Work/Life Balance?

jays · Feb 25, 2008

It depends upon you and the type of nursing you are doing. I find that I leave my job at work most of the time althoght some days a patient or situation comes up that causes you to question your decisions even on your day off. My husband can't stand it. I like talking to my fellow nurses when this happens. It's good to vent and get feed back.

MedicalLPN, LPN · Feb 25, 2008

I'll be honest with you, right now I'm having a hard time juggling work, school, and life. I work full time as an LPN on night shift on a medical floor and go to school full time as well, due to homework and other crap at home etc. I often only get a few hours of sleep from Monday through Thursday typically around 3hrs a night then thursday night I sleep about 10 hours to try to make up. Right now work is hell, crazy busy, short staffed, difficulties with co-workers. Thank God for Dexatrim, Stackers, and Mountain Dew, without those three things I would be up the creek:zzzzz:bugeyes:.

So to answer your question, yes I am putting my health last right now. But there are many nurses I know that are very good about working the days/nights their scheduled and nothing more, leaving work at work, and spending the rest of their time with family and friends.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2008

You would be amazed how easy it is not to take a break in 12 hours if your really busy. Time flies. The nice thing about Hosp nursing is most people work 3 twelve hour days. That means 4 days off. Some times your days off one week merge into the next week, so you could have 6 days off in a row. For people who work monday-friday 8-5 that is like a vacation to Lots of time to pursue hobbies/health/family etc etc.

I am assuming your still in school?

School is hard. Very time consuming, if your not at clinical your preparing for clinical, or a test or a paper or a project. When I was in school I felt like as long as I did laundry each day at home I was accomplishing something.

I graduated in December and I am just now getting my house in order from the past 4 years. If I could have afforded it, I would have got a maid while I was in nursing school.

You will find a balance. For me working Nights and Weekends helps with my family right now, once the kids are older, maybe days. I dont know, but it is nice to have all the options available that nursing has to offer.

Best of luck!!!

Bugaloo · Feb 26, 2008

how do you feel your career in nursing relates to your personal health? is your job as a nurse so demanding that you neglect your own health and personal needs?
how do you balance your career with the rest of your life? i have other hobbies and goals in life that have nothing to do with being a nurse, and i want to have time for them.
i hear stories about how things can be so crazy that you don't get time to have a break or even go to the bathroom. there is no way i can go a 12 hour shift, or even an 8 hour shift without eating a lunch and snacking.
do you "take your patients home with you"? or are you able to leave work at work? i can imagine worrying about my patients while i'm not on the job, and not being able to separate work from personal life.
how do you do it?
lots of questions, i know. can you tell i'm nervous about all of this?

i touched on this briefly in an article i wrote. i think it is very important to find a balance between work and home. it took me a long time to learn this

how can med-surg nurses avoid burnout? first and foremost, leave work at work. try not to worry about patients when you are not at work. on your days off, schedule "me" time, if at all possible. play with your kids, spend time with your family, pursue a hobby, get a massage. by nature, nurses are passionate people. nursing is physically, mentally and emotionally draining. the days we spend away from our job should be spent fulfilling our needs and the needs of those we love. we must reserve some of our passion for something besides caring for the needs of our patients. once you do that, it becomes easier to find a work/home balance that works for you.

Becca608 · Feb 26, 2008

I think after surviving nursing school while working, I can handle the shifts. So far, I've been able to leave my patients at clinical and not think twice about except in one or two cases. I'm looking forward to graduation so I can get my life back in order.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have worked full-time another year and saved up money toward nursing school so that I would not have to work. The 60 hours a week between school and work have really taken thier toll. I wish I could just sleep for a couple of weeks.

I am so glad this is almost over.

Altra, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2008

how do you feel your career in nursing relates to your personal health? is your job as a nurse so demanding that you neglect your own health and personal needs?
it does present some challenges: inherent risk of injury, particularly back injuries. no one will make time for you to eat or go to the bathroom - you must take responsibility for this yourself. i do not neglect my own health or personal needs.
how do you balance your career with the rest of your life? i have other hobbies and goals in life that have nothing to do with being a nurse, and i want to have time for them.
i work full-time, 40 hours a week, just like the vast majority of adults working in all fields. i have no more or less time for family & personal pursuits than anyone else.
i hear stories about how things can be so crazy that you don't get time to have a break or even go to the bathroom. there is no way i can go a 12 hour shift, or even an 8 hour shift without eating a lunch and snacking.
see above.
do you "take your patients home with you"? or are you able to leave work at work? i can imagine worrying about my patients while i'm not on the job, and not being able to separate work from personal life.
i have seen harrowing things that are outside the realm of experience of nearly all non-medical people. are there things that i could allow myself to tear up about right now? yes. your experiences do become a part of you. but we each find our own particular way to separate me, nurse from me, human being.
how do you do it?
lots of questions, i know. can you tell i'm nervous about all of this?

good luck to you. :)