colleague does not want to take day off

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I worked with a colleague who is in her 60's who seems has a lot of energy. She said she loves to work and would not want to take days off if she could. I asked her what makes her motivated to work everyday. She said jokingly if you see your bills that gets you kicked out of bed. She is hyperactive at work and she could work 12 hours all week without taking days off. I can get exhausted at the end of the day just like everybody else and working long hours is not my cup of tea. Is there something wrong with her? Is that an indication that she may be manic or ADD?

That's pretty ageist sweetheart ! My dad is 80, works full time at his construction co., plays in two tennis leagues and goes out to listen to jazz three nights a week and meets out with friends or goes to dinner with my mom the other four. He is not manic or ADD, just has a lot of energy ! Oh, and he smokes a bit of pot every night, maybe THAT'S their secret ;).

My hero! (Minus the pot...)

I want to grow old like that or die young.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

I bike to work, may do multiple workouts on a day, and like to go out to socialize after work. Does that make manic? No it just means

I like being active, nurse a healthy caffeine addiction, and NOT manic.

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I worked with a colleague who is in her 60's who seems has a lot of energy. She said she loves to work and would not want to take days off if she could. I asked her what makes her motivated to work everyday. She said jokingly if you see your bills that gets you kicked out of bed. She is hyperactive at work and she could work 12 hours all week without taking days off. I can get exhausted at the end of the day just like everybody else and working long hours is not my cup of tea. Is there something wrong with her? Is that an indication that she may be manic or ADD?

If she's manic because she has energy, that must mean you are depressed since you are run down at the end of the day. Right?

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She probably leads a very healthy life style and keeps her stress to a minimum. Instead of trying to figure out what is wrong with her, you should be inspired by her.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
It sounds like she doesn't have a life outside work to me...

Which is not a problem.

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Which is not a problem.

And may not even be true. In spite of his working hours, DH has so many friends, it's amazing to me how he finds the time to nourish those friendships, as well as his relationship with me and our kids. But he does. He's just not one to sit on the sofa and reflect, or watch a lot of tv or spend time on message boards. :) He doesn't waste a minute of his time, which is not my way, but it is how he stays happy.

People are different. I respect those differences.

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Why do you care??? Why is this a problem for you? Do you scrutinize all of your co-workers like this?

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As a 60 year old who could likely run circles around you OP, I assure you that one does not need to be mentally ill or have some type of condition to be energetic at work. The fact that you think so is offensively ageist. I have worked full time since age 16- including during my LPN, AAS, BSN, MSN and now doctoral programs. Hard work is good for you.

Love your response. No work ethic these days for the youngens

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If she doesn't want time off, I'd ask her to cover for me whenever I do.

😄ha ha

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Hate to be the Debbie Downer at this lovefest, but the number one thing that would get my attention if I were looking for missing meds or money would be the person who never takes time off. Happens all the time.

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Hate to be the Debbie Downer at this lovefest, but the number one thing that would get my attention if I were looking for missing meds or money would be the person who never takes time off. Happens all the time.
Who said anything about missing money or meds??
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Specializes in ER.
Who said anything about missing money or meds??

One of the cardinal signs of a diverting nurse is working constantly. 'Super Nurse' is part of the profile for a diverter.

See the article below.

Drug addiction among nurses: Confronting a quiet epidemic | Modern medicine

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