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

Otessa, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2009

Caller ID

How true!! My husband got used to looking to make sure it wasn't the hospital before he picked up---unless I wanted to pick up an extra shift.

otessa

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Jul 29, 2009

My job has my cell number, not my home number, for a reason.

Having a life outside work can be hard when you work evenings. I'm usually not awake before noon. I ride my bike, go shopping, clean the house, and try to meet people in my down time. I also keep my cell phone off.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Jul 29, 2009

Don't forget to go to a mandatory inservice. Because then you'll have to come in on your day off to make it up, instead of going to the beach like you wanted to! :vlin: :grn:

neonatal_nurse · Jul 29, 2009

Thanks guys!!! :)

Good to know we're on the same boat. Haha.

I agree with the Caller ID and turning off of cellphone, but sadly, I can't really turn mine off due to other important people who might call.

But what about colleagues who constantly ask for a change of schedule? And it's not even an emergency. I find it hard to say no especially my senior colleagues who give me no other choice but agree.

chicookie, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2009

Learn to say no.

It was hard because you want to come off as a team player but then I had it happen when I really needed someone to help me with my schedule and NO ONE stepped forward. I love them all but I am not bending over backwards for no one anymore. Forget it. Selfish maybe. But I have a life!

Plus I make plans when I am not tired of course. Then I feel obligated to go because I made them. For me the hard part is leaving the house. Once I am out though I generally have a good time.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2009

One of the hardest things for me to learn over the years was to say "No". Once you start saying No it becomes easier. Also in not saying no people tend to take advantage of it and continue to come to you knowing you will say yes.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 31, 2009

Caller ID

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.

I find that I really don't want to be bothered with too many people during my down time since I became a nurse, so, caller ID is a God-send. I don't like visiting people and at times, I find myself to be so irritable that even traveling to get to work or places I want to go is a challenge because I have to encounter and tolerate folks just to get there. I am better with reading, internet, watching my favorite shows and am a chatterbox on the telephone (because I can just hang up when I'm tired). I am trying to find that balance, but it's hard right now.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 31, 2009

Thanks guys!!! :)
Good to know we're on the same boat. Haha.
I agree with the Caller ID and turning off of cellphone, but sadly, I can't really turn mine off due to other important people who might call.
But what about colleagues who constantly ask for a change of schedule? And it's not even an emergency. I find it hard to say no especially my senior colleagues who give me no other choice but agree.

Learn to say no.
It was hard because you want to come off as a team player but then I had it happen when I really needed someone to help me with my schedule and NO ONE stepped forward. I love them all but I am not bending over backwards for no one anymore. Forget it. Selfish maybe. But I have a life!
Plus I make plans when I am not tired of course. Then I feel obligated to go because I made them. For me the hard part is leaving the house. Once I am out though I generally have a good time.

One of the hardest things for me to learn over the years was to say "No". Once you start saying No it becomes easier. Also in not saying no people tend to take advantage of it and continue to come to you knowing you will say yes.

I learned to say 'no' early in the game. In fact, I NEVER ask anyone to switch with me because I know myself...when the chips fall down, I am not in the mood to do the shift I agreed with, or am compromised by this person because they did me a favor. People have asked me sometimes to switch a shift in my clinic and I only say 'yes' if it works for me. I hate to say this, but I honestly feel that if a task or situation is THAT important and it looks impossible to ask for the day off, I call in sick rather than ask someone else. I don't want to be beholdened to anyone.