is nursing is an anti-social job?

Nurses General Nursing

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Does anybody else feel like nursing is an anti-social job? Or am I stating the obvious to you lot??

Since I left university and moved from my home village my social life has all most become non-existent. All my friends from secondary school/college are 9-5 er's who work together and I 'feel out of it'. My university friends have gone home Scotland/Wales etc. It's hard to make plans unless I've booked them off the off-duty. Can't go off for the weekend, go for a midweek drink/party as I don't like to drink before shift, and my friends are drinkers who can understand why you go out to drink OJ.

I suppose what I'm saying is I cant make friends here in London and I wanna go home. I can't though my b/f business is here. I am the youngest by 10 yrs at work (I'm 23). We go out for meals and stuff. I wanna a coffee buddy/shopping buddy.

I feel so depressed about it I feel have nobody to chat with or have fun with. It feels like a kinda sad thing to admit to, not having any friends. I go home and go shopping/in the evening etc but home is 2 hours away. I'll like to travel around New Zealand and Australia, so I think I'm off by myself; I love to go with someone.

Sorry for my woe-is-me rant

Ruby

talk with other RN's ,they are people like you around.You just do not see them now,what about other floor.cheer up !:)

Hi Spaniel Gal,

I am just starting pre-reqs, so I can't specifically address your situation, but I think its common in many professions, especially if you are in a new city and you are the new girl on the job. Personally I have never felt welcomed when I start a new job. You so want to fit in but you always feel others are looking over your shoulders. It takes time for them to trust you and allow you into their clique.

As for the hours? Yes when you work unusual hours it does make it harder. Perhaps you could join a hobby club or take a non-nursing class that interests you just so you can meet new people?

I am getting ready to leave an area I have lived in for almost thirty years. I no longer have family here except for my father (we don't speak) so that is no big deal, but I'm still emotional about leaving the familar for the unfamilar. But I have found that I seem to be drifting further apart from my friends. They all are married with younger children and our times together are less and less frequent. And the older I get the more inadequate it made me feel. Don't get me wrong, I adore children (I can't have any) and would rather be married than single, but I always feel out of place around them. Most of my newer friends are about 10-15 years younger than me. A bit of an age gap, but they are single so we can do more things together.

Okay I got sidetracked a bit! Anyway I am actually looking forward to my move. I'm looking forward to starting classes, I'm looking forward to making new friends and seeing new things. Having a social life, at least for a couple of years, won't be a priority, but if I can fit in a night out every once in awhile I will!

Good luck!

I understand what you are saying. As much as you would like the same social life that you see your contemporaries having, I believe that you are in a profession that demands more maturity, up front. You have moved into a diffrent maturity class. You will find peer that you can enjoy a social life with; by looking around within fields and groups that are experience simular demands on thier time and relsponsiblility

Spaniel Gal,

Hang in there, nurses come and go in hospitals, and you are bound to meet some you click with. Also, the only way to feel comfortable and familiar with a place is to be there for awhile. So, good luck!

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

I say take up golf and associate with other people

Hi

Thanks everybody for the advice and info, I have found a group for 18-35's which meet weekly and arrange stuff or just to meet for a chat. So hopefully someone will get back to me :)

Ruby

:kiss

Specializes in Hospice.

Ruby,

Good for you! Before you know it you'll be so busy with your new life you'll be amazed! I have a feeling some one in that group is going to be so fortunate to have made a new friend-you!

Cheryl

This is a maturing process. Did you really expect to have your grade school friends forever? I was miserable when I first moved here 6 years ago, until I met people thru work and church. Now I feel at home. I think it is normal to be homesick but make the effort to meet people. Good luck and stick with your plan! You will be proud of yourself later.

Specializes in Hospice.

purplemania,

It may be part of the maturing process, but it isn't easy-we've all been there one way or another. Support and knowing that it's not just you makes a difference.

Cheryl

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