Dogs and Nurses

Published

I was wondering if how many of you on here have dogs? I start nursing school in the Fall, and I am going to get a dog in May. I have wanted a dog since I was young, but could never have one because my family was too busy with sports, and other activities. So now I am getting myself a dog for completing my first BS degree. Also I want to get through the early puppy stage(1-2 yrs) while in school, since I have plenty of time.

For those of you who have dogs, how do they do while you are at work. I was wondering how they do with 12 hour shifts. I am single, right now, you never know what will be in 2 years. But I was just wanting any input on dog-owners.

Doggie daycare is fantastic! Before my puppy's surgery, she used to go to doggie daycare once or twice a week. She LOVES it! The dogs have such a blast, and the place I take my dog has constant live video of the dogs playing so you can go online at home and watch them play! It's addicting, haha. My dog is really looking forward to when she is completely recovered in 5 more weeks and she can go back to day care!
hehe, the webcam is a wonderful idea! yeah, I always was kind of amazed that we had one staff member who was paid to do nothing but play with dogs all day! best job ever...haha. my first expereinces cleaning up bodily fluids and giving insulin were at the daycare, too. at first I was like "who has money to send their DOG to daycare?" but I really think it's a wonderful thing. if I ever get tired of working with people I'll totally go back to dogs. only job I know where I could be peed on all day and be calm and happy all the time. we had one dog (a mixed-breed named "Luna") who loved to just gently hold things in her mouth. when I was stressed I used to go back and stick my finger in her run and let her hold it in her mouth. haha, you develop breed stereotypes really quick in that business. I swear golden retreivers are like Bodhisattvas or something. Jack Russel Terriers who are scared and away from home quickly become Jack Russel Terrorists. only dog I ever saw dangle by its teeth from somebody's arm...haha. of course, I worked with dobermans, rotweilers, pit-bulls, great danes, mastiffs, bulldogs...only dog that ever attacked me? a Daschund! my favorites were the great danes...we had one named Sadie who would just sit down next to you, look up at you with big sad eyes, and then lean on your leg...she was over 100lbs, so you had to brace yourself...sweetest dog ever, though! I'd love to work in some kind of psych facility that let you bring (well-trained) dogs to work. I know some LTC facilities do that, right?
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am definately NOT going to buy from a pet store, I will not support puppy mills. I want to adopt from my local humane shelter. I guess where I get the "I will have time", is that I have plenty of time now right now. I work part-time and go to school full-time, I am finishing up my bachelors degre this May. So I am used to being busy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Athena,

I have a few breeds in mind, but they all are pretty high energy. I love Boxers, Labs, and Brittanys, but am open to any dog. But I am looking for a medium to large size breed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

I have two small dogs. They are paper trained and handle the 12 hour shifts pretty well.

Dogs are definitely a committment in time, energy and money. Just be sure to give lots of love and attention when you can.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma.

I did not have a dog through nursing school, but I had one through my prerequisites. I got myself another boxer puppy this past September and started working in December of 2008. I am single and I work 12 hour shifts. My furbaby goes into daycare while I'm at work; he loooves it! It's about $35 per day which can be a bit pricey, but he needs it, being a boxer!!

Good luck, it is doable:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psychiatric, rehab.

I crate trained a puppy while in school and then adopted another dog that was about 2 years old who also happened to have a lovely case of giardia when I got him. I managed to get through both without too much mayhap, though it is better if you have access to a yard.

I second looking at an older dog for adoption, but in truth look for a calm and quiet dog that will be ok spending lots of time alone.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MS, ED.

Great suggestions everyone for rescue, adoption and petfinder! :yeah:

I've always had dogs since I was a young kid; a few years ago, I found myself dogless after losing my baby (8 year old rottie, dearly loved.) Through a fellow rescue, I adopted a female pit mix last year who had run out of time at the shelter and badly needed some rehabilitation and TLC. Despite the difficulties, she's come an incredibly long way and is the family lovebug. Couldn't imagine life without her, really.

I work two different shifts: either 3-11 or 11-7 (overnight). If I'm working during the day, I'll bring her to the daycare nearest to the hospital. DH will pick her up and bring her home when he gets out of work. If I'm working overnight, she stays home with DH. I try to figure her into our schedules and make sure she gets enough time with us and plenty of activity.

On that note: I'd strongly suggest finding a way to stop home for lunch, have a dog walker come by, or consider daycare. Dogs are social creatures and I'm not sure it's fair to expect one to spend the balance of his time alone.

Best,

Southern

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would love to get a puppy! My preference is a Bichon Frise or a Westie. Anyone had either of those dogs?

Most likely I won't get it until after I finish school because I would hate to buy a dog and then find out I am too busy for him. Also possible vet bills are another deterrent.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hmmm

Inside or outside dog?

Big, medium or little?

City or country?

Private back yard or public park for walks and outside play?

I have two dogs one is an outside dog (Shetland or some might say miniature collie, 15 years old) and inside dog (Yorkshire, 3 years old).

We live out in the country. My Shetland has a large fenced in backyard to roam around in but at 15 years her roaming in kind of slow). The Yorkshire has the roam of most of he house when we are at work and she has more toys than most toddlers. Even though both of my dogs are pure breeds they both came from friends. Any extended time away the "grandparents" babysit.

You took a good first step you asked. Do your research, ask friends who have pets. Once you adopt your new family member you might want to consider obedience training...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, general peds.

I have two miniature dachshunds. They are both litter box trained. I never have to let them outside, which is good because if there is snow on the ground, they refuse to go out anyway. They might be a little spoiled.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, ICU.

I currently have two dogs, a golden retriever and a golden retriever mix. I got the mix while I was in nursing school. I was living with my boyfriend at the time so there were two of us to take care of him. On days when he was at work and I was at school I took the puppy to my mom's so that he would be able to develop a good potty routine. Puppies are a lot of work.

When I got the second dog I already owned my own home and was working as a nurse already 8 hour night shifts. She was a rescue and was over a year old, but not potty trained or trained at all for that matter. She was still a lot of work. However either my husband or I were here almost all the time and she was crate trained. I highly recommend crate training.

I have also worked 12 hour shifts and so does my husband. Then I made arrangements with either my sisters or a neighbor to let the dogs out at about 9:00 PM so they would not have to hold it.

I know that you said that you don't know what two years will bring, but keep in mind that if you get a dog it will have to be included in your plans. When I got the first dog I knew that it was possible that I wouldn't be able to rent, but I would never go anywhere without him. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Inside or outside dog?

Big, medium or little?

City or country?

Private back yard or public park for walks and outside play?

I have a fenced in yard. I live in the suburbs, definitely not city. The dog will be an inside dog, but will have the option to be outside for playtime. I really love Labs, Boxers, and Brittanys.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion