Why it's Okay to Take Vacation

Why it's Okay to Take Vacation

Nurses usually do not have a typical nine to five schedule. Due to understaffed hospitals and other critical issues, nurses have to work longer shifts, (upwards of 10 hours) and even work double shifts (more than 16 hours) on a consistent basis. Jumping from one station to the next, taking care of different patients in a single day, can be very stressful as it is nearly impossible to remember every detail of each patient. It is common to mix them up. Nurses working hard every day experience burnout, often drained when they finally arrive home, only to wake up in a few short hours for their next shift. So, many nurses in America are pushed to the brink of exhaustion and are practically pulling their hair out from the intense pressure. Sometimes it feels like nurses should be their own patients!

Nurses deserve to take breaks to recharge their batteries, to disconnect from the hassles of work and to dedicate time to themselves for enjoyment and entertainment. Imagine escaping the claustrophobic hallways of a hospital for a week, and relaxing on the beach under a bright sun, sipping a cold drink. Doesn’t that sound like heaven? A vacation, especially away from home, makes a world of difference for your mind and body. Here are some logical reasons why nurses need vacations from time to time.

Reduces Stress The chief reason for taking a vacation is to reduce stress. Being a nurse is one of the most fulfilling careers, treating patients and saving lives, but it can also be one of the most taxing.

Working long hours day in and day out can wear down any nurse. Taking a vacation cleanses your mind of worries and revitalizes the body. It also balances your work and personal life as it gives purpose to life outside the hospital or clinic.

Improves Health According to studies conducted by several universities around the country, taking a break from work improves your health and increases your lifespan. Nurses epitomize the essence of healthy living, as they cure sick patients on the regular. It would be odd if they themselves are not able to maintain optimal health while ensuring the wellbeing of others. Sometimes nurses fail to consider their own health, but being a bit selfish and going on a vacation can keep you healthy, making each day at work that much more tolerable.

Boosts Productivity and Decision Making As mentioned before, working too much leads to burnout, causing nurses to become exhausted and potentially make a poor decision that could be life threatening for the patient. To avoid these outcomes, taking a vacation will boost productivity and efficiency, as nurses will be able to then make more accurate decisions based on a diagnosis. Returning from even a short vacation can make nurses more energized, contributing to a positive attitude and the betterment of their patients.

Provides Personal Time Nurses like everybody else, have personal lives. They could be dating someone special, hanging out with close friends, or spending time with their family. These are all activities that make us social human beings, and working long hours reduces the chances of doing these things. Taking a vacation does not always mean going out of town on your own. Sometimes, the best way to feel good about yourself is to spend time with loved ones and go on a trip. Studies have shown that allotting time for yourself, especially with the closest people in your life, drastically improves your wellbeing and provides peace and warmth, something that a workplace will never do.

Increases Happiness Everybody dreams of having a job that makes them happy. Many nurses pursue the career because they make a difference in people’s lives on a daily basis. While this is one of the reasons for making nurses happy on the job, the working conditions quickly turn that smile to a frown. Many nurses complain of being unhappy due to the nature of the job, mainly the long shifts and accruing stress. Taking a vacation allows you to escape that hectic environment.

Many who come back from a vacation express a heightened sense of excitement and rejuvenated sense of purpose. They become happier, coming to work with a smile.

These are some of the key reasons to take a vacation as a nurse. Nobody should feel like a slave at work and toil day after day, regretting their career path. In order to revitalize themselves, vacations can help substantially. We suggest that rather than going on two long vacations twice a year (one in summer and another one at the turn of the year), it would be better to take multiple, short vacations. Taking short vacations frequently, spread out throughout the year, have shown to be very effective. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” That is most certainly true, so don’t just work all the time; you have to live once in awhile.

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