Genevieve RN

Oh you have the right idea. You might need to make it 10 days. My husband and I just booked a trip to the Bahamas for February. Just the thought of this week long trip will get me through the busy winter. We just love to sit on the beach alllll day and stare at the water. Get some sun. Have a few drinks. Go out for dinner. Oh, it is heaven. I bring my books and magazines and just sit back. My husband and I have a lot of happy, quality time together without the worries of everyday life. We are also planning a cruise in June sometime. Another love, just watching the ocean from the deck of a ship. Perhaps you will like that? Bermuda is just gorgeous. Have a wonderful trip, enjoy yourself.

We have to call at least two hours before the shift, although I always give them more time. I just call staffing, give my name, title and unit and say I am calling in sick for day shift. End of story. It's no one's business what is wrong with me.

I picked up this book in Barnes and Noble the other day after reading about it here. I was visiting my parents, but started to read it right away. Some parts are making me angry, some parts are making me despair. I had to put it down. I'm home now, and on vacation this week. I think I will lounge in bed late tomorrow, drink coffee and read this book. I need to be alone to concentrate on it fully.

I make a big delicious salad with all kinds of stuff (tuna or chicken or mozzarella for protein, avocado, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, tomatoes. EVeryone admires my salads. I bring a piece of pita/wheat bread whatever too. Or, leftover dinner. Anything you make is good for lunch (pasta and meatballs, meatloaf, chili, chicken and rice) Soups are great. Fruit, cheese, nuts, veggies are all good for snacks in between.

What a nice post.

I am frequently in charge with a full assignment. (I work Peds we get 6-7 pts. max). I'm also precepting a student extern this summer and usually have to be in charge and have the student too (weekends). Finally, on Saturday I spoke to the Nurse Leader (who is usually in charge, no assignment) and asked her to assign another nurse charge as I am busy with patients and the student. She did assign the other nurse. Just because I am senior nurse on the weekend doesn't mean I have to be charge all the time. It's too stressful managing the whole unit, a whole pt. assignment and watch a student too. Dealing with staffing issues, problems with families etc., please. I'm exhausted.

What exactly WERE the female doc's take on us?

Very interesting posts............thank you very much for sharing. G.

I was a secretary until I graduated nursing school. I also took a paralegal course while a nurse and got a certificate. I've worked as a Nurse Paralegal/Consultant too. My dream is to own a bookstore, though. I know I would love that. I don't know if I will ever be able to realize this dream, but we'll see. I've thought about getting into publishing. I love books, reading and research. I've thought about going back to school for teaching. Teaching is something I can do in the second half of my life too. I might do some nurse consulting on my own, or temp in different lawfirms too. I can't see myself working the floors too much longer. I'm turning 39 this year and I feel tired all the time. Part time/perdiem hospital and doing other things might be the way for me to go.

{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}} You need to speak with a therapist right away. You might consider taking a leave of absence for a few months and just do fun happy things. It will help, trust me. I also worked PICU for three years and had to leave due to unrelenting stress. I worked in a law firm form 10 months. I took 8 weeks off and went back to the hospital working General Pediatrics. I just had to work with kids who were walking/talking etc. I could not take the intubated, etc. patients anymore. Working somewhere different and then taking time off just for me helped me feel so much better. Best of luck to you

have you ever left nursing for something totally different? --------------------------------------------------------------------------Re-post from Career board: Has anyone ever left nursing for something totally different? I'm interested in seeing what people leave nursing to do. It doesn't even have to be you, it could be a colleague etc. Sometimes the stress of nursing gets to be too much and we just need something "easier" to do. Or, sometimes we pick another "profession" I confess, sometimes I want to go back to being a secretary or admin. assistant. 9-5. Do my work and go home. Is that weird? Any stories to share?

Has anyone ever left nursing for something totally different? I'm interested in seeing what people leave nursing to do. It doesn't even have to be you, it could be a colleague etc. Sometimes the stress of nursing gets to be too much and we just need something "easier" to do. Or, sometimes we pick another "profession" I confess, sometimes I want to go back to being a secretary or admin. assistant. 9-5. Do my work and go home. Is that weird? Any stories to share?

wow that was interesting. My number one was radiology. lol. I'm in Peds and Peds was listed 34th. uhoh

Wow, I just read all of these stories and I am shocked. geez. I have caller i.d. I always have my machine pick up when the work number comes on. If I speak to them, they just beg and it's annoying. If it's my boss, or a friend from work I just call back. Gives me a minute to collect my thoughts anyway. Caller I.D. is a godsend.