Anyone Else Feel This Way?

Specialties School

Published

Hello fellow school nurses,

I've been a school nurse for almost 3 years now. I came right out of BSN school (could not find a job in a hospital). I also work PRN at a pedi home health company. I am 25 years old and have no children. My question is: Is anyone else completely drained after a work day? I never used to be such a tired person. During college I could pull an all nighter and study from 6pm to 2am, go to bed, and wake up for clinicals at 5:30am and be fine, and go out on the weekends with my nursing friends. In college I had a weekend job at a hotel where I worked outside constantly running around in the sun. I feel like back then I had so much more going on and I had so much more energy. Now, when I get home from work (I work elementary so I get home around 4:30) I am completely DRAINED. I am so tired that if I even try to sit down in a chair or lay down, I knock out within 10 minutes. And it feels like someone slipped a sleeping pill in my drink kinda-tired. I try avoiding sitting at all when I get home because of that. I get to work at 7:00am, so I wake up around 5:45am. I try my best to go to sleep by 10:30pm. Some people tell me it's because I sit down all day. I don't sit ALL day. But yes I am at my desk alot, documenting, calling parents, ect. I went to a doctor had all my labs drawn and I am completely healthy. No anemia, no thyroid issues. Everyone always rags on me at home because I always full asleep so early. But I am just so exhausted. I can't help it. My school is pretty demanding of me, but I feel every school nurse jumps through hoops daily at their campuses. I'm just wondering if anyone else experienced this when they got into school nursing?

side note** I am not in any way asking for medical advice, just if anyone else feels this way after work. Please do not delete my post, thanks!

Specializes in CEN, CFRN, PHRN, RCIS, EMT-P.

Guys I find that if I workout regularly I have more energy and my mood is better.

Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.

I feel the SAME WAY! I am 23 and work in a clinic. It is alot of sitting at my desk but I am DRAINED at the end of the day. I leave my house at 7:30 and typically get home around 6:30. I feel like crud and so tired when I get home. I feel silly because it's not like I work 12s or am constantly on my feet. I feel like a sissy, but I am glad to know others have the same thing going on!

Specializes in School Nurse.

School nursing is demanding. I don't know about you but those kids suck the life right out of me. It is OK to take a little nap when you get home. I often get on that couch when I get home and take a quick 15 minute cat nap before I get dinner ready. It does wonders as it gives me energy to do the things I need to do at night. I think you are quite normal. I remember feeling that change within my body at your age. I know that young people have a difficult time with that realization and the idea of cat naps, but they work wonders.

Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

people underestimate how mentally draining school nursing can be. I am beat by the end of my day, but i also do make time for my family and my own interests - i'm on the fire department in town which keeps me plenty busy (don't get me started on how tired i've been after fighting a fire all night then working all day!! needless to say, i'm a bit crabby the next day!) and I also do theater from time to time - so that takes up a chunk of time... but both are good stress releasors from the job. Yes, i come home from both tired, but happy. And a very supportive family is Key!!

If you actually are already asleep by 10:30pm you're only getting around 7 hrs of sleep. If you're like me and start getting ready for bed at the time you want to be asleep then you get even less. I cannot function well without at least 8 hrs of sleep. Try to go to bed earlier or just give yourself a 30 min power nap after work to give you energy for the rest of the eve to exercise or do a hobby you enjoy. I think both will help.

+ Add a Comment