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?

Specializes in Home Care Mgmt, Med-Surg.

My thoughts on this:

a. I would like some of her energy

b. I would like a job I like going to (but only on my scheduled shifts :cheeky:)

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I work with a nurse like this. She's just shy of 60 years old and recently celebrated her 40 year anniversary at work. Her energy and vitality is contagious. I love when I'm assigned to work with her, she has taught me so much. She claims she's working so many hours because she's putting a lot into her retirement account and getting generous matching contributions from our employer after 40 years of service to the company, and she's excited to retire and travel. Or she's just high. :sarcastic:

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
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

But working a lot, by itself, doesn't imply a drug addiction. It's true that some people with a drug addiction work a lot, but not true that all people who work a lot have a drug addiction. Like a fever, as a single sign it's very non-specific.

I knew a nurse who paid cash for her son's medical school by working all the time. She was a wonderful Vietnamese woman who said her worst day as a nurse was easier than the best day working on her parent's farm in Vietnam as a kid.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
But working a lot, by itself, doesn't imply a drug addiction. It's true that some people with a drug addiction work a lot, but not true that all people who work a lot have a drug addiction.

Can you make a Venn diagram for that?

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

As an almost sixty year old, I can say that I no longer spend my energy on kids' needs and schedules. They're for the most part gone.

All that energy I get to spend on what I want.

I work extra for the retirement I someday hope to enjoy.

Don't underestimate the draining effect of kids, their cost, and their drama. Without that I feel 20 years younger.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
Can you make a Venn diagram for that?

My first draft of that post included the word syllogism, and I'm glad someone noticed. :)

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Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.

I'd say this nurse has a great work ethic that many people don't have these days. I only wish I worked with at least 2 people like her. Unless this nurse is coming to work ill and spreading germs everywhere, or anything else that puts staff at risk...why be concerned? There is so much more to complain about when it comes to coworkers, I just don't see this as one of them.

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My grandparents used to go dancing 3 nights per week in their 80s. Some people just have a vitality that we who would prefer to chill out just have a hard time understanding.

It's an inborn thing, I'm sure of it.

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Reading these posts just reinforces my opinion of a lot of nurses. High and mighty and judgemental.I am 63 and even though I am pretty energetic, I do NOT feel like the freaking new 40! This is a plot to make people work until the day they die and feel inferior if they feel their age. Give me a break. I'm tired!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
My first draft of that post included the word syllogism, and I'm glad someone noticed. :)

Bravo, good sir!

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Specializes in Oncology.

Everyone is jumping all over OP (typical), but the truth is that yes, she could be manic. She could be on drugs. Mental illness and addiction is a lot more prevalent than we think. Maybe she's sober and healthy. We just don't know. I don't blame OP for wondering. I'd wonder too.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

What is the respective likelihood of the person in the OP being manic, vs. a drug addict, vs. a thief?

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