lfolou

^It's so true; I feel as thought "if I just work hard enough," this shouldn't be an issue. But I know I'm working as hard as humanly possible, and I'm doing well on the unit, it's just the issue of nights. I'm going to go in to talk with my residency director today, just to at least let her know what's going on. I'd rather safely work somewhere or some shift where my life isn't absolutely miserable and I'm in fear of each shift and the waves of syncope/migraines that come with. If nothing less and no provisions/possibilities are made, then at least I have alerted her of what's going on. I really appreciate your feedback.

That's about the only person I haven't spoken with, so that's actually super helpful! I didn't think of that! I'll look into seeing if I can find a sleep therapist. I have a neurologist currently, and I started seeing a chiropractor to see if I could at least relieve tension enough to decrease the migraine intensity- as well as massages scheduled. And I went in to my PCP- but nothing's helping. I really appreciate you saying it may be important to reach out to HR- I really think I just needed the affirmation that it's okay to go that route. I'm really dedicated to my career, and at this point, I would almost prefer to shift to another unit that I would never want to be on for a year just to be on days.

I have recently graduated this past June, and was offered an amazing position as a critical care float RN at a hospital. I am all about putting in my time and effort, and I'm not a complainer, but I'm scheduled to be a night shift nurse now for 2 years (minus the 3 months I've already completed), and it's actively killing me. I don't know what to do. I was diagnosed with a migraine disorder two years ago. I went in to a neurologist after I would suddenly get a migraine, and pass out. It started in the hectic schedules of nursing school, and worsened when I worked nights as a CNA last summer- I told myself it would be different when I was a nurse. The migraine disorder is basilar artery migraines/hemiplegia migraines, and I've been able to keep my migraines at a minimum since this last year. Fast forward, start my new job, the first few weeks of training I did day shifts and it was great. Yes, a new job was stressful, but I could handle it. No migraines noted. Then, nights started. I have blackout curtains/eye mask/keep a cool room, and nothing helps. Even when I get somewhat "adequate sleep" the day before on benadryl, I wake up in sweats, and my head is always pounding, days on and days off. My body also won't seem to flip back. I often feel like I'm about to pass out; thankfully, I've caught it in time. But each day feels as though it's ACTIVELY killing me. All aspects of my life have are vastly affected by it. I don't know what to do.

This may sound like a dumb question, but I am a new graduate resident in the emergency room. I have no problem finding veins and getting the catheter in, but for some reason, lately i CANNOT occlude the veins for the life of me and I have no idea why. When they're in the hand, or finger etc. I have no problem occluding the vein after I retract the needle. But I feel super dumb for not being able to figure out where exactly I should be occluding the vein to keep it from bleeding once I get flashback/retract the needle in the AC- HELP. What are the steps you take exactly to keep it from bleeding? (1. Insert 2. Retract needle and occlude vein 3. Remove tourniquet 4. Flush with NS)? Yes, sometimes I can keep it from bleeding, but I'm not consistent. How far above the hug should I be pressing down? How hard? Should I use all fingers? Am I just not pressing down hard enough? I'm open to all suggestions at this point, because this seems super strange to me... Love, a fellow nurse