New nurse working and AHHHHHH!!! Nuts!

GM2RN · Jun 16, 2010

While no one can guarantee that you will get used to it, it is typical to feel the way you do with the expectation that things will get better with time. You should soon find that your time management is better as you become more familiar with where everything is and the flow of your particular unit, and as you learn to prioritize your patients needs. These are the things that you can't really learn to any great degree while in school, but have a great impact on the way you are feeling now. Give yourself at least a year to feel truly comfortable in your new position.

CNL2B · Jun 16, 2010

Yep. Normal.

You'll get there. It takes time to get used to any job, and nursing, on a really busy unit, is harder than most jobs out there. Give yourself a little time and try to take care of yourself on your days off.

Love all your little smileys in your post! The zombie one is a hoot!

feisty · Jun 16, 2010

It will get better if your schedule is consistently days and evenings. As a previous poster stated, you will get better at time management and prioritizing which will help as well. One last thing, the mental stress you are experiencing will add to the exhaustion. I work 12 hours shifts, all nights, for 6-7 nights and find that it take me longer to recover from my rotation when the acuity of my patients is higher. When I first started as a new nurse I was always exhausted and mentally unavailable for my family on most of my days off. It was an accomplishment for me to pull a meal together and balance the checkbook on my days off :)

Nursing is very demanding and not the easiest profession, but it does get easier. Hang in there and treat yourself to some pampering on you days off. Do things that help to take your mind off of work, laugh alot, and eat healthy.

RNperdiem, RN · Jun 16, 2010

Compare this with getting into shape with exercise.

It is going to be difficult at first- difficult, maddening, sometimes joyful.

Keep it up, and you will gain the stamina needed to survive.

lesrn2005 · Jun 16, 2010

Good morning. I can barely type this as I am SO TIRED, but you all always give me support and encouragement. :)
I started working recently (and I am a fairly new grad). on a SUPER BUSY unit. I love my job, BUT BOY IS IT EXHAUSTING!!! AAAHHHH! :angthts: I am in orientation now and will be for several weeks. I am working all different types of hours and shifts. I sometimes go for 5 days straight.. 12's, 8's, overnites, etc. Eventually I will be mostly days and some evenings. THANK GOODNESS. On night shift I get sick to my stomach and feel yucky all the next day.
Please tell me I will adjust to the rigors of nursing. I love what I do. I love it, but I am so whipped that I feel I can hardly make it. Will I get used to this?? At night when I am home, I feel like a total zombie. :dzed: I have never worked on my feet for 8 plus hours at a time and for several days straight.... AAAHHHH!
:igtsyt: HELP!!!!

Now is the time to make sure you are exercising at least for 30 minutes in the gym. I know this sounds crazy, but it will help. Get your heart rate up and break a sweat. This will relieve some of the stress and tiredness you're feeling. Also, straighten up your diet. Cut the sugar, and I believe these changes will help after a few weeks. Drink lots of water. Good luck!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2010

I agree you'll get used to it and will do better and feel better as time goes on

However, you must also do things to decompress and take care of yourself. Even though you are tired to your bones you should make time for a good exercise program and relaxation through outside activities like hobbies.

Too many people think they are so exhausted all they can do is wolf down junk food and sit in front of the TV. Life is too short for that. While I don't do much on 12-hour shifts, I do take advantage of my days off. When I worked 5 8-hour shifts in a row, I went straight to the gym after work before going home (not every day but at least or 4 days).

I've been in nursing for 18 years and there still are days when I work nonstop and am on my feet, other than a lunch break, for the entire 12 plus hours. That still hasn't changed in all these years.

Good luck!

Lucky0220 · Jun 16, 2010

Boy I certainly feel bad for you! I am fairly new also, but when I was in orientation I did not have to work 5 days in a row and alternate between 8 and 12 hour shifts. Is this mandatory for you?? If it is, then that seems to be pretty unsafe, especially when it has to be impossible for you to get enough sleep as each day progresses.

You will get used to the routine, but I limit myself to no more than 3 shifts in a row, and usually I only do 2 in a row. Getting enough sleep, eating right, and finding ways to decompress are very important.

I hope you do not have to work those hours for your entire orientation. Good Luck! :redbeathe

Epona · Jun 18, 2010

Thanks everyone! Yes. My Mom said it was like riding a horse (which I used to do). She said you will be VERY TIRED the first few times you ride, but eventually the body adjusts. I hope so. I am amazed I have made it this far. I almost died a few years back from a very bad illness which weakened me (I was in the hospital on life support for almost a week), and I have a minor heart condition as well. I made it through RN school and was a top student. I just keep on and keep on. I do it!! :up: I pray I will continue to get stronger and prevail as a new RN! :nurse: :w00t:

THANKS EVERYBODY!! :clown: :hug:

TickyRN · Jun 18, 2010

yea your mom is right you'll get used to it. I have a friend that works rotating shifts also. it was killing the first 6months but she is used to it now. i frankly dont think i could do it.