Work-life balance is one of the biggest challenges for hospice nurses. It’s so incredibly hard to turn it off when you get home.
I spend a lot of time trying to help my staff develop good habits. I try to explain to them the importance of turning off the work phone at the end of the day. I explain that we have on-call staff for a reason. I tell them, “Educate your families on calling the main number after hours. Teach them that you are not available in the evenings or on the weekends to field their questions.”
The absolute biggest key to having a work-life balance is completing everything you can while with the patient. This includes entering orders, calling the pharmacy, updating the care plan, writing IDT notes and absolutely charting and locking the visit.
I tell them, “When you get home, be with your family. Don’t be working! Your family needs you. Be there for them!”
My wife and I have been getting a lot done around the house this year. A lot of it we have contracted out. We got the HVAC replaced. We got two new garage doors put in, and we are about to get the house painted. There has been a lot to do. When I got home today, she had a short list of items for me to complete. After a couple busy hours, the work was done. I was ready to come inside and get cleaned up.
As I walked through the living room headed to the shower I told her everything was done for the evening. She said, “You can relax now. Your work is finished.” I looked at her and said, “I’m glad my second job is complete.” Without missing a beat she said, “Home is your first job.”
That’s right Julie, home will ALWAYS be his first job lol. Thank you for another great blog James!!!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
It is great that your family and your co-workers have you in their corner!
I’m blessed to have them! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Wow, that’s quite a blog, James. I’ve not seen anything from you for a long time. And now I see that two of your daughters have married. Which ones? Are they happy? Foolish question, right? With you and Julie as parents they have surely learned the right way to conduct themselves to ensure that their marriage becomes a harmonious partnership.
Joseph! I still think of you all the time! Your help changed my life in ways that can’t even be measured. It’s so good to hear from you. Every time I sit down to write, I think of what your thoughts and suggestions might be. We did marry off two girls last year. It was a challenge to say the least. They are both doing quite well!
Great blog! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Dionne!