Survey: How do you get a life outside of work?

Well ... All of us in the ER are on 12hr shift patterns. So, the night before our work week starts, there is a group of about 6 of us, we all take turns doing, "dinner & a movie"

Each week its someones turn to either cook, or order pizza / chinese, whatever, and pick a movie. We all meet at their place, eat, have a few glasses of wine, and watch a movie, then play cards, or games till all hours of the am. Then sleep the day away, and meet for night shift.

I can imagine it could be a little hard for regular shifters, we're on a compressed 3x a week, so its a little easier for us.

Caller ID

I work 3 12s and I do them all in a row. During that 3 day stretch all I really do is work/sleep/eat.

But then I have 4 days off that are ALL MINE! I really make the most out of those 4 days .... catch up with family/friends, housework, TV, and all the other fun stuff I like to do. I live for those 4 days off!

I work two jobs...and planning for a wedding next year...but I find solace in doing a few projects here and there...working on things, reading, cleaning the house, cooking, watching tv, finding tv shows online that I like but haven't been able to follow, etc.

Work is just a part of my life. I wish I had those extra hours each week for personal use, but I also like not defaulting on my mortgage and eating...

I Tivo TV, not watching commercials saves a LOT of time . I've also chosen to let some things go; it's more important to me to play with my kids than to scrub my kitchen floor a couple of times a week. I also delegate chores--the hard part is not wanting to follow my kids to "do it right", but it's something I can live with.

On work days (12 hour shifts) I am pretty beat when I get home; a bowl of cereal, a book and bed are about all I'm up for. But, if I'm able to get enough rest during that time (I usually do my shifts in a row), then I'm ready for my four days of home time . I can't imagine working five days a week; that would do me in, I think.

The TV stays off at our house unless it is a sick day.
It is amazing how much you can get done when you free up those several hours a week.

One thing I tell my peers is being a nurse is a job not a life, you are a person and you are a nurse for 12 hours a day.

Well said!!! I learned the hard way after almost 30 years in nursing that a job needs to be a "part" of your life and not "become your life". Been there and done that!!! I cherish my time off and like the previous poster stated - CALLER ID!!!

It's not that bad! Docs here work 8 days in a row, or else their shifts may be longer than 12 hours. All I do is my 3 12s, and the rest of the time is mine.