How do you deal with working weekends?

[jensfbay]

As a young, unmarried nurse, I am very much bothered by the fact that I have to work weekends. I know that some people even prefer working weekends, but I despise working weekends. That has got to be the thing that I HATE the most about being a nurse. It's not that I like the weekends to go out and party all night. I just want to go out and play with my friends who do have 9-5 M-F work schedule. They go and ski in the winter and go camping/hiking in spring/summer. I miss out on it a lot. I know it's only every other weekend, but it's still a hell of a lot. I'm about to finish a training program in ICU and already wanting to go per diem because of mandatory every other weekend on as a regular staff nurse. I'm actually considering leaving nursing or even getting my NP for the sole purpose of having a regular M-F 9-5 schedule like my friends and family I just want to know how you deal with such a schedule?

[danissa, LPN, LVN]

Theres always the extra money to look forward to!!! In November and December, I worked EVERY weekend on, my pay was fab, but I moaned a bit. Now, for January/February, I have NO weekends on, unless I work extras, which I will if I have the chance. A happy medium would be nice!