High divorce rate among nurses? Why?

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My husband heard something on the radio about the top 10 jobs for divorce. Of course the obvious ones like entertainment industry folks were on the list, but nurses, especially psychiatric nurses were like number 8 of 10. Can this be true? Why? And if so, why psych more so than other fields?

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Would like to see the report. In general, the US has a high divorce rate, period.

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Throw in mandatory overtime when the spouse at home and is over-whelmed with kids or elderly live in parents, rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, not being allowed to use PTO when the kids are on summer vacation- Throw in a couple of young kids with a nurse who works a lot of extra, and the partner of the nurse gets left holding the bag a lot. Daycares usually aren't open for holidays and weekends, so the spouse gets kid duty. Especially since nurses can't just call off every time the kid(s) get sick- it puts extra onto the spouse. I can totally see how someone would feel they were being neglected emotionally and want to move on.

Somehow, I don't see the (presumably male) spouse getting "kid duty" as an unfair thing, at all. Kids have TWO parents, so TWO can do kid duty, even if one of them happens to be the father. :rolleyes: I'm not criticizing you. I am criticizing the Olde Order view that the children are the woman's job. I presume that the (presumably female) nurse takes her turn at "kid duty" when she is home, so what's wrong with the spouse having to do it when the nurse isn't there.

Regarding divorce rates: It may not be a bad thing. I know BSRNs who gross over $100,000 per year all by themselves, in an area where $125k to $160k buys a darned nice home. So, she (or he) doesn't need the spouse's income, and if it's an unsatisfactory marriage, having adequate cash flow sure isn't an impediment to filing for divorce.

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The statement that Psych nurses are crazy is pretty offensive. In a pretty long career, I have worked in various areas, including Psych. I, for one, am not crazy. Where does such a stereotype come from? Why perpetuate it here, in public? It's no wonder Nursing is in such turmoil.

Let's try to say good things about our profession. We certainly don't need any more criticism or detractors. Please?

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[quote=traumaRUs; very interesting

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Specializes in Plastics. General Surgery. ITU. Oncology.

Sung to the tune of D-i-V-O-R-C-E ;)

My marriage is 20 years old

As healthy as can be

But when I see my nursing friends

I make sure I don't talk S-H-O-P

'Cause talk of blood and guts and gore

Turns my husband right off

So that's why we are not getting a D-I-V-O-R-C-E

Talk of Code Browns, spit and wee stays with my friends and me

So all you nurses out there who want to keep your man

Keep work at work and on nurse talk place an immediate ban!

;)

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Specializes in Primary Care Nursing.

I'm not buying that a high divorce rate is associated with nursing. Maybe shift workers in general, but nursing? I'd like to see the proof.

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Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.
The statement that Psych nurses are crazy is pretty offensive. In a pretty long career, I have worked in various areas, including Psych. I, for one, am not crazy. Where does such a stereotype come from? Why perpetuate it here, in public? It's no wonder Nursing is in such turmoil.

Let's try to say good things about our profession. We certainly don't need any more criticism or detractors. Please?

Chill out, sweetie! It's all said in fun. Really! When we say psych nurses are a little crazy, we're not talking about the lock 'em up and cart 'em away type of crazy. I would say that honestly, being a psych RN, and knowing many other ones that work in different facilities, that we all have a bit of a warped sense of humor. Nothing wrong with that, and I certainly have no problem laughing at myself.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Probably it's all the steamy love affairs that go on in the hospital ;)

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Somehow, I don't see the (presumably male) spouse getting "kid duty" as an unfair thing, at all. Kids have TWO parents, so TWO can do kid duty, even if one of them happens to be the father. :rolleyes: I'm not criticizing you. I am criticizing the Olde Order view that the children are the woman's job. I presume that the (presumably female) nurse takes her turn at "kid duty" when she is home, so what's wrong with the spouse having to do it when the nurse isn't there.

I completely agree!!!!

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Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.
Probably it's all the steamy love affairs that go on in the hospital ;)

Yes, I'm sure that is it. :cool::lol2:

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Specializes in Primary Care Nursing.
Probably it's all the steamy love affairs that go on in the hospital ;)

You're watching far too much General Hospital!

;)

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
You're watching far too much General Hospital!

;)

Never seen an episode, does Grey's Anatomy count :p My husband is under the impression this is what goes on.:rolleyes:

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