All the hoopla and talk about how the presidency ages a person. I would like to know how the field of nursing ages a person. I feel like I'm 90. I have gray hair now at the age of 36 almost 37.
My back kills me from all the strain and pulling up patients by myself with no help whatsoever, standing long hours in surgery when I used to assist and leaning over retracting, and all the other back breaking tasks that we do. My knees and hips from the miles and miles and miles that I walk every night. THe intense stress and worry that never leaves your mind even after you go home for several days off. They long hours and no breaks, the terrible hours and the missing out on all the family activites, never having time for family or friends or hobbies.
The insurmountable stress that this profession brings on a person. My parents and grandparents were not gray haired until after 60. My grandma was a first grade school teacher in the 1930's and she didn't turn gray until she was in her 80s and she's still not all that gray really. Her health is just unbelievable!
i see nursing as requiring a higher level of personal maintenance and self care.
i protect my hands carefully with lotions and gloves on my days off.
i choose shoes carefully because i am aware that a foot injury from stylish but uncomfortable shoes is only made worse with a job that requires lots of standing.
i have learned some stress management techniques and am ready to look for another job if the workplace becomes unbearable.
i learned early on to say no to extra shifts.
i suspect the culprit isn't always nursing. i suspect nursing attracts a larger than average number of people who are willing to put their needs last.
excellent advice, especially your last two statements!
Working conditions and stress plays a significant impact in our longevity.
The Dept of Defense published an article this week highlighting the fact that active duty military retirees (Read that as long years of hardship tours-of-duty and family separation)
are expected to live 20 to 25% shorter lives than those retired from the active reserves. (More stable home life and working conditions).
I was forced to give up floor nursing because of the exhaustion. So I tried clinic nursing and I sit around 90% of the time, doing phone stuff like triage (for 6 months to geezerhood), med refills, calling in lab reports (“Hello, you have chlamydia.”), referrals and the rest. I like it, although I miss direct pt care. I work part time and per diem.
The nursing profession has a tremendous range of possibilities. Look around and try a few new types of nursing.
P.S. My 61st birthday is in 6 weeks. Eeeekkkkkkk!!!!!
mizfradd, CNA
295 Posts
excellent advice, especially your last two statements!