Has anyone ever taken an extended leave of absence from work? Lately, I've been contemplating taking a 4 week leave of absence from work.
I did go back for 3 weeks after COVID, but I'm not sure I did myself any favors. Any time I overexert myself, my bronchitis and angry pleural sac flare up. This last week, I worked 3 6 hour days, 2 12 hour days, did PT 2x, yoga on Saturday and Pure Barre on Sunday. Today, I spent an extensive amount of time sleeping. I also noticed that I've lost another 3 lbs, making for a 13 lb weight loss in 1 month, when I never needed to lose weight to begin with. It just seems like I'm not going to get any better until I slow down. I feel like 4 weeks with no work would give me time to exercise while resting when I want.
Has anyone else ever taken a long leave from work and has it helped?
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
22 hours ago, SilverBells said:
Well, I tried taking a day off due to having a sore throat and cough. Ended up at work because a family member scolded me, stating that I needed to get back to work, that I've rested enough and to stop feeling sorry for myself. They stated that I was never all that sick with COVID, even after being diagnosed with bronchitis and losing 13 lbs in 1 month. So, I went to work. Not because I felt like working, but to get away from this person's incessant shouting and scolding.
I think I misunderstood who you were taliking about here as I assumed it was ta family member of one of our patient's saying this, but if it's a member of your own family then it is suddenly clear why you drive yourself so hard. You are getting intense pressure from both within and out to perform. Ask youself if the family members who push this mindset are happy? I would bet they are not. Sure they may have many of the trappings of happiness, good cars, nice homes maybe an annual vacation to somewhere tropical. There is certainly the :Keeping up with the Jones" mindset as seen in your need to want a $450,000.00 home.
Take whatever time you need, go on FMLA and use every last hour of PTO you have (and you should have a bunch) Ask yourself, What would make SilverBells happy? Give yourself time to recover then find a regular nursing jop you can grow into. either 3 12's, 4 10's or 5 8 hours. Don't be lured by sallary offers which often look great on paper but require far more of you than many regular staff positions. Unless you have a ton of student loans work regular hours and find something out side of work to refresh your soul on a regular basis. Get yourself a small apartment where you don't have to deal with the intrusiveness of family.
I read somewhere that a person spends 3/4 of their life at work so hopefully you find something that has a purpose you can cling to.
While not Covid I am currently recovering from a health problem that has required 2 surgeries in the past 6 weeks. The normal course of recovery has not been too bad but I can tell you I have never been more tired in years. My doctor told me that the body requires a lot more energy to knit itself back together and to be patient with myself.
So please be patient with yourself and get well. remeber there are no headstones that say "Wished she'd spent more time at work."
Nothing changes if nothing changes, so if you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’ll keep getting what you’ve been getting. This goes for personal and professional life.
Do you live with your parents? Why would anyone smack you? Maybe time to live on your own.
Yes, I do. As for the second question, let's just say they both have anger management issues. I've been actively looking for a place as my current living arrangement has become toxic.
Well, I tried taking a day off due to having a sore throat and cough. Ended up at work because a family member scolded me, stating that I needed to get back to work, that I've rested enough and to stop feeling sorry for myself. They stated that I was never all that sick with COVID, even after being diagnosed with bronchitis and losing 13 lbs in 1 month. So, I went to work. Not because I felt like working, but to get away from this person's incessant shouting and scolding.
Wow. You need some boundaries. A few weeks off isn’t going to solve that problem.
hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I
4 Articles; 5,212 Posts
I think I misunderstood who you were taliking about here as I assumed it was ta family member of one of our patient's saying this, but if it's a member of your own family then it is suddenly clear why you drive yourself so hard. You are getting intense pressure from both within and out to perform. Ask youself if the family members who push this mindset are happy? I would bet they are not. Sure they may have many of the trappings of happiness, good cars, nice homes maybe an annual vacation to somewhere tropical. There is certainly the :Keeping up with the Jones" mindset as seen in your need to want a $450,000.00 home.
Take whatever time you need, go on FMLA and use every last hour of PTO you have (and you should have a bunch) Ask yourself, What would make SilverBells happy? Give yourself time to recover then find a regular nursing jop you can grow into. either 3 12's, 4 10's or 5 8 hours. Don't be lured by sallary offers which often look great on paper but require far more of you than many regular staff positions. Unless you have a ton of student loans work regular hours and find something out side of work to refresh your soul on a regular basis. Get yourself a small apartment where you don't have to deal with the intrusiveness of family.
I read somewhere that a person spends 3/4 of their life at work so hopefully you find something that has a purpose you can cling to.
While not Covid I am currently recovering from a health problem that has required 2 surgeries in the past 6 weeks. The normal course of recovery has not been too bad but I can tell you I have never been more tired in years. My doctor told me that the body requires a lot more energy to knit itself back together and to be patient with myself.
So please be patient with yourself and get well. remeber there are no headstones that say "Wished she'd spent more time at work."