Survey: How do you get a life outside of work?

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Specializes in NICU, Nursery.

Just curious: How do you guys manage your time outside the hospital? If your married with kids or if your single, how do you make time for others (and yourself) inspite of the exhausting hours, stress and pressure of everyday work? When at the end of the day, you really just want to lie in bed annd sleep?

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Well ... All of us in the ER are on 12hr shift patterns. So, the night before our work week starts, there is a group of about 6 of us, we all take turns doing, "dinner & a movie"

Each week its someones turn to either cook, or order pizza / chinese, whatever, and pick a movie. We all meet at their place, eat, have a few glasses of wine, and watch a movie, then play cards, or games till all hours of the am. Then sleep the day away, and meet for night shift.

I can imagine it could be a little hard for regular shifters, we're on a compressed 3x a week, so its a little easier for us.

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Caller ID

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Specializes in NICU.

I work 3 12s and I do them all in a row. During that 3 day stretch all I really do is work/sleep/eat.

But then I have 4 days off that are ALL MINE! :D I really make the most out of those 4 days .... catch up with family/friends, housework, TV, and all the other fun stuff I like to do. I live for those 4 days off!

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I work two jobs...and planning for a wedding next year...but I find solace in doing a few projects here and there...working on things, reading, cleaning the house, cooking, watching tv, finding tv shows online that I like but haven't been able to follow, etc.

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Specializes in NICU.

Work is just a part of my life. I wish I had those extra hours each week for personal use, but I also like not defaulting on my mortgage and eating...

I Tivo TV, not watching commercials saves a LOT of time :). I've also chosen to let some things go; it's more important to me to play with my kids than to scrub my kitchen floor a couple of times a week. I also delegate chores--the hard part is not wanting to follow my kids to "do it right", but it's something I can live with.

On work days (12 hour shifts) I am pretty beat when I get home; a bowl of cereal, a book and bed are about all I'm up for. But, if I'm able to get enough rest during that time (I usually do my shifts in a row), then I'm ready for my four days of home time :yelclap:. I can't imagine working five days a week; that would do me in, I think.

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The TV stays off at our house unless it is a sick day.

It is amazing how much you can get done when you free up those several hours a week.

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Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

One thing I tell my peers is being a nurse is a job not a life, you are a person and you are a nurse for 12 hours a day.

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Specializes in jack of all trades.
Caller ID

Well said!!! :yeah: I learned the hard way after almost 30 years in nursing that a job needs to be a "part" of your life and not "become your life". Been there and done that!!! I cherish my time off and like the previous poster stated - CALLER ID!!!

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It's not that bad! Docs here work 8 days in a row, or else their shifts may be longer than 12 hours. All I do is my 3 12s, and the rest of the time is mine.

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i just lie in bed and sleep.

catching up mostly consists of online or phone communications.

i have no life!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

you have to make a conscious decision to leave work at work.

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