new grad, new job, and I'm exhausted

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I just finished my first month as a new grad and I have to say I am absolutely exhausted. I love my new job. I feel so lucky to have it and I knew it was going to be a lot of hard work, which is great. But my feet are absolutely killing me and my legs ache. Is this normal? I am trying to get back into shape. I run about 10-12miles a week but I find that after the 12 hour shifts my feet and legs are so sore it keeps me up at night. Is this par for the course as a new grad getting use to the long hours on your feet and if so when does this go away?

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Specializes in Adult Acute Care Medicine.

A few thoughts...

What kind of shoes do you wear?

I have been a nurse for 4 years...I have had body aches after a 5 day stretch..but never foot pain. I wear dansko, but there are lots of other good brands.

Is the soreness from running or working? If running is new for you, perhaps you should simply walk 12 miles per week until you "settle into" your new position as a nurse.

Also, remember to use "proper body mechanics" when working and MOST importantly -- take breaks! No matter how busy you are...make sure to get some nutrition and some time away from pt care. I think that mental fatigue leads to physical fatige. 12 hr shifts are HARD. Hang in there and welcome to nursing!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Yes. It's normal -- and the general exhaustion usually improves with time. You're under a lot of stress now, adapting to a new lifestyle, new job, etc. and that takes it toll on a person even when things are going OK.

Take care of yourself. Get PLENTY of rest, eat healthy, etc. You might want to experiment with shoes to find the best ones for you. Support stockings may also help. That's why almost all nurses wore them back in the olden days when we wore dresses to work: they actually help most people.

Hang in there!

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I am 8 months into my nursing career and have fibromyalgia. I was concerned about working 12 hour shifts, and yes I do get fatigued, but my legs and feet don't hurt like they used to since I started wearing Dansko shoes. I'm sure there are others out there as good. I just know these work very well for me.

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I started having foot pain after 2 months. It turned out to be plantar fasciitis, which is very common among nurses. I got physical therapy and better shoes and it is better, though not gone.

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Here is some advice. Be sure you do calf stretchs and quad stretches during the day. You will be surprised how tight they get, and this tightness will lead to fatigue and shortening of tendons and muscles = pain and possible injury later on.

1. walk up close to a wall wearing shoes, place the ball of your foot flat up against the wall keeping your heel planted on the floor. gently lean in feel the stretch (adjust foot). be careful not to pull too far.

2. stand with table for support, and bend one knee behind you, guiding that leg by holding the ankle. Focus on your hip in your mind's eye and gently drop that hip while you shift your quad muscles elongating them... practice. Do not focus on your knee as you are not to stretch your knee. You should feel a stretching from insertion point on pelvis all the way through the quad.

Hold both for 10 seconds.

I do this and it does wonders.

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I highly suggest you get support hose/support stockings like jobst, or cherokee if you aren't using any already. I find they help with circulation, they do help to prevent vericous veins (they run in my family) and my legs ache much less by the end of the shift. Also, dr. Sholes help with my feet, and I wear nike-type walking shoes.

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Specializes in Critical Care. CVICU. Adult and Peds PACU..

Definitely get support hose!! You can get them at most scrub stores.

When I first started, my legs KILLED me, but after I got some knee high support hose, my legs instantly felt better.

Also, if you can afford them, Danskos are lifesavers. :)

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hang in there! I know how you feel. Look for the right shoes. I

love Birkies and Crocs and keen shoes. They give my arch the right

amount of support and have a wide base for my wide feet.

Some people swear by Dansko's so they might be something

to try out. I roll my ankles alot so need to be closer to the ground.

Elevate you dogs on your break.

Also regarding the exhaustion. I still get this. The stress

can be terrible. Make sure you get 8hrs sleep and no matter

what continue to exercise. Its hard to restart once you stop

and new nurses are notorious for gaining weight. Being over

weight will stress you out more.

I also found that I got sick very often my first year.

I caught every little cold or virus that came through the

unit via patients or healthcare workers. Take extra

precautions with handwashing and touching foreign

surfaces. I also take "emergency" fizzy drink stuff.

It has lots of B vitamins which give me a healthy energy

boost with Vitamin c. no caffeine.......

Be well.

prosper.

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