still at it.

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, . So here's the update,im still working up to 16 sometimes 18 hour days 5 days a week. The past 2 months I've slowly started to get more and more stressed. Also taking more sleep medicine (bemedryl)(melatonin) the last month and a half I have been a little depressed,very anxious. On edge. I am known as a great worker but at least 99.9% of people who know me. The only one not impressed with the care I give is myself. I still get 2 days a week off but feels like almost too much rest for me. I'm still getting o average 5 hours of sleep a night, but off days I sleep almost all day. I am getting amazing overtime and paychecks almost to the point now where I don't need the money AT ALL. Ithink I am slowly becoming more greedy. Anyway. My back has felt like it's broken for about a week now. I don't wanna sound completely negative but I'm just putting it all out there since from my last post I got GREAT advice and I thank you guys for it. It took me a while to read the comments but I was surprised at how good the feedback was from you guys. Anyway, good news is I have amazing family and coworkers who have kept me positive and happy on days I was feeling down. I recently had an EKG done and my heart health is perfect , the only thing is I'm not feeling like myself. I've also had blood work,which came back perfect. I also took the advice from you guys on taking care of myself better. I'm eating alot healthier ,more protein and vegetables. The only bad thing is I love alcohol after a long day at work. The past 3 weeks I was feeling terrible but I'm feeling better this past week. I love the people I take care of but the ones I have like I said are in their right state of mind so you CANNOT show your stressed which is very stressful.so I'll be back it ,probably 28 hours Saturday and Sunday. I really appreciate you guys and the comments. Please feel free to give any advice, like I said, the advice from the last post was awesome. Ill still keep trying to take better care of myself. Thanks again

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You are on a fast track to burn out. You have a great family? Then spend time with them. In my book family is, and has always been first. Good luck to you.

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Your definitely right. I love my family and lately ive worked more than spent time with them. Work has turned to my family. I have to cut back on hours. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Everybody's advice is really helpful on here

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Your definitely right. I love my family and lately ive worked more than spent time with them. Work has turned to my family. I have to cut back on hours. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Everybody's advice is really helpful on here

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You know the answer. Cut back on your hours. Immediately.

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Too many hours. No life balance. That amount of constant work could easily be making you feel ill.

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Get a girlfriend. she will help drain the stress and that overloaded bank account since you no longer have need for the money.

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Specializes in ICU.

You are working too much. Period.

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I have been. I'm trying to only work 45 a week

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True. I had one and she drained everything. I like not being tied down. I had 20 dollars to my name when engaged

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm trying to only work 45 a week
I suppose I might be lazy or lacking a work ethic, but 45 hours a week is entirely too much time at work for me. I am simply not the type of nurse who enjoys face time with patients and coworkers every single day.
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Specializes in CICU, Telemetry.

It's so easy to fall in love with overtime and the bump in your paycheck. I worked 5 12 hour shifts a week for 3 months and saved my entire down-payment for a new house. It's truly amazing. Until you realize the toll that it takes. Physically, mentally, emotionally. Fact of the matter is, it's not sustainable. It's okay to bang out a few crazy OT weeks to achieve a goal now and then, but it sounds like you've been trying to sustain that number of hours for WAY too long. Get back down to the hours you were hired for (36, 40, whatever) and stay there for a few months. If you're still feeling depressed and not sleeping, maybe time to see a doctor. I ended up having to take sleeping medication a little harder than benedryl and melatonin, but now I'm able to sleep 8-10 hours in between shifts and actually show up refreshed (and yeah I know I can only do that because I don't have kids, but MAN is it glorious).

Start with just cutting back hours, though. That in itself will do wonders.

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