Sick all the time

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

I'm not sure what's going on here. Ever since I moved up North from Florida 3 months ago, I've had a couple of colds, the flu and two bouts with gastroenteritis. Normally I get sick with the flu or cold a couple times a year. I've called off twice and I'm still on orientation! This is not good. Last night I started with yet another head cold. This is crazy. Can stress do this? I'm having a difficult orientation as a new nurse on a regional trauma ICU. Yesterday I found myself tearing up at the end of my shift. I'd had enough. I should have been singled instead of doubled. My pt. was a crush injury, traumatic amputation x2, with a road trip to OR and CT. When my preceptor harranged me for a low priority task I left till later to accomplish on my stable pt., I felt totally beat up. I worked 14 hours without a break. When the pt. comes back from OR, it takes me a while to get him assessed and all hooked up again. I wish it didn't take so long but it does. I hate road trips. I have many days like that. I also have many days I feel good about what I've done. What was I thinking when I chose trauma ICU? Anyway, I'm sick again.

I know I'm rambling, venting and looking for sympathy or whatever. I'm hanging in there but by a thread.

[Liddle Noodnik]

... I know I'm rambling, venting and looking for sympathy or whatever. I'm hanging in there but by a thread.

Kitty Kat - no you aren't rambling or looking for sympathy, this is VERY TOUGH STUFF! Yes a change in envt could do it, yes the stress could do it. Seems kinda normal with those kinds of changes!

How much orientation did you get? I would think that you would still be working WITH another nurse especially trauma ICU!

Perhaps you can speak with your supervisor about your orientation and see if you can "back up" a little. But I also think that being a fairly new nurse, it's pretty normal for YOU to be "trauma"tized - be gentle with yourself even if your co-workers don't seem to be.

Are you in touch with others in your class? You might find that they are in a similar boat. I do think that coming to Allnurses was a good idea, because you do need to remember that you are NOT alone!

{{{{{{{{{{KittyKat}}}}}}}}}}}}

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Big hugs, Kathy ... will PM you later.

:icon_hug:

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

My preceptor and I do have good communication and I appreciate her being up front with me about my progress. She does make herself available to to pitch in but she prefers to wait for me to delegate to her. Being able to delegate is one of the criterion new orientees have to accomplish before coming off. Others are helpful too. It's a challenging environment and when I'm sick, I can't think or perform well. It's hard enough when I'm well. Sometimes her timing isn't the best and I think she might be asking too much of me.

There are a few of us orientees that started at the same time. We're all struggling, crying and questioning our career choices.

[psalm, RN]

...depending on where you are now located, you might be having allergies to the area. We lived in a valley for awhile and I had so many allergies to the outside I thought I was going crazy! So ask if this is a high allergy area.

...I'm praying for you, you sound like a great nurse who just needs a little time.

[Liddle Noodnik]

My preceptor and I do have good communication and I appreciate her being up front with me about my progress. She does make herself available to to pitch in but she prefers to wait for me to delegate to her. Being able to delegate is one of the criterion new orientees have to accomplish before coming off. Others are helpful too. It's a challenging environment and when I'm sick, I can't think or perform well. It's hard enough when I'm well. Sometimes her timing isn't the best and I think she might be asking too much of me.

There are a few of us orientees that started at the same time. We're all struggling, crying and questioning our career choices.

{{{{{{{{{{KittyKat}}}}}}}}}}}

[indigo girl]

When I oriented in ICU, coincidentally in Pennsylvania, I was sick frequently also. New environment, new germs, stress, and I seemed to have more problems in Pa with allergies in general. There are something like 6 different weather patterns that converge over it, and air pollution is not helping. What city are you located in? If in Philadelphia, you'll have access to a Whole Foods Market. Would you consider trying to boost your immunity? I take a product developed by an Israeli virologist to help me prevent URI's, Sambucol, an extract of elderberries. It's very good, and works well for me.

Hopefully, you're also taking a really good MVI, and extra Vit C, and lots of sleep the biggest healer. Go get a massage, or a Reiki session, or some kind of touch therapy. This is a good time to do something extra for yourself, you deserve it, honey, 14 hour days! Foot reflexology is heaven for those of us who like our feet massaged. It's not whining to ask for support. We want to help if we can.

[CHATSDALE]

when i lived in san diego the nurses had a name for it,. cal.flu,,sated thatit took the body 6-8 wks to develop a immunity to new germs..plus the stres of the new job

hang in there you will succeed