While visiting in the lounge one day, we discovered that every nurse there was on an anti-depressant.
I have had 'Treatment Resistant Depression' for about 20 years--as long as I've been a nurse. Now I am totally burned out, on major meds, and am seeking disability d/t depression/anxiety.
I beleive years of long hours, high stress, high expectations and little appreciation (from management, not patients) has contributed to this.
How many other jobs consider you a tratior b/c you call in sick? And trying to get off for a sick child is an unforgivable sin. How many other jobs want you to work overtime on the days you are scheduled, call you at all hours of the night or day when you are off, first pleading w/ you to come in, then laying a guilt trip on you if you say "NO!" And let's not forget the mandatory inservices and CEU's that take time away from your family.
If any profession should understand the importance of the individuals' physical, mental, social and spiritual self it should be nursing--after all we are taught in nursing school about treating the patient as a whole, not just a disease! Why don't we treat our staff the same way.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Boy, do I feel for you, sphinx! I know what you mean about all the paperwork---I'm a LTC nurse/care manager and ALL of mine has to be done by hand (my facility is still stuck in the Stone Age, no computers yet for us middle-management types). I hate to whine, but I too am suffering from major burnout and even my daily Paxil isn't enough to stop what's becoming a rapidly downhill course. I take an occasional Ativan to get a really good night's sleep, but I'm afraid to use it as often as I really need it, and anyway, there's something wrong with "needing" benzo's to cope with work!! Thanks to all on this thread for putting up with my b****ing, too.
Until very recently I never let anyone at work know about my hx of depression, but I have been off work for eight weeks and when people ask I have let them know (that my meds were changed and it was disastrous for a while there). I am planning to put in my notice with my current employer and I just wanted to see how people would react. Everyone has been cool about it! I think a few people weren't quite sure what to say/were a little uncomfortable (one nurse said "I would never have known!"). So, I hope they think carefully about the fact that they have worked with someone who is capable and hardworking, and has also been disabled by mental illness at times.
oh, sphinx! Your story sounds vaguely familiar! :)
KarafromPhilly, let us know if they continue to be OK with it.
mjlrn97, if this place is doing this to you and you're still in your probation period? Let us know how you talk goes with your boss. Get assertive! I read somewhere today "learn to ask for what you need."
And, micro, I think we're going to keep this thread alive from now on! :)
Taking back our power might help. May I suggest a solution.
I think we can corrent all of the major problems in nursing by simply having all of us take the same day off. Let's say February 11th, 2003, all nurses on duty go home and no, I repeat no nurse comes into work that day. This would include all LPNS, RNs, ADNs, BSNs, MSNs, and RN/Phds. Exactly 24 hours later we return to work and see have some meaningful discussion with the powers in charge.
One major problem with that. All the nurses who are on duty at the time of the walk-out would have to stay for 24-hours until someone showed up to relieve them. It is patient abandonment to leave before you turn the care of your patients over to another. No If, ands, or buts about it. And since admin still had staffing, they wouldn't care and would have no incentive to talk or change a thing.
You missed something!! There would be NO nursing care for 24. How else would we make our point. Even the Yahoos in the ivory towers of administration would have to participate.
Hey, Dave! Yes, I understood the idea. I think it's a great idea. I wish it could be organized. I really do. But, the nurses on duty could not walk off. At 10:00 a.m., let's suppose, the walk-out was to begin, I couldn't leave because to do so is abandonment. There would be no one to relieve me, because they would all be out on protest, so I'd have to stay. Nursing care would continue, because to leave without a relief showing up would be abandonment, which is a huge no-no in nursing.
HELP! I NEED SOM HELP FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO RESEARCH AN UNCOMMON TOPIC ON THE PROFESSIONAL (NOT LAY-PERSON) LEVEL
My previous psych doc gave me Adderel for severe
Treatment Resistant Depression. Now I've moved and my new psych doc will not prescribe it unless I can come up with documentation for use of Adderel in adults.
HELP! I NEED SOM HELP FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO RESEARCH AN UNCOMMON TOPIC ON THE PROFESSIONAL (NOT LAY-PERSON) LEVEL
My previous psych doc gave me Adderel for severe
Treatment Resistant Depression. Now I've moved and my new psych doc will not prescribe it unless I can come up with documentation for use of Adderel in adults.
You probably won't believe this, but I've been thinking about you, and worrying. I know how down you've been feeling. So, I was worried. As for research? I love research! Give me a few hours and I'll see what I can find!
Let me know if you need more. This took me less than 30-minutes to find, so I know there's more out there. I found lots of anecdotal evidence. No where did I find anything showing FDA approval for Ritalin or Adderall for the treatment of depression. But, I did find several articles where the use of Ritalin/Adderall for the treatment of depression preceeded recent medication advancements with the SSRI groups. I found a couple of anecdotal articles where Adderall worked well for a couple of months for treatment resistant depression, but then exacerbated a psychotic episode. I found another couple of anecdotal evidence that warned against taking Adderall/Ritalin for depression. Mixed group of information. But, I know from my own experience in nursing, that prescribing Ritalin for depression is not uncommon, and was used extensively in the 80s and 90s.
If this doesn't do it for you, I'll get into some more of the professional journals. Good luck!
VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN
22 Articles; 9,996 Posts
Boy, do I feel for you, sphinx! I know what you mean about all the paperwork---I'm a LTC nurse/care manager and ALL of mine has to be done by hand (my facility is still stuck in the Stone Age, no computers yet for us middle-management types). I hate to whine, but I too am suffering from major burnout and even my daily Paxil isn't enough to stop what's becoming a rapidly downhill course. I take an occasional Ativan to get a really good night's sleep, but I'm afraid to use it as often as I really need it, and anyway, there's something wrong with "needing" benzo's to cope with work!! Thanks to all on this thread for putting up with my b****ing, too.