Did you make friends in your work place? I mean friends you go out with and stuff

[Bala Shark]

Hi, I am a new graduate and I am going to take my NCLEX several weeks from now...At school, I made a couple of friends that I went out with..I was wondering in the working enviornment did you make any friends..I am not talking about very distant friends that you do not spend time after work with each other..I know sometimes a working enviornment can be just from 8 hours and you are glad you are going home and that is it..

[LuvMyGamecocks]

Not a nurse yet, but I have made some very special friends at the dental lab I manage, to include my boss. He's actually one of the biggest supporters of my return to school!! I used to think it was because he wanted to get rid of me, but he says I've got way more potential that would be wasted working with dentures. I can't imagine not keeping in touch with these people when I get my RN license.

Having said that...I, too, attempt to separate work like and home life. That way, the inevitable "drama" doesn't come into play at both places.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It's harder to bond between cohorts/generations and it's hard to get together with people who have to run home to their kids.

I am a single, young adult (age 25) without any children, yet I seem to have an easier time bonding with middle-aged people. It's probably due to the fact that I don't do the things that many other young adults do: party, socialize, date, club-hopping, bar-hopping, etc.

I've already accomplished the things that many middle-aged people have not: homeownership, good job, investments, etc.

[Dorito, ASN, RN]

I have met and stayed good friends with many of the nurses I've worked with over the years. One nurse and I were roomates and she eventually became my Supervisor. Another nurse I met at work eventually moved away but we've been close friends for over 25 years. I think becoming friends with your co-workers is great- sometimes knowing what your friends may be going through on a personal basis really brings the Teamwork together. Also, trusting the person you are working with- you know their strengths as well as their weaknesses. I'm sure you'll make lots of great friends as you start your nursing journey. Good luck!

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

Typically I try to keep my work environment and home environment totally separate when it comes to my off time especially! However, being in a teamwork enviroment...well, that went to heck in a handbasket fast! LOL!

I worked in a few jobs before I worked in a ALF for 4 years. I tried so hard not to get attached to staff or pts on a personal friendly basis...I was a supervisor, and a nurse for pts...that border between friendship and professionalism had to be upheld...those jobs I didn't engage in friendships!

However the ALF..after about a year I couldn't help it! Not residents, but staff! I have four friends I made that have stuck with my job change, come to my home frequently, we go out...we have fun, let our kids play together..the works! I can easily see them as friends for life! Our personalities clicked, friendship ensued, and I wouldn't change that for the world!

In nursing school I met a great gal who to this day is my best friend!

As far as my job now...still can't help it! I work with such great people, and we invite eachother over for parties or what not all the time! We are a close team, we get along wonderfully...why not?!?! It was ackward at first getting to know people outside of work...but for us...CLICK! All is great and getting better!

So yes you can, even in my case where I really tried just to be a friendly sort but professional and a home/work separatist..LOL! I do, however, choose who I spend my off time with carefully!!! Never know what may come back to work...I have to really really trust them!

[banditrn]

I've had a lot of workplace friends, but none that I've remained very close with outside of work.

A few years ago I got especially close to a younger nurse - she was a stinker with men and I knew it, but it didn't mean much to me - until she turned her attentions on my son, who was also a nurse in the same hospital. Destroyed our friendship!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I let nature takes it's course. I don't go to work to make friends, but I'm a positive and friendly person and if I make a friend or two, I consider it a blessing.

I've got a friend who no longer works there but we are still friends. We shared an interest in music and have gone to concerts together that otherwise I would not have gone to.

Currently, I'm not friends outside of work with anyone. Many of the younger people I work with hang out together, and so far there hasn't been any drama with that cliques and favoritism, but it could happen.

Recently another male nurse whom is the same age as me, and we have a lot in common mentioned "we should get together, I'd like you to see the work I've done on the house and meet my partner", but nothing has become of that.

[V. Nightingale]

I've worked in places where none of us got together after work, I've been in places where a group would go out, and one of the nurses at my job now has becomse one of my best friends. We get together every few weeks on a day off and shop or go swimming or have lunch -- in fact, we took my son to the zoo this morning and had a great time. A lot of it depends on individuals and it also depends on the 'culture' of the unit. I like having good friends at work; it makes the shift easier to handle!

[LydiaNN]

When I was young and single, yes, I made friends at work that I spent time with outside of work. Where I work now, no. The one woman there that I honestly consider my friend lives on the other side of the County and owns a boutique that she devotes most of her nonworking hours to. The rest of her time is spent with her children and grandchildren. I work full time and edit a newsletter. All my other time goes to my family.

[SoundofMusic]

and it's hard to get together with people who have to run home to their kids.

Well, let me advise you on this -- if you would relaly like to be friends with a "mom" type like this, just GO with her when she runs home to her kids . ...I mean -- just because she has kids doesn't mean she can't be a friend to you. Go see her kids, see her home, her family. You don't have to hang out 24/7, but you certainly can stop in and chat w/ her kids around. It's ok to do that!

I say this as a mom, because people often assume you are always busy -- but sometimes you aren't and would give anything for someone to stop by for coffee or just some girl talk or whatever. Or, call us on the phone -- we'll chat while we pick up kids' clothes, laundry all over the house! Sometimes the moms get very lonely as family takes up so much time. You miss the old girlfriend days, believe me, at times.