Nursing with endometriosis presents a whole lot of challenges, as nurses are overworked and burnt out. Today, I’m sharing how endometriosis has affected my career.
My Desire to be a Nurse
I have known that I wanted to be nurse since early childhood; since I was in 7th grade to be exact. I remember setting out my educational plan after taking an aptitude test that recommended nursing as a career option. The results of the test struck so hard that I made it my mission to make sure I would one day become a Registered Nurse.
Being that my birthday landed just before the cut off for my grade level, I was able to enter high school as a thirteen-year-old. But my age in no way represented my dedication to do well in school. Every class and extracurricular program I took on was so that I could get into a good college and become a nurse. Yup, I was that kid. But I am not ashamed because that is who I am.
Healthcare Was Always My Calling
Even before taking the aptitude test in 7th grade, I always knew that healthcare was my calling. My 7-year-old self would frequently tell my mom that I was going to be a Speech Pathologist! I was inspired after having witnessed my grandmother go through several therapy sessions to regain her speech after multiple strokes.
Then later, at about age 11, I left my pediatrician appointment telling my mom that I was going to be a Pediatrician. I remember leaving the pediatric office knowing that I would one day ease any anxiety that my patients might be having, just like my doctor had done for me.
As you can see, wanting to take care of people has been an innate characteristic that I’ve had since childhood.
I cannot deny that I love being able to assist and comfort people when they are in a state of fear and vulnerability. Likewise, I love being able to educate people and provide them with ways to take control of their health. But, more importantly, I love being able to empower a person to gain the willpower to act against their disease and prognosis. It’s very rewarding!
Nursing with Endometriosis: Oncology
It is for this exact reason I went into Oncology Nursing after graduating from nursing school. You see, cancer patients are some of the most hopeful and inspiring patients you will ever meet in your life.
Yes, there are some people who have difficulty coping with the diagnosis, understandably. But in my experience, most of my patients battling cancer are just trying to live their best life while also fighting for it. It’s incredibly inspiring and rewarding.
Nursing Is Not Easy, Even worse when Nursing with Endometriosis
I love being a nurse, I really do. But here is the thing . . . I don’t love the politics involved in healthcare. Because the reality is, nursing is hard. Very hard. It’s demanding in ways that I never thought were possible. A typical shift depletes nurses of all the emotional, mental, and physical support they can give. Leaving them with nothing to give to themselves or their families. It’s exhausting and, frankly, unhealthy.
All these things have a significant impact on endometriosis, as stress is a definite contributor to endo symptoms.
We Are Only Getting Sicker
Every day the US population is getting sicker. This is partly due to a culture that is rooted in the need for quick meals, sedentary lifestyles, and a healthcare system that promotes the treatment of disease rather than the prevention of disease.
I do recognize that disease prevention is largely a part of what I was taught. And I know that there are many healthcare providers that are trying to educate people on preventative medicine. But the truth of the matter is, in a hospital setting, most of everything is dictated by healthcare politics.
Many nurses are lacking the proper support to provide excellent nursing care; but they are still expected to make it happen. And this is not entirely the fault of the hospitals and administrators they work for.
Healthcare Politics
Insurance companies are dictating the way healthcare can be provided. Never mind the patient and their individual circumstances. If a doctor orders a test that is not within the standard of care, then insurance companies won’t pay for it.
And even worse, Medicare pays a set amount for a patient’s hospital stay with regards to their admitting diagnosis. This leads to a push to get patients discharged before they may even be ready. Along those same lines, hospitals need more beds to keep up with demands of the ever-growing sickly population.
Patients are metaphorically fighting for beds when a hospital stay is warranted. To make room, charge nurses and case managers (who are also nurses) are held accountable for discharging any patients who show slight improvements in their status and at the first sign of a safe discharge.
Nursing with Endometriosis
These facts show just of a glimpse of the stresses that nurses face everyday (and other healthcare professionals for that matter). But when you are facing a chronic disease of your own, these stressors present a whole new set of challenges.
Due to my endometriosis, I have a daily battle with extreme fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, nausea, pelvic cramping, joint pain, headaches, back pain, and sciatica nerve pain.
When I started my nursing career in 2013, I did not have all these symptoms, but I did have frequent headaches, fatigue, and severe pelvic cramping with my periods. I used to write it off as being “normal” since that is what I was taught.
However, something I noticed early on in my career was that I had a hard time keeping up with the energy of my coworkers. Many nurses who work 12-hour shifts try to consolidate the days, so that they can have 4 days off in a row. But I never found that doable. My body and mind literally could not take it.
And although every one of my colleagues thought I was crazy, I usually requested a max of 2 days in a row with my ideal schedule being one day on, then the following day off, and repeat. But even then, my days off were spent trying to recuperate.
Outpatient Nursing with Endometriosis
So, I left inpatient nursing in 2015, and entered the world of outpatient nursing at a Cancer Infusion Center. Outpatient nursing has been the most beneficial thing I did for myself and my endometriosis.
I was able to transition to a work schedule that involved 8-hour shifts from Monday through Friday. And up until last year, I knew it was the most optimal setting for myself and the care I could provide to my patients.
Am I Quitting Nursing?
However, throughout 2018 and up until now, my endometriosis symptoms have gotten increasingly worse. So much so, that in the past year my attendance rate has significantly decreased. This has been especially hard for me, as I have always prided myself on being a good employee.
Frankly, I am surprised that I have been able to keep my job. Had it not been for the FMLA benefits provided by my employer, I would have lost my job around the Christmas Holiday of 2018.
Thank God I still have my job! Because without it, I would not only lose my income, but I would also lose my amazing medical insurance benefits, which I obviously need.
All of this to say, after 6 years of working as a full-time registered nurse (both inpatient and outpatient), I am now recognizing that it is not in my best interest to work in at the bedside at all.
But no, I am not quitting nursing. I don’t think I ever could. Nursing is an amazing career and, really, nursing is the most flexible career path you could ever choose! Which is why I don’t have to quit.
Transitioning My Career Path
Within the next two years, I have plans to change my career path within nursing; which is the beauty of having a RN license. You can do absolutely anything with it! For now, I have decreased my full-time status to part-time.
Part-time status will allow me to get the rest I need in-between shifts, while also allowing me the opportunity navigate the changes that are to come. All of which have still yet to be fully determined.
A few things are for sure though, I love being a nurse. I love helping people. And I have a newfound love for educating people on topics related to endometriosis and nutrition. Maybe that gives you some hints on what I have in mind . . . or maybe this blog gives it away. Regardless, I cannot wait for what the future holds!
Update 6/2019: After being part-time for a few months and starting Low-Dose Naltrexone, I now feel prepared to transition back into my full-time status at work. This comes at the perfect time, as our savings have been depleted and we are in need of the extra income.
Update 5/2020: I am still working full-time and have started a new position as a Clinic Nurse at the same Cancer Center I have worked at for the past few years. Staying within this Cancer Center allowed me to transition into a new role with people who already know me and my health struggles. I was hired even though the management knew I would be out for 6 weeks for excision surgery. Honestly, I feel blessed and so thankful.
Inspiration to My Fellow Nurses
If you are struggling with endometriosis or chronic disease and find yourself reconsidering nursing as a career, I encourage you to first rethink your specialty/setting. As you may know, there are countless subspecialties within nursing. You just need to find a niche that resonates with you and your goals.
Below are some of the following areas you might consider:
- Outpatient Infusion Nursing
- Ambulatory Care Nurse in your preferred area of specialty
- Wellness Nurse/Occupational Nursing
- School Nursing
- Utilization Review Nursing
- Nurse Navigator
- Case Management
- Nurse Coaching/Health Coaching
- Holistic Nursing
- Nurse Education
- Home Health Nursing
- Nurse Consultant
- Community Health/Public Health Nursing
- Research Nursing
- Genetics Nursing
- Telephone Triage Nursing
- Nurse Entrepreneur
I’m sure there are countless more. If you know of any others that should be listed here, comment below!
Hi,I mistakenly deleted your email regarding your pending endometriosis surgery this month.
Could you please resend it.My daughter is scheduled for the same surgery with Dr. Cook on May29,2020.Thank you
Hello George,
I will gladly resend that to you. Thanks for reaching out and all the best wishes and prayers go out to your daughter and family.
Melissa 🙂