True life as a nurse

gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

People told me I would be emotionally spent and exausted. This is serious business. I have never been so tired. I have gained so much weight it isn't funny. I work 12's. I get so tired I think I am going to pass out so I get chips and candy (I know bad) from the vending machine. I sip on coffee and colas all shift (but so does everyone else). I am now getting to the point that I believe this is affecting my health. I looked in the mirror last night and scared myself. I have been doing this for 3 years but omg I should not have aged this much. Do not work extra shifts--this is what happens. Yes, the money adds up but the cost is great. Everytime I think I can sit down and eat my salad I brought from home, something comes up. It is non stop. I do like the people I work with. I am not trying to be negative but trying to give myself a wake up call to slow the treadmill!

*nydctx*RN11 · Apr 12, 2011

I think its one of those things that comes with the territory. Its not a glamourous position, but if you have your head on straight and can organize time and be prepared for events- you'll get to a feeling of control. One of the most beautiful things about Nursing is there are so many avenues to choose from- whether its because of burnout, complacency, family, relocation etc. Its one of the few careers where simple things like a thank you or a smile is so rewarding it carries you to the next level. Its hard- the shiftwork is the pits, and in the beginning its pure adrenaline that gets you through-- but in the end it is something I wouldnt trade. ever.

buenavidaRN · Apr 12, 2011

Everything in life is about balance, right? Nursing too. I love working 12s because I LOVE my days off, and I find I am almost as tired after working an 8. So, for me it is worth it to stay an extra 4 hours and get 2 more days off each week. I know many people do it, but I couldn't imagine going to a job 5 days a week! :) I love the flexibility that the profession provides. I am a travel nurse now, and I love it! How many other professions do you get paid to travel and live, get to see amazing places, and work a little too?!?

Many times I think about my patients long after I leave the hospital, but that just comes with the territory. Part of being a great nurse is being empathetic, and sometimes when you aren't phased by anything you need to check yourself. I'm not trying to sugar-coat it ... my husband would tell you, there are many days when I am exhausted, frustrated, stressed, etc ... but, like *nydctx*RN11, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Find balance in all you do. Allow yourself to decompress after crazy/stressful/emotional shifts. Exercise is crucial! You will feel better, it is a stress relief, and it will make the 12's a bit easier. There is always junk food, bring healthy snacks that you can carry in your pocket for the times when you have 1.5 minutes to eat ...

Pursue something that you are passionate about, it will make life immensely better!

LouisVRN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

It really depends on you as a person. I work 12 hour nights - granted that means that 2 days a week I'm running on little sleep. But the fact is I love that my son doesn't have to go to day care and I have 4 days off a week that I don't have to think about work. By the end of my shift I am emotionally, mentally and physically spent, but imo that means I did my job. Give me 8 hours to sleep and I'll feel good as new. If anything I think it gives me more time to do quality things with my family. I've been a nurse for 3 years, there are a few patients that touch my heart and that I still think about but I work post-op, our goal is most of the time, acute care, often with stays less than 24 hours I think when you spend months or weeks with a person you have a much higher chance of getting emotionally burned.

ETA I've heard a lot of people complain about weight gain from working the night shift, but like weight gain in general its all about the choices you make. I've actually managed to lose 80lbs since starting to work nights and am now at my ideal weight for the first time in a long time.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

Wendi,

YES, sometimes I take my pt's issues home with me. For example, the young soldier that came home for Thanksgiving, got into an MVA that left him brain dead, and I had to help transport the pt with his wife and his entire platoon walking behind me as I wheeled him into the OR for organ donation. The former physician who suffered from dementia that I had to do a Gamma Nail on because he had a pathologic fx in his femur which broke while his aide was turning him for a bath. The two year old who fell backward onto a garden hoe and suffered a C2 fx.

But then I have pts who overcome the most astounding odds. The Stage IV cervical ca pt brought into complete remission. A pt awaiting a liver transplant that had to go on bypass with the one in a million chance that a donor would surface at the 11th hour (and miraculously, a matching donor surfaced at the 11th hour), an attending that was in a horrible bike accident struggles through surgery and recovery and is back in the operating room working a year later...these stories are evidence that miracles can occur. We have so much yet to learn about the body and the healing powers of our bodies. How lucky are we that we get to witness these occurrences?

These examples are WHY I chose nursing, and could not fathom doing anything other than nursing. We as nurses are exposed to heartbreaking AND incredibly uplifting stories from our patients. We learn a great deal from them.

Thankfully, my hubby is also in the health care field and can not only relate to my experiences, but can offer me sound advice when it comes to dealing with the politics of our profession. I have a rule that I set for myself: I MUST have one day a week where I have a clear calendar. Nothing scheduled, nothing expected of me. This is my mental downtime. If I don't get this, I am out of whack, and I find that my frustrations regarding work/life balance begins to climb.

This is my true life as a professional nurse. It is hard to find a balance, but if I don't get that balance, I am no good to anyone: myself, my patients, nor my husband.

rn438 · Apr 12, 2011

I have tons of free time . Only work three days a week ! Thank god.

I work in ICU. The most difficult thing is dealing with confused and aggressive patients that want to attack you when they are out of their mind.

And their families, who are experiencing the most stressful time in their life most likely, and view you as someone to distrust, or attribute things to you that are out of your control , or are extremely emotional and make it more difficult to do your job, IE demanding to talk to you and demand answers when in fact their family member is about to code and they just don't realize it . It is challenging , sometimes I am physically and emotionally drained , but overall not overwhelmingly so. I occasionally take patients home with me , some still bring tears to my eyes. Also, bring home self doubt- should I have done that or noticed something earlier?? That is the most difficult for me .

LPNsimbi · Apr 13, 2011

"True" life as a nurse depends on where you work and in what capacity. I've been an LPN almost 8 years and have worked in 4 facilities...the facility makes all the difference in the world. My career is nothing what I had envisioned from nursing school (though ER was the #1 show at that time, so the career was glamourized a bit). I ended up working in a nursing home, the last place I expected or wanted to work. The first year was scary because I felt ill-prepared. Clinicals were in hospitals and I never had more than 3 patients in school and my first nursing home job was night shift with over 50 patients to myself...I couldn't believe it was legal! :) The rough times will come - I've had to work 2 units because a nurse called in, I've had unbelievably horrible bosses, I've worked behind nurses who feel "follow-up" does not apply to them, I've gone head to head with surveyors defending decisions that were made, etc. BUT, if you can find an area of nursing that you thrive in, and find a facility that you enjoy, it's so much better. I've worked with so many nurses who've only worked at 1 place (not that it's a bad thing) and they don't have any idea what it's like elsewhere, so they complain...I was probably one of them early on! I've been at 2 good facilities, and 2 really bad ones. I can fully appreciate the place I'm at now because of the experiences I've had elsewhere. Ask another nurse at my facility, and they may complain about everything. Everyone handles it differently I guess. Just let your experiences teach you, because even the bad ones make the good ones that much better!

Oh, and I think the best thing I ever taught myself was "it's just a job." I was stressed the first 3 years of my career but finally learned to leave work "at work." Saves me a lot of stress, and lets me enjoy my time with family. I'm also more in an administrative role now so it's far different then working the floor, but it's a good fit for me. It has stress too, but of a different kind. If a floor nurse calls in sick, they get replaced. If I call in sick, I come back to 2 days of work waiting for me. But I've learned to even appreciate that! :yeah: