How many times can I get sick in one year????

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Jan 24, 2007

Hi Everyone!
It seems that nurses are incredibly healthy, and when they do get sick they suck it up and muddle through....but honestly, this past year (my first year of nursing school) I have been sick with every stomach virus, flu, brochitis, you name it! I'm super healthy....I even had a doc I befriended check me out and he ran tons of labs, and I'm just lucky and get sick alot. I don't mind working sick...but that's not good for patients and honestly, not good for my co-workers....did any of you have the nightmarish constantly sick all the time like I do? In all truth, I have been VERY sick about 10 times this past year! LOL!
I'm not complaining...I actually think it's kind of funny, but it just blows my mind! I work Oncology as a CNA part time, and most patients there are pretty healthy as far as viruses goes....but what do you think?

I was sick a lot my 1st 6 months of nursing, but now, I can honestly say I don't remember the last time I've been sick. Where I work, the policy has changed and for full-time staff we can only call in sick 4 times in a year. Here's hoping my kids don't get sick! :stone

SK-222 · Jan 24, 2007

I think all the passive exposure I've had from ill patient's has helped me build up quite an incredible immunity - plus I wash my hands frequently.

I have a friend who decided to start a career as an airline attendant and she says the first 6 months to a year on the job as a stewardess, she had never been so ill so many times in her life as compared to that first year. It seems now, her immune system is fighting back and she seldom gets sick despite being couped up in an airplane all the time.

puresass · Jan 24, 2007

maybe it's all the stress you've been under since it's your first year of nursing school? the lack of sleep, the not-always-as-great-as-they-should-be eating habits, the stress of studying for tests, etc.

when i feel sickness coming on my FAVORITE thing is emergen-C, tea & lemon, & airborne.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jan 24, 2007

I think it is the combo of stress, the abuse on your body that nsg school takes, and being exposed to new germs. Every time I have changed jobs I've spent a the first few months sick, then I'm magically fine. I found the same thing is happening with my son in preschool. All sorts of new pathogens have found their way to him and he's catching them all. Next year he'll probably be fine.

oramar · Jan 24, 2007

Someone I know who also was a person that had maybe one cold every two years is going through same thing. Interestingly this person has started in a non-nursing job in a hospital same time the multiple viral infections, pneumonia, broncitis, started. Just got me wondering if there is something to the idea that a lot of infectious things other than the usual things we think of are hanging around hospitals.

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 24, 2007

I feel your pain. I am normally sooo healthy but since having my gallbladder out in November, have caught EVERY stinkin bug there is. I guess I stressed out my immune system a wee bit too much. I am so sorry you have been feeling so poorly. I hope you are better soon and stop getting sick so often. Take care, lots of fluids, vitamins, rest and exercise!!!!!!

ILWannabeRN · Jan 25, 2007

Thanks for all your support guys! It's nice to hear that I am not the only one! I knew if I posted here you guys would tell me if I was just sickly! LOL!

But really, I think you're probably right about the nursing school stress, and also being in a new environment. Here's to hoping with spring just around the corner that I'll get better every day! And honestly, what better place to work/go to school, than in a hospital when you're sick! LOL! Everyone is really nice and letting me traipse around with my tea and kleenex! The patients have even been giving me their advice! Now that's bad! LOL!

I was feeling sneezy today again, but a patient evidently called just after she was released to say how wonderful I was....and that made my day! For days like this, I'll go to work sick everyday!

Hugs!

Claire

wildmountainchild · Jan 25, 2007

It's the stress! I was sick four or five seperate times over my first semester in nursing school. We actually had to do a project on how stress affects the immune system...all the cortisone released sets off a cascade of reactions that increases likelihood of infection and decreases ability to heal. Chronic stress can kill you!

Take this as your body's way of telling you to take some "you" time. Do things for yourself to reduce stress, exercise, yoga, etc.

BeeStrong · Jan 25, 2007

Working in Oncology as I did for over 20 years exposes you to every virus and bacteria known to man and then some that aren't even known yet!! These are some of the sickest patients in the hospital, their immune systems are vulnerable to everything under the sun and they come in with MRSA, pseudomonas, herpes, hepatitis and AIDS; I don't understand why you think its one of the safer places in the hospital?? You better be VERY healthy and VERY strong to work there. Best of luck to you in your career, Bee Strong

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2007

I do feel for you. Nsg school is stressful and when you start clinicals, you get exposed to lots of bugs you might not normally get exposure to so your immune system gets a little overwhelmed.

My first six months of nursing, I was always sick with something and did have take sick days. Sometimes it's just not possible or wise to suck it up and go to work. You do the best you can.

ILWannabeRN · Jan 25, 2007

Thanks BeeStrong for your advice....I know that Oncology patients are the sickest in the hospital....it just seems lately that we have been very lucky and very few of our patients had viruses or bugs. Of course I know what I am up against, but Oncology was my first choice above all others. Last summer we had a stretch where EVERY patient admitted to our floor was sick with a cold, flu, pneumonia, you name it! Now we seem to have settled down, and so that's why I was amazed I was STILL getting so sick!

So thanks for the advice...believe me, I know what I"m getting into and wouldn't have it any other way!

Hubby and I are planning on doing NOTHING this weekend, and just relaxing, watching TV, ordering in some yummy stuffed Chicago style pizza, and most of all SLEEPING LATE! Hopefully that'll give me a boost! I'm also gonna try Airborne and see if that helps at all next time I head into work!

Thanks again all!

Hugs!

Claire