handling long shifts

[malkieh]

So I have done some 11 hour shifts as an OR nurse, only out of necessity.

This past week, one of the Dr's offered to pay me more then I am getting at my present job to work at his private surgery office.

I thought it would pay more then it did in the end, and that was in my own stupidity for not discussing it prior to beginning. In the end it ended up being a disaster. Firstly the location was around an hour drive in NO traffic so at 6 am it was fine, but LA traffic after 5 pm forget it! It took me almost 2 hours to get home!

The procedure ended up going for about 6 hours, but prior to that we were waiting about 2 hours. Because I was the only RN I could not leave the OR and take a break, there were no stools in the OR so I was basically standing for 6 hours. Plus alot of turning the patient, giving things to the doctor equipment changes..etc.. It's not a sitting procedure in the first place. Plus the anesthesiologist fell asleep and then the pt's bp dropped, don't ask.. Then I had to recover the patient as well. But I begged the dr to take a break an eat.

Problem is after 8 hours of not eating and the room was very stuffy not good air flow. My stomach was a majorly upset, and I ended up vomiting my food. Thing is that this has happened previously, I just do not do well without eating for extended periods. When I am fasting I have to stay in bed and even then I get very ill.

The shift ended up being 11 hours, and I had to stay there were no other RN's. I know how to hold it together so no one knew that I was not handling it. Luckily, I had family locally who let me sleep for like an hour, but it was still a long drive home and the pay was bad.

My question is, how do you deal with the long days? I know I should have had snacks with me like carrots, granola bar, etc.. Is there anything else that can help me survive in these situations? I have had blood work and everything comes out normal, so I am feeling a bit lost. My doctor said that it sounds like my blood glucose drops. I try to eat sustaining food like oatmeal for breakfast, I avoid coffee (or at least try to). But all my blood tests come back normal.

[nursecandoit]

It sounds to me like you're human. People are not meant to survive for hours without eating, standing, doing physically exerting work. Under the conditions you describe, you should be taking frequent breaks in order to refuel. You probably dehydrate, your blood sugar drops, your head then becomes unfocused, not because anything is wrong, but because that's what happens.

[achot]

I hope you didnt give up your previous position, if you did, I would start to ask for it back. Just in case...
There are labor laws protecting us humans from being in situations like you describe. Its ok for one time thing or after a natural disaster but as a regular position, its as disastrous as you describe and against the law. See this:
www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_mealperiods.htm
Regarding your mistake in not getting all the information about salary and conditions up front- rookie mistake that most pple make, dont be so hard on yourself and if you want this position despite its obvious drawbacks I would do my homework, make a list of what conditions you can handle. schedule a meeting with your 'boss' and explain that you need certain conditions met before you can effectively continue including regular breaks, a relief nurse on hand (what would he do if you had to call in sick? cancel surgeries?) Personally I am not a fan of the 12 hour shifts (as a one time thing its ok, but its really not human and long term negative effects are well documented and beyond the scope of this post). You have to decide if you can handle the 12 hour shifts and renegotiate your salary accordingly.
When you mentioned lack of air flow, I wonder if the room has enough oxygen, If there is a (pulse) oxymeter around, put it on your finger when you are feeling woozy to see if you're getting enuf in that stuffy room.
If you decide to stay may I suggest support stockings...
If you dont get satisfaction from the doctor who lured you there, ask him to help you get your previous position back.
So sorry you have this going on. Good luck with it.

[malkieh]

no the doctor actually called my regular job to offer me the hours, and to get permission to "borrow me"

The doctor did call me again privately to see if I would come again, and I was honest and said that it was a long day and took me almost 2 hours to get home. Considering the pay this was just not doable to me, if they would consider paying me more then I would reconsider.

Of course they have not called back, think they enjoyed employing a "cheap" RN, but it's not the same when they try to renegotiate.

I still have my regular job, have no intention of leaving my regular job until I get a real tachlis job offer. Like in a hospital with medical benefits.

Most circulating nurses only work 10 hours, because we are on our feet. This was more appealing then the 12 hour shifts for myself.