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After I work two or three days in a row, my first day off is a waste. I don't get anything accomplished. I have all these big plans, but when I get up in the morning I don't even feel like changing out of my pj's. I just want to sit at the computer and waste the day away.
Then, I feel so guilty when my husband gets home from work and the house is still a mess. (I have washed the dirty dish and put on a load of clothes to wash...have done something :) )
After my last day of work, I spend the next day sleeping for hours. I have no motivation to get dressed and go out. My bed, my couch, and my fridge makes me happy. I'll sleep for an embarassingly long time during the first 24 hours off...and it's okay because I know I deserve the rest both mental and physical rest.
Yeah, sounds like my day yesterday. I had worked (3) 12 hour shifts in 4 days. The weekend is usually busy but a little slower than the weekdays. Not this weekend- my last day on was 12 hours of straight uninterrupted pandemonium.
I opened one eye about 9 Mon AM, said "No way" and the next thing I knew it was 10:30. On my way to the coffee machine I noticed for the first time the 4 days worth piles of dirty laundry, dishes, etc and was genuinely mystified how ALL THAT got there since I last noticed. Managed to get functional enough by late afternoon to get the house a little under control, get to excercise and pick up a few groceries.
When I had a kid living at home I worked shorter shifts. Don't know how I could do this with kids and school; kudos to all you who manage that!
I always have to roll my eyes a bit when I hear the "Wow, it would be great to work only 3 days/wk."
Oh, my husband used to say this to me all the time when I first started this career and it drove me up the wall! If I only had a dollar for every argument that started when he uttered the words "you didn't do ANYTHING today but sleep? Must be nice!" or "Geez, you only have to go in three days out of the week? Must be nice!" He got his you-know-what chewed into so many times until he finally caught on and quit saying those things to me.
Now, when dear old hubby comes home and I inform him that I did nothing, he just says "that's good, you needed the sleep!" Score!!!!!!
LOL.......SO good to hear of days off like mine! I just worked a 3-day weekend--
---Friday----day from HE*L!!! SEVEN students asking questions all day, FOUR admissions, ONE tech---my hosp. refuses to use agency now----yea, let's see how long THAT lasts! Clocked out at 9:30!!!
--Sat--usually a little laid back, but not THIS day! Clocked out 8:45!
--Sunday---hateful, rude families---OMG, a patient's grandaughter accusing me of not taking grandma's vitals often enough during her blood transfusion!!!! The family was basically blaming US for grma's hgB of 7 AND for her CHF!
Clocked out at 9:18.
So yea, my three "TWELVES" were actually FOURTEENS!!!
Monday I took a FIVE hour nap after a good night's sleep!
Tues-- couldn't resist a two hour nap, (after sleeping TWELVE) Hey, at least I managed to clean the kitchen and make a yummy dinner!
Today, my third day----I WANTED to go spend time w/ friends but just don't want to DRIVE anywhere! Still in my PJs at 2 pm! LOL!
PLUS, they've called me EVERY DAY to work! Yeaaaaaaaa, how long is this "we're not hiring agency anymore" gonna last?
Not only is nursing more physically and emotionally demanding than many jobs, the shift scheduling is very stressful. Let yourself take all the time you need to recover, without the guilt. (guilt will only make you more tired!) I would plan to stay in my pajamas all day with all your favorite comforting activities planned...join netflix and catch up on movies. read a book or just watch DIY or whatever TV shows you enjoy...make some hot chocolate, or whatever comfort and soothes you...take a long bubble bath...pamper yourself!!!
Agnus
2,719 Posts
Just came off my 2 days straight (ok so that is not so much compaired to many of you) It is now 8:30 pm I am still in my jammies from this a.m.