Finding time to have fun.

Originally posted by skybirdrising

As a nurse, do you find time to have fun outside of work? Or is it all you can do to find 'extra' time to have a little R&R? Do you get called in on time off? What about taking a vaction?

Does nursing end up to become a boring hum drum job after you have 'mastered' the trade? Do you get tired of the same co-workers and the same BS policies, etc...?

What would your ideal job be?

I always find time for R&R because it is very important to one's mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well being to do so. All work and no play does indeed make one a dull person...no fun to be around. :)

I have never been called in to work on my time off the entire time I've been a nurse (17 years). If they did call me to come in on my time off, I would say "No!" One has "time off" for a reason, and it isn't to be bombarded or monopolized by one's employer.

Nursing in and of itself has never become a "bore" to me. I love patient care and knowing that I can contribute to mankind by being a healthcare giver.

As far as the coworkers go: I think it's great to be able to work with the same people AS LONG AS those we work with are an upbeat positive hardworking group of coworkers. If they are not...it can make one's worklife a living hell.

There are MANY "BS policies" to contend with. Sometimes I wonder why people spend thousands of dollars to get an education only to use it in ways that make employees lives miserable. To those who make "BS policies" I say.....get a life cause the one they are working on is giving us nurses migraines.

If nursing is what you want to be, go for it. Realize from the get go that it IS hard work. It's not for the weak at heart, or those who are afraid to get knee deep in the shick of it all. It is a very taxing profession as well as a very rewarding profession. If you are not afraid of hard work, roll up your sleeves and get started, and I wish you well in your pursuit of becoming a nurse.

In school, our intructors said "Be a nurse, but don't let nursing be you." I remember that. You can't wait for 'others' to give you things. If you need a break at work (or after), you have to take it. Waiting for someone to give it to you will result in a long wait.

I guess it's all in attitude.

Sometimes I guess though it gets boring or too much. That's what I like about nursing though, you can switch to something else relatively easily. I've worked three different units within the same hospital.

I leave the BS and politics alone. Don't have time for that.

I believe in vacations. I believe in leaving work at work and enjoying my family and friends, a good book, and taking care of myself.