Your priorities

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Your priorities

In a recent show of "Scrubs" a very interesting view point was presented, that the number one priority for a doctor is the hospital. As I began to dwell on this and reflect this back to my own childhood (growing up as the son of a pastor) I began to realize something. That this attitude of "the profession is always first" is the primary reason that medical field and the pastorate are the two highest stress jobs in America; but also a primary reason for the intense burnout in the two professions. Upon realizing this I questioned several nursing students as to this view, it shocked me that they professed an attitude identical to that of the show. My question now goes to a wider audience and a group with a higher experience level. Do you, as a medical professional, consider the hospital your first priority, why or why not?

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I agree w/those who say family first. Admin won't be there for me when I am in crisis; my family are. Admin won't be at my dying bed, comforting me; family will be. Blood is thick......thicker than my profession.

And NO hobby puts my family in the back seat. If that happens, then I will have become my mother and God forbid that.

Work in its place. Family in my heart.

Specializes in M/S/Tele, Home Health, Gen ICU.

I love nursing, I love my job, but I love my family more. I give my all to the job when I'm there and I do do extra if it fits in with my family, but family does come first. I also don't expect my staff to feel any different, nor do make tham feel guilty if they cannot come in extra or have to be off due to their families.

Specializes in ICU/CCU/MICU/SICU/CTICU.

Kids, hubby, then work.

My kids and hubby were there well before I became a nurse, and will be there long after I retire.

Like the old saying goes........... no one on their deathbed will ever say "I wish Id spent more time at work"

My relationship w/ my dh is first.

When I am at work, the patient is my first priority. Second is making sure that I am not getting screwed by the company. They will work me to death if I let them, and my nature is to let myself be worked to death. I am finding that the only way I can stay in nursing is to be aware of this at all times, and to constantly be maintaining boundaries and setting limits with the facility, just as we must do with manipulative overly needy pts. The facility is just the place where I do my work. I am not loyal to a company or a facility. The loyalty is the the pt and to myself.

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
My relationship w/ my dh is first.

When I am at work, the patient is my first priority. Second is making sure that I am not getting screwed by the company. They will work me to death if I let them, and my nature is to let myself be worked to death. I am finding that the only way I can stay in nursing is to be aware of this at all times, and to constantly be maintaining boundaries and setting limits with the facility, just as we must do with manipulative overly needy pts. The facility is just the place where I do my work. I am not loyal to a company or a facility. The loyalty is the the pt and to myself.

You got that right!! I love what I do, and the management at my particular workplace has actually been VERY good to me......but I've also busted my butt and EARNED what I have, and even so, I realize that I'm replaceable.

My family, however, is not, and as my children grow up and leave home I hold tight to what 'together' time we have left. I learned during the hell that was my last administrative job that work, however necessary for life, is NOT my life..........this is why I now work an 8-hour shift, four days a week, and when I turn that narcotics key in and swipe out, my time is my own. :)

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
Tom -- Not sure 'bout you.

The above sounds an awful lot like OJ. Are you really him?

]

Which or What OJ are you referring to.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

It's very important that I have a job that pays the bills. My job is a nurse. Family has to make sacrifices. Fortunately my "family" is spouse and two dogs, so the sacrifices are not that much. I work holidays, every other weekend and nights, so it takes its toll. So it's a very high priority in my life. It's my #1 priority the three 12-hour shfits I'm there.

But unless there is a disaster, then the hospital is no where on my priority list while I'm away. They can call me all they want, my health, my family, and my spirit are more important at that time.

So for a simple answer. No, the hospital is not my #1 priority in my life. :)

I love nursing, I love my job, but I love my family more. I give my all to the job when I'm there and I do do extra if it fits in with my family, but family does come first. I also don't expect my staff to feel any different, nor do make tham feel guilty if they cannot come in extra or have to be off due to their families.

AMEN! Couldn't have said it better!:balloons:

Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
]Which or What OJ are you referring to.

You gotta ask??? :)

Why Orenthal James, of course.

I became less stressed and happier when I started leaving everything at the door when I left. Sure a pt or situation will cross my mind after work but I do not allow myself to dwell on it. It is very well known not to bother calling me at home, I don't answer the phone. Other nurses have commented to me about how no one can ever get ahold of me, and then in the same sentence complain that so and so called them about something that could have waited until they returned to work. 100% at work is fine, 0% after I clock out.

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
I became less stressed and happier when I started leaving everything at the door when I left. Sure a pt or situation will cross my mind after work but I do not allow myself to dwell on it. It is very well known not to bother calling me at home, I don't answer the phone. Other nurses have commented to me about how no one can ever get ahold of me, and then in the same sentence complain that so and so called them about something that could have waited until they returned to work. 100% at work is fine, 0% after I clock out.

Things got so much better for me when I stopped doing charge

Then I was obliged to be available to respong to calls

now, no longer in charge and no longer obliged to answer or return calls

thank god for caller ID and kids, they all answer the phone anyway, and always respond Daddies gone Golfing again. Or Daddies sleeping, or Daddies gone to the topless bar or whatever.

At the end of the day , the last day of your life will you regret missing time at work or time with your family ? For me the answer is simple. If my choice to make my family the top priority in my life , makes me not dedicated then so be it .

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