an order for S/S and that it's normal for her. It's just having to deal with listening to that nurse all day, and he saying oh it's a med error and she'll be reporting it tomorrow. Which doesn't matter to me, I told her I was the one who did the adm and I did the MARS. And my DON knew that I had stayed over to get my work done. I just don't think it was a big deal, the information was there, it's not like I completely left her insulin off the MAR. But yes, you're right...I do need friends, to at least hang out with and forget about work. :)

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Do you really enjoy the area of nursing that you're in? Maybe a different specialty would interest you more?

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Specializes in EMT-P.
He's recently become unemployed, and has been looking for employment but nothing yet. So he's decided to go back to school.

Yes economic times have caused many to find themselves without employment and schooling is often the answer to rejoining the ranks of the employed. Considering your level of stress I would suggest you do the following:

  • Express your stress and level of anxiety to your partner (Expect a hug at this time)
  • Reiterate the above, just so it is clear (Maybe another hug ) :)
  • Albeit a education can pay off in the long run, is it the best solution for the current situation? After all, school cost money and ensures more money going out than coming in. Will this work for you at this time or add more stress?

Perhaps having your spouse or partner go to school is a good plan, but maybe consider doing it part time and also find a lesser job to bring in some income as well.

I know this does not answer your pep me up post, but I suspect, your home life worries are affecting the way you feel on the job and are also the cause of your many sleepless nights. Your spouse/partner needs to step up and ease some of your burden, and yes I realize he/she just lost job, but ya get back on the proverbial workhorse.

I am sure that was not the pep talk you were looking for. Sorry...

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I think the above posts gave great advice, so I'm going to 2nd that.

I am sorry your having a tough time juggling your home and work life. You know your work load is causing stress and anxiety but your home life could be as well. You probably feel stuck since you are the sole income provider, and that doesn't help matters. It just causes more anxiety and stress.

I agree that you should evaluate your situation. Maybe your husband could go to school part-time but look for a full-time job to help with your income. This would help you tremendously, I am sure. After your husband finds a job, you could decrease your work hours and try to find another job in the meantime. Good luck!

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It will helps not to drink coffee,tea,cola after lunch.

Have vacation leave for 2 weeks every 6 months.

There is life outside hospital work.

Give yourself a treat once a week for dinner and watchmovies maybe every friday.

You can cook on your day off and put them to freezer.

Get a SPA

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I try to leave work and its problems at a church I pass on my way home. If I choose I can pick them back up on my way in the next time I work. Yeah sometimes that doesn't always work. I work swing so I know how sleep can be hard after working.

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That is the reason I will ONLY work night shift. Sorry you are having such a difficult time.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, , Home health, Education.

Maybe you could be direct with this nurse and let him/her know that you understand you left it off- thanks for pointing that out. Then tell them you have other tasks that you need to complete and it's hard to get them done and have a conversation with them at the same time. You'll get through this. When I worked nights I dreamed I was at work all the time. I still have those dreams occasionally and I don't even do patient care anymore. Let your hair down and go out with friends. Since hubby isn't working he can babysit- or clean. In fact he should be doing a lot of that since you are holding down the financial end of things.

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