Non bedside nursing.

[Nursinggirl747]

I have been a RN at a long term care facility for 2.5 years. It is the only nursing experience I have except clinicals I did in college. I have so much anxiety before work it's hard to even eat. The physical and mental stress is high, even after 4 months off I still feel burn out. I also wonder if my high copper level contributes to my stress, depression, and anxiety. Currently no doctor is addressing.  I was a cashier at goodwill before that. I work 12.5 hour night shifts. My immune system seems to be terrible.  I had pneumonia twice last year and cought covid this year was off for 4 months with tremors from covid. I have been actively applying to jobs since beginning my career in LTC. I would like to get out of long term care and find a non bedside nursing job. I've had interviews that I thought went well but was not hired latest one for home health. I seem to be stuck where I  am at and I don't know why. Can I have some ideas on non bedside nursing jobs. My residents love me amd so do the STNA's but I'm tired. I've even considered leaving nursing but I can't.  I also can not relocate because my family needs me nearby.  

[Davey Do]

With your 2 1/2 years of LTC experience, geriatric psych could be a good fit, Nursinggirl.

There's enough basic medical bedside that probably wouldn't burn you out, keeps some skill/knowledge from atrophying, and I found the most rewarding of working with all the psych populations. 

I predominantly worked geriatric psych for 17 years.

[vintagegal, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

While working in any job, keep your eyes open for opportunities. I was a DON at LTC for a little over two years and got very burnt out. Because of the outstanding reputation I had inside and outside of the LTC as well as the contacts I made whilst working made it easy for me to transfer seamlessly into another area of nursing. I had my next position lined up before I left the original position. It’s not worth the stress or the physical harm it is doing to your body! Please know it is OK for you to do some self care and seek better employment  

[Emergent, RN]

Step one for you is to improve your health. That includes being on a balanced diet, giving up all junk food, abstaining from soda pop, and eating lots of vegetables. Alcohol should be in moderation, indulgence in health destroying foods should be only occasional. 

Many Americans have thyroid problems because of chlorine and fluoride in the water. Make sure you are drinking only filtered water, and supplementing with iodine drops and selenium.

Make sure you are getting some physical activity everyday. I don't think you have to get on a vigorous exercise program, but walking and doing physical work around the house is very beneficial.

It sounds like working night shift is not good for you. Some people tolerate it fine, but it messes with many people's circadian rhythms and sleep patterns. That has probably had a lot to do with your susceptibility to these illnesses. Getting plentiful sleep is one of the pillars of good health.

It goes without saying that you should not smoke. But, you need to be counterculture to many aspects of the American lifestyle in order to be healthy.