SO Exhausted

sanctuary, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 28, 2006

I swear when i started in the ED, i NEVER thought i would have to work as hard as i do. I'm sitting here, my feet are THROBBING. I work 11a-11p, and i didn't get lunch until 930pm. AND it was a 15 minute one to boot. One bathroom break. And i had an average of 5-6 patients ALL night, some very critical, some not.
No wonder burnout is a major problem for ER. I HURT ALL OVER!!!!
ok am over it. i'll shut up now. :rotfl:

:icon_hug: :thankya: :thankya: :icon_hug:

From one who hasn't seen an ER since nursing school. I applaud and commend you. And, I think 12 hour shifts, unless you are answering a phone, are waaaaay to long. People who still live in the original way, ie, "primitive tribes", work 2, rest 2, gather or drive herds 1 or 2, rest a bit, and move on. I'm firmly convinced my body is still tuned to that cycle.:chuckle

Trauma Columnist · Jul 28, 2006

I just quit the ER in July after 10 years (ages 37 to 47). It was hard physically. However, I absolutely loved it and still feel a strong pull to the ER. However, I would now do it as an advanced practice nurse. I loved staff nursing though. I always worked 1900-0700 or 1500-0300 and you are so right its always so busy.

graysonret · Jul 28, 2006

Personally, I would NOT want a nurse working on me, with a serious medical condition, at 10pm, who has had one 15 minute break the past 11 hours. I work 12 hour shifts myself, and I know I can get pretty tired out. You can't be sharp and alert by then; relying mostly on instinct and training. Public awareness is the only way to change this.

SnowymtnRN · Jul 28, 2006

Personally, I would NOT want a nurse working on me, with a serious medical condition, at 10pm, who has had one 15 minute break the past 11 hours. I work 12 hour shifts myself, and I know I can get pretty tired out. You can't be sharp and alert by then; relying mostly on instinct and training. Public awareness is the only way to change this.

personal awareness won't do anything to change it. If there's no one to watch your patients because they are equally or more busy than you are, then there just isn't anyone. Not to mention if i am working 12 hours, then i have to MAKE myself be on top of things for 12 hours. How many ER docs do you see that are well rested and fresh? None i know of. Our docs work super hard for long hours and they are totally on top of their game.

This was just a venting post. I wouldn't change it for anything, i love the ER. I do not however love it when i'm worked like i was last night. But what are you going to do?

lannisz · Jul 28, 2006

I know you were just venting, but can I give you a standing ovation anyway? (I've been off for 3 days so my feet don't hurt anymore.) I could never do ER and after 10 hours I'm pretty brain dead. So, I applaud you for working so hard. Even if no one else ever says it, I will... well done!

SnowymtnRN · Jul 28, 2006

I know you were just venting, but can I give you a standing ovation anyway? (I've been off for 3 days so my feet don't hurt anymore.) I could never do ER and after 10 hours I'm pretty brain dead. So, I applaud you for working so hard. Even if no one else ever says it, I will... well done!

Gee thanks. :imbar I'm not special tho. lol I'm sure like you and I, most people on this site work their cahones off and feel this way every day! lol

pickledpepperRN · Jul 28, 2006

Gee thanks. :imbar I'm not special tho. lol I'm sure like you and I, most people on this site work their cahones off and feel this way every day! lol

Oh yes you are special.

Others who care for patients like you do are special too.

My true heroes!

Your patients, their families, and all of us benefit from your important work.

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2006

I am pretty darn exhausted after 12 hours on a telemetry unit also. Same stuff, only pee once and lunch is optional. Patients are always wanting and needing, family members are needier than the patients and the other departments seem to all call at the same time for all of my patients and then call back to ask why they are not there for there test yet when two of them are on the toilet and one is on the phone. Laxatives have nothing in comparison to being called for a test...seems that makes most everyone have to use the toilet.

Retired R.N. · Jul 29, 2006

Personally, I would NOT want a nurse working on me, with a serious medical condition, at 10pm, who has had one 15 minute break the past 11 hours. I work 12 hour shifts myself, and I know I can get pretty tired out. You can't be sharp and alert by then; relying mostly on instinct and training. Public awareness is the only way to change this.

Once upon a time...back in the dark ages when I was younger...we had a nice system for taking care of seeing to it that all nurses got their bathroom breaks because it was cost effective to keep our nurses healthy and prevent burnout.

The nursing office would always have at least one RN who could go to any department that needed someone capable of taking charge for temporary relief. If things got busy all over the hospital, there was an on-call system of volunteers who were happy to get extra pay for coming in.

So, any department that needed help just needed to call the nursing office and report the problem. Help was always provided.

Retired R.N.

debbyed · Jul 29, 2006

When I was much younger I thought 12 hour shift were a gift sent from whomever. Work 3 days a week with 4 off. :eek:

Now that I'm over 50 I really really really would like to only have to work 8 hours....4 would be even nicer!!!:zzzzz

scrmblr · Jul 31, 2006

:pumpiron: I just worked 5 shifts in 6 days. They were 12 hour day shifts, but I am exhausted. I could barely roll myself out of bed this morning! Our ED was FULL from about 10 am on. Full and had people in chairs waiting for beds as fast as we could empty them. I ran and ran! My back aches, my feet are throbbing and I can barely pry myself up from this computer chair:lol I am pretty exhausted physically and my "give a dang" is kinda busted right now. (I am tired of "er abusers" and "frequent flyers")

But, honestly? I really love it. I even love this exhaustion (well:)) :chair: But, if staffing calls today...I'm NOT answering!