nursing and family life

[Jhope]

I have been a nurse for a little over a year in a busy ED. I have 3 children and have been married for about 7 years. Since I've started working as a nurse, it seems that my job has really taken a toll on my married/family life. I mean let's face it, nursing in the ED is not your average 8-5 job with weekends and holidays off. With all its down falls and stressors, I love my job with a passion, but of course I love my family too. Lately, I find myself burdened with guilt that perhaps I am neglecting them. Between the two I find myself mentally and physically exhausted. Am I the only one who has this problem? Is there any advice out there?

[CEN35]

I have been through it, and heard it all. I have lost all but one of my (work) family, in the last 9 months. It's not the same anymore......and they do tell me how much better things are where they are now. Away from the ER and stress.

Actually 2 wweks ago......I didnt think I wold ever leave. I am pondering the idea now, d/t recent changes there.

CYA4NOW

[Enright]

I've been an RN for 15 years, married during nursing school. We have no kids but rode out the night shifts, holiday work and no "dependable" time off (always getting called in). I then became an RN manager and found this meant working 7 days a week for no extra pay. DH is an easy going soul but I'd had it. Like many previous posts, I made more than he did so I felt guilty about looking for a lesser paying low stress job. When I found my dream job, it was amazing how negligible the pay difference really was from old job to new.

Now I work as a government nurse consultant, M-R, 10 hour days, no nights ,holidays or weekends. I'm in a great pension plan AND we can take 3 day weekends off 52 times a year. It is the best thing I ever did for my mental health and for our family life.

[Nursz-R-Awsm]

Jhope, I know how you feel. I read somewhere... probably on this board, that if you feel you need to choose...choose the things that you would be devastated about if you had to live without. It has made an impact on my perspective.

Kday, those books sound like good practical advice...I will be looking for them on my next day off. My dilemma is not work/no work, but I'm a new grad w/her biological clock ticking and wanting to get enough experience under my belt in L/D before cutting back. It's very conflicting and I'm trying to be patient.

Wayne, I agree...never read an epitaph saying "I wish I had spent more time at work".

Lisa