Do nurses have it all?

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I am still young and though i'm not a nurse yet, I still want to have fun. Do nurses get to party and have real fun like everyone else. I know this question seems silly but with so much talk about how nurses don't have time for anything but work this question has been nagging me. What if you want to start a family around the same time you start your career? What about have a newborn child and a husband who wants you home? Is it easier to have children before I get into nursing so that when i'm done they'll be school age and then I don't have to deal with that? I'm sorry for the long post but I was just wondering about this for a while.:idea:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Psych..

When I went to nursing school I was a single mom with two young children. It was hard because when I used to do my home work they used hang around me and ask me for this and that, not to mention I also had to work part time, arrange for a trusting babysitter so on.

So I think you should think about having a family after you finish school and get a solid employment.

In regards to party and fun.....yes we do have time to party some times, usually on my days off, my husband and I usually take our 4 children out for a family day out. Or if we want to invite friends over we invite them on our days off.....after a while you seem to learn how to schedule your time around your career....

Good luck;)

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Specializes in acute care.

I have some friends who are nurses, and yes, they do have lives...they work 3 days a week and have 4 days to do as they please...

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Many of us work 3 12-hour shifts and have 4 days a week off. Of course we have a life and time for a life outside nursing.

Nursing and life is what you make it. If you want to work overtime for the money, you work overtime. If you want to have fun, you have fun.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I'm 23 and I have a husband, a 6 y.o., and a full time job as an RN and I still have tons of fun :) My family doesn't like when I work 4-5 12's in a row cause they hardly see me, but the 5-6 days off after/before that more than make up for it! I wouldn't work m-f 9-5

I'm having more fun now than before I was a nurse cause I actually have $! ^_^

I would suggest that you wait to have kids til after Nursing school, cause it can be rough, even with a SO at home to "help".

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

This is my second day of a four dayer and I am ever so happy not to be at work! Now, don't get me wrong, I love to do nursing, however having time to chill, time to be with beloved family, time to enjoy my fresh cup of jove and be on this board with you all...yeah! Life is sweet and one big Party! And when it's my day off I don't dwell on nursing most of the time! Cheers to you and your aspirations to become an RN! Good luck and party on!

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Specializes in Trauma ICU,ER,ACLS/BLS instructor.

Nurses and medical people can party like no one else. They party as hard as they work! Of course this changes with life,families,children,etc,,,,

I have always enjoyed my life and career. Sure there have been hard times in between, but everyone has that. You will be fine. Do not anticipate a problem. A career in nursing ,a single's life, a family life, and life after children, is all possible!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I really enjoy this thread, keep the comments coming please!

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Specializes in SICU, MICU, CICU, NeuroICU.
Many of us work 3 12-hour shifts and have 4 days a week off. Of course we have a life and time for a life outside nursing.

Nursing and life is what you make it. If you want to work overtime for the money, you work overtime. If you want to have fun, you have fun.

Well put Tweety

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I would recommend going to nursing school and starting your career before having kids. Then when they come along you have the chance to work per diem or have experience required for "business hours" positions, or seniority for the shifts you prefer.

Fun is what you make of it.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho, Tele, ICU, Hospice.

this part worries me.

party and have real fun like everyone else

You'll certainly still have time and money, and it's up to you whether to spend it building a family or having a good time - and both of these are legitimate choices. However, in my experience, I've been drug tested often enough to rule out having any 'real fun like everyone else'.. and nobody on this board is gonna tell you that working exhausted or with a hangover is any fun... at all.

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Specializes in LTC, office.

Nobody has fun like a group of nurses! On the rare occasions my coworkers and I get to all go out for dinner we are the noisy table at any restaurant. :D

But yes, nurses have days off and free time like anyone. What you chose to spend doing at that time is up to you.

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