Shift work life

Hi all -- I'm still alive for anyone still reading this. I don't really track if people read this or not -- this is more for me than anything. I am a chronicler -- I like to write things out when they happen, so that some day I can look back and remember events that were significant to me at some point in time.

Anyway, I wrote earlier about regretting job offers -- I decided last week that this is supposed to be MY life, so I'm going to live it however the crap I want to live it. I sent some regret letters and I feel kind of relieved. I'm starting off in my nursing career and I need the experience more than the cushy lifestyle. I'm not fragile, and I can handle anything that comes my way, so bring it! I'm still doing consolidation right now and LOVING it. I really want to work on my unit. I talked to the manager about the possibility of new grad positions and it's very up in the air at the moment... but I'll check back with her in 2 weeks when I'm off nights. It's a hard job, I'll admit, but you know what? I enjoy it. No, I don't enjoy all aspects -- cleaning up messy mishaps and upset families is not the fun part, but being at the center of all care in an institution? That's pretty cool. Being able to have the knowledge to save someone's life, or at least be in the position to be able to USE it, is pretty cool. Being able to laugh about hard days behind closed doors with colleagues -- that's pretty cool.

I made this decision while my mother was away on vacation on a cruise, and apparently she'd told all her friends that I've got a cushy job. Hah... well, it's going to be interesting explaining to her and everyone else why I turned away from that...

To be honest, shift work isn't too bad. Days are fine, because it doesn't mess with your sleep schedule. Nights, on the other hand, a little harder to work with, but ok still, nonetheless. I like being able to work for only 2 or 3 days/nights at a time, and then having a few days off in between to do whatever I want. Sure, it's a little less conventional than a M-F 9-5 job, but I'm a little less conventional than your average person, so it's all good.

I am in the process of applying to various other positions, so here's to hoping that I get a job soonish....