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 M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
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.

By why would it matter if she's manic as long as she's doing her job? As someone with mental illness that sounds really offensive.

We could use more details before coming to any solid conclusions.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Wow, seriously. That's your question, "is something wrong with her?" Maybe her work ethic is just more than you or anyone else on your unit will ever dare to discover...

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?
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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
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?

As nurses, we don't diagnose. On behalf of your co-worker (you go, girl!), I accept your apology for practicing medicine without a license and for making false assumptions about a co-worker and publishing them in a public forum.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I've worked with nurses like the one in the OP, and I'm totally envious. I've NEVER had that kind of energy, unless I was manic (and yes I do have a diagnosis). I say more power to her!

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So energy + good work ethic = brain malfunction? As someone with ADD, I can tell you that feeling energetic and focused at work is not the problem.

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Specializes in Occ. Hlth, Education, ICU, Med-Surg.
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?

Hmmm....here's a possible post from your co-worker :sarcastic:

I have a colleague that's younger than me (I'm in my 60's). She doesn't have a lot of energy, doesn't love to work, and wants to take off as many days as she can. I asked her why she can't get motivated and she jokingly laughed and then fell asleep at her desk....again. She's not active, can't make it through 12 hours without falling asleep on her feet. I'm never tired at the end of my shift. Is there something wrong with her? Is she depressed or just lazy?

Morale of the story...there's two sides to every coin :yes:

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
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.

Being able to work seven days a week and being in a good mood isn't evidence of mania. Period. Not sleeping for three days in a row, or sleeping two hours a night and not feeling tired could be. Believing you have millions of dollars that you don't have. Believing you're the president. Pressured speech. Engaging in dangerous behavior with regard for consequences. None of those are in the description.

So, while as a psych nurse I appreciate that you recognize the prevalence of mental illness, it doesn't help to start accusing everyone who acts different from us of having an illness.

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Specializes in Pediatric.
Being able to work seven days a week and being in a good mood isn't evidence of mania. Period. Not sleeping for three days in a row, or sleeping two hours a night and not feeling tired could be. Believing you have millions of dollars that you don't have. Believing you're the president. Pressured speech. Engaging in dangerous behavior with regard for consequences. None of those are in the description.

So, while as a psych nurse I appreciate that you recognize the prevalence of mental illness, it doesn't help to start accusing everyone who acts different from us of having an illness.

One of the best and most rational posts in this thread so far.

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Specializes in Pediatric.
As nurses, we don't diagnose. On behalf of your co-worker (you go, girl!), I accept your apology for practicing medicine without a license and for making false assumptions about a co-worker and publishing them in a public forum.

My second favorite post in this thread.

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Could almost be me.

50, love my work, youngest almost grown, healthy, geographically isolated, house and yardwork don't becken.

I have a strong work ethic but that isn't what keeps me drawn in. I just have a passion for it and I actually prefer it over my other hobby. Pays better as well!

I haven't watched a clock in years, usually it's more of where did the day go? And can't I stay a little longer before facing chores..

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
One of the best and most rational posts in this thread so far.

Aww, you didn't even hold it against me that auto correct wrote with instead of without regard. :)

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I am soo jealous! wish I had that kind of get up and go!

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