SO Exhausted

Published

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!!!!:p

ok am over it. i'll shut up now. :rotfl:

I can usually find 2 or 3 minutes for a quick pee. Being in my mid-40s and having had children, I cannot afford the risk of toting around a full bladder:rotfl:

If it ever is an issue I can always get someone to cover 2-3 minutes for me. That's where teamwork comes in...and that little thing called the Golden Rule.

As far as feet...I am still looking for shoe nirvana. Most of the time I wear my Crocs, and do like them. wish i could afford some new Birkenstocks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

not much better on the floors...............sigh

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, telemetry.

My husband and I work opposite schedules. He is a school teacher and is home ~2:30 in the afternoon and I go to work at 3p-11 or 3p-3a and work full time hours. I keep our 3 children (ages 1, 3, and 8) all day and then go to work in the evening. I am up at 6:30am every morning (my 3 year old hasn't quite figured out what sleeping in entails). I am EXHAUSTED all the time. Working in the ED worsens my fatigue since I barely ever get to eat, take ANY kind of break, pee, etc.... We do what we have to do. I wouldn't want to work in any other dept. though, since I LOVE er nursing. And, when I get old, I will feel proud of myself and my husband for sacrificing our sleep and sanity to raise our children without the help of daycare. The kids better appreciate it!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Endoscopy Nursing, me.

I myself just got off of 3 in a row night shifts...I work in a really busy level 1...it takes me 2 of my days off to fully recover. I really love where I am but its a different kind of stressor... ER work I mean..but I have to say the teamwork where I am is AWESOME and I feel very lucky to work with the people I do...and also just when you think you are out of steam and a critical comes through the door you really do find a renewed sense of alertness to take care of this patient and get the job done..this is a unique strength that I think is natural to nurses:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion