Nursing will decrease my life expectancy... how do you keep going?

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2013

How do I keep myself going ? These annoying things called "Bills", I just can't get them to go away.

No, but I would like to know myself. Been a nurse for four years and I'm 24, so I have no plans of retiring soon.

RNperdiem, RN · Jul 17, 2013

My survival strategy is to work part time in a place where the nurses are happy and the patients are well cared for.

Blindsided · Jul 17, 2013

And where might such a place as this exist??? I never found it in 30 years

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2013

How do you make yourself go to work everyday? How do you not quit? HOW DO YOU KEEP GOING?!

I maintain a disturbingly high level of emotional detachment at work and on my days off. I know this sounds coldblooded, but I provide care for my patients without emotionally attaching to them. However, I am very nice to patients and visitors and many comment that they like my attitude.

The less emotional investment I have in the job and patients, the easier it is for me to avoid stress and mental fatigue. I try to avoid thinking about patients, families and coworkers on my days off.

I also try to take care of myself on my time off. After work I visit a local gym to get some cardio exercise. In fact, I get some form of exercise five to seven days out of every week. I also watch what I eat and try to make healthy food choices.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jul 18, 2013

Similar to what Commuter said; for me, my focus is in what I can do in that time period, and leave, pass it in to the next shift. Nothing will ever be completely done on one shift; setting oneself up to think like that is destined to crash and burn. I've been a nurse for 8 years, 7 LPN. Even with the broadening of my scope, I still approach it the same way.

I also attribute the ability in centering myself by eating well and exercise as well...I have used yoga as a stress reliever, as well as meditation. I even have an app on my iPhone to help remind myself to "check in." Glad to use it during my redux-transition as a "new nurse" all over again...and it's working. :yes:

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Jul 18, 2013

I try to leave the stress at work. I'll get a little vent in and then I move on.. Some of my closest friends are my coworkers so we all vent to each other and understand. I suggest exercise to help relieve stress as well, even just taking a long walk helps.

skittlebear · Jul 18, 2013

I was employed at a facility that was highly stressful. I gained weight and sometimes I would cry after work. I always dreaded going. After 5 years I resigned and took a tremendous pay cut at the facility where I'm at now. I didn't realize how truly stressed I was until I left. Every now and then I will run into one of my previous coworkers and they will tell me how different I look. That I actually look happy. Oh, and I have lost 40lbs!

Although my current job has its own stressors its nowhere near as bad as what I've left behind. I do work OT to make up for the loss in pay, but it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. At least now I can leave work at work.

Biffbradford · Jul 18, 2013

Only 15 years here, but when you punch out then you leave work behind you. Immediately do something you enjoy to put one degree of separation between work and your sub-conscious. That might be shop, walk around the block, go fishing. It helps.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Aug 6, 2013

Lacey -- You're in the wrong spot or overdoing at work.

Ponder your situation. You shouldn't be feeling like that all the time.

Good luck!

Let us know how things go.

amzyRN · Aug 8, 2013

I wouldn't keep going like that. Stress is bad, it raises cortisol levels which raise cholesterol and cause insulin resistance, plus stress raises blood pressure. Some people thrive on stress, but I've known type a personalities that have died in their 40s because they were workaholics. I don't want to do that. My job is stressful and I feel stressed some of the time but most of the time I feel good and my patients make me happy. I feel like I'm making a difference in someone's life and it's great. It sounds like a warning sign that you need to change something. Take care of yourself.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2013

I feel the same too- wish I could find another job- none available that I qualify for.

I look at it this way, if I croak from the stress, then I wont have to worry about it anymore

who knew nursing was a death sentence :eek:

Ahh, as the saying goes, if I only knew then what I know now........

maybe you will be lucky and find something better and less stressful..good luck