There’s nothing like a full and satisfying day off.
So, what does “full and satisfying” look like for an overworked, under-rested nurse? Below, Kati Kleber offers her own take on a solid stint out in the “real” world, where dinner happens somewhere between 6 and 9 p.m., not a.m.:
Here’s a personal guide to those precious, precious hours away from the hospital.
1. Sanitize: Two to four scalding hot showers should do it.
2. Sleep: Nine to 11 hours will be sufficient. Keep in mind that the first two to three hours will be haunted by telemetry monitor alarms and IV pumps.
3. Coff-eine administration: This is necessary to fully awaken from a deep, deep slumber. There is a standing order for 16 oz. PO coffee; may administer another dose if ineffective after 30 minutes. Do not exceed 900 oz. in 24 hours.
4. Devotionalize: When “just another day at work” can consist of people dying, it’s important to refocus on God. Being humbled and thankful for Him on a daily basis helps you to keep your priorities straight, maintains sanity and keeps you from constantly wearing grumpy pants. No one wants to be around that. Take off your grumpy pants and thank the Lord that you aren’t in that bed.
Praise ’em!
5. Laundry: Remember all those gross things you did at work? Are you picturing them? Are you picturing emptying that JP drain with all those clots in it? Are you picturing pulling out that chest tube and it almost splattering all over your arm? Wash your clothes, like, now.
When I have to touch my scrubs again to put them into the wash:
6. Nap: Aren’t you tired again yet?
7. Wear something without an elastic waistband: If you’re okay with always wearing stretchy pants, you’re okay with getting fat. Jeans (or whatever the hell she’s wearing in the video below) = friendly reminder/reality check.
8. Do something not hospital/health-related: Do anything. Just don’t go for walk…you already walked three miles at work yesterday. A leisurely sit, perhaps?
Never underestimate the power of a good sit.
9. Work out: Remember that cake they brought in for someone’s last day? Or the carry-in yesterday where everyone brought in all that delicious food that you ate way too fast during the three-minute break you got after not eating for eight hours? Yeah, go work that off. And build up your muscles so you won’t get as tired when you have to lift 400-pound patients literally every time you walk into the room, for 12 hours.
A solid workout partner:
10. W(h)ine: Have a delicious glass of red wine and complain for just five minutes. Time yourself. Don’t go overboard because then you think about it way too much. It’s just enough time to get it out of your system, but not enough to take over your life/thoughts for the night. That’s all you get. Besides, people tune you out after that long anyway.
11. Go to bed early: Because you’re probably back at work early tomorrow morning again, right?
Good night!
This article was republished with permission from SCRUBS Magazine.
My days off involve none of this. I go to Sea World, Universal Orlando, or Disneynworld and ride every roller coaster in operation. If iI have three days off, I go to all three parks.
This article was entertaining, witty, and helpful! Just the little pick me I needed after coming home from a long days work. Articles like these are reminders of why I absolutely love who I am and what I do, Nurse:-) Keep them coming!
Love love love this article.So so true and so so funny at the same time.Thank-you.I can relate to it all after 35 years and still nursing. Am sharing this one for sure!Love it!
This was a great article. I totally can relate and I already do most of those things on my day off. I need to sdd exercise to my regimen. Thanks.