Here’s a wonderful excerpt from ‘Your Next Shift‘ (see book here):

My final tip to you is my personal number one value. We all have values in life, at least I hope we do. When I contemplate what’s important to me, it may sound selfish, but it’s true: my number one value is fun.

I want to have fun in every single thing that I do. I want to have fun with family and friends. Fun at work. Fun with fun. I want to have fun as I learn and grow and heal and change. Fun is important to me and allows me to feel free.

So, my last piece of advice is to have fun with your work. Quit taking yourself too seriously (we all do it; I am raising my hand here too). Laugh once in awhile. Laugh at yourself. Play. Be a child again. I think the very best thing I have gained from my two nephews is that feeling of being childlike once more.

I am blessed with the opportunity to have them come and stay with me for a couple of days in the summertime. They ask me questions all day. They are constantly chattering to each other, themselves and to anyone who will listen. They laugh and play and act silly. Watching them experience the world is such a joy for me and having them stay with me that first summer that they did reminded me to experience the world as a child again.

If work is becoming too hard for you or if you are no longer enjoying yourself, take a break. Take some time off and replenish yourself. Here’s another plug for all of the health and wellness coaches out there (and there are many nurses out there becoming coaches, too). Go ahead and find yourself a coach. A life coach, wellness coach, health coach or even personal coach. Whatever kind you need.

Take some time to enjoy being you, to have fun with your nursing career. Life is way too short. It will be over before you know it. Don’t miss the world and all of its beautiful opportunity by being upset with how things are going. If you’re unhappy make a change and then enjoy the choices that you make. Have fun being you and enjoy your own company.

Let’s hear from you! What do you find fun? What are some of your deepest values? How can you bring more enjoyment into your nursing career? Go ahead and leave a comment below, and as always, thanks for reading.

About the Author: As a speaker, workshop facilitator, and Reiki Master, Elizabeth partners with hospitals, organizations, associations, and nursing groups to help transform the field of nursing from the inside out. As the  host of the Your Next Shift Workshop, Elizabeth guides nurses and nursing students to a change in perspective, helping them make the inner shift needed to better maneuver the sometimes challenging realities of being a caregiver.