That sounds bad, but it can also be a good thing.
For me, my job in Wichita, as much as I really love what I do, drained me. And I didn't even know it.
Everyday I would come home exhausted after working 13-14 hours and driving 30-40 minutes each way. It would take me 1-2 days just to recover from work, and then I would work again. Because of this cycle, I always felt tired... and I thought there was something wrong with me.
The unit I worked on was so busy, we rarely had lunch breaks. We would just run through, shove something in our mouth, and run back out. Since starting travel nursing, I haven't missed a lunch break one. single. day. And I think I've only been at work longer that 12.5 hours a few times. These things make a huge difference!
When I get home, I can see Eli and help put him to bed. Before, on days I worked, I didn't get to see Eli at all that day. I left before he woke up and always came home after his bedtime. If I worked several days in a row (as I did every week), I wouldn't see him for two or three days. My baby.
I see Eli every day now, and I get to talk to him and he tells me about his day. It just makes my whole day better!
Along with all this, it is less stressful at work too. I don't have any 'extra' responsibilities that I would have if I worked permanently at the hospital, and people have fewer expectations of me. I can always (honestly) say, "oh, I'm a traveler, I don't know where that is," and I'm not expected to always know the answer. It's also less stressful because never once have I had more patients than I felt I could take of well.
On my days off, I get to spend time with Eli and Josh, and we are more intentional about seeing the city we are in and enjoying our time together.
This whole thing has almost been a vacation!
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