overwhelmed

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

I find myself getting so far behind, its nearly impossible to get caught up. I will be driving down the road, a md office will call me on my cellphone. There I am...driving with one hand on steering wheel and the other with my phone, trying to scribble down an order on a notepad, to later realize I couldnt remember which doc or which patient the call was regarding. I have so many patients with PT/INR that all I do is draw blood and try to follow up on everyone that is out of range. I am finding that I am missing more and more things and honestly I dont feel like a very good nurse these days.

I get home late, do paperwork til bedtime, just to get up in the am and do it all over again. The money is awesome, but what good is it if I cant enjoy any of it or have any kind of life. The office is even trying to tap into my weekends with admits. Do any of you ever feel this way?

[caliotter3]

I sort of have the opposite problem. Some employers don't provide me with work at all. The only employer who currently has me working refuses to schedule me for more than 40 hours/week and refuses to pay overtime. I have gone months without work at all and did not work at all for two out of the last five years and probably have more "years" without work if I add up the remaining weeks and months I have gone without work. I really miss those days that I worked 108-121 hours a week for an employer that paid me overtime.

[rodeynurse]

I just resigned from my HH position. I was tired, I got paid for 40 worked 60 in the office plus carried the phone 24/7. I am scared and upset, but I picked to get rid of that stress. Good luck to you as you decide.

[ellakate]

chenoaspirit, trust your internal barometer. Don't let it go on too long, or you will become demoralized. After that it all rolls down hill. Plus, don't forget that driving is dangerous. You just can't afford to make a driving mistake. Take care of yourself. No one else will.

Hey, rodeynurse, the hardest part is over. You are away from that place. That scared and upset feeling is what keeps us from moving out of our comfort zone. But you have done that, and I would like to be the first to congratulate you!

I, too, just left a job in HH. It is like getting out of a bad marriage. From my perspective, I think that the anxiety is more indicative of past job abuse than your personal instability. Also, you are probably exhausted. I have slept almost constantly for two weeks. When I wake up, I have anxiety episodes. But they are decreasing. For a week, I was afraid to look at my cell phone, fearing 'they' would call.

Yesterday, my friend shared that she has these same feelings. She just left a creepy home health job.

The take home: Relax. You did nothing wrong. It is not your fault. Eat some comfort food. Air out your brain. When those random HH thoughts come into your head, just watch them float out, like a balloon.

OK. I'll do it , if you will.

[rodeynurse]

Thank you Centex, RN!

I too am experiencing the anxiety attacks. I don't want to get OOB, I don't eat. I have lost 14 pounds over the past couple of weeks! I know the feeling of dread over answering the phone. It is exactly like a ending a bad marriage.

I am trying to get past it one day at a time. I am spending time with my children, and trying to force to panic and anxiety out of my thoughts.

Good luck to you, we will get past this.

rodeynurse

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

Thanks guys for your responses. Right now I have a TERRIBLE stiff neck that ive had for 10 days. It isnt easing at all. I dont have time to go to the doctor because of my patient load. If I do go, then I'll have to move patients to another day and then get home even later. I cant take care of myself anymore. Ive gained so much weight. I finally told them I needed a few days off so Im off work on Dec 4, the weekend then Dec 5. Hopefully one of those days I'll be able to go to the doc. I can hardly get out of bed and can BARELY drive because of my neck/shoulder. Stress is making it worse. I may have to do what some of you have done and get away from homehealth to save myself.

[tewdles, RN]

Home health can be brutal. Too many home health employers work the life right out of RNs and then simply move on to the next nurse that needs/wants a job.

I recommend giving MDs the office number so that they call the office with new orders from the PT/INR or other lab. Let the nurse in the office take the orders and notify you. You must insist on the ability to safely convey yourself to the appointments. You SHOULD NOT be driving AND talking on the phone AND trying to write notes. This is dangerous for you and for everyone else on the road with you. In this line of work you are both a professional nurse AND a professional driver. Please remember to follow the rules to be safe as a driver just like you would to be safe as a nurse.

The documentation piece is a serious problem and is why I no longer work in CHC. I refuse to work in a setting where the time required to complete documentation is not paid for. I would guess that you are not getting paid for those hours every evening that you spend "documenting". IMHO that is not acceptable.

Be aware of these things...HALT...Hungry, Angry/Anxious, Lonely, Tired...these are the triggers for burnout in your practice setting.