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| Trying to Relax on Vacation…Is it Really Possible? |
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by Kimberly Spering, MSN, FNP-BC - October 10, 2011
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 Provided by Clinician 1
I get three weeks of vacation, plus one week of CME time, all to use as I wish.
I have NEVER used all of it in a year. Not that I haven’t wanted to, but, as a Mom, I admit to “saving” days, in case one of my kids get sick, and I can’t find a sitter. I take the random long weekend, but I admit, I do not take more than one week or so off at a time, and I am not good at following my own advice to patients. You know, I’m sure that we have all said it: “You need to make yourself as much of a priority as you do your (insert task or person here).”
So now, while here in the “sunshine state” of Florida (not withstanding the past two days of torrential rain), I still find myself thinking of my patients. I worry that things will be overlooked while I am gone. While I have no doubt that my collaborating physician is on top of things, it isn’t the same as when I am in the driver’s seat. This Type A personality finds it hard to let things go for other people to oversee and do. Although, admittedly, I will go out of my way to make sure HIS work gets done when my boss is off.
So, in the final days of (hopefully) more sunshine and family time to come, I will make a renewed effort to take that deep breath, let things go for another few days, and enjoy these final days of respite. As I am well aware, the next vacation is long off, not yet planned, and I will forget the relaxing days soon enough when I’m in the busyness of the weeks ahead.
And just maybe, I will also resolve to take another week of vacation along the way. Waiting another 51 weeks Is just TOO long.
Kim Spering is a family nurse practitioner who currently works at Brndjar Medical Associates, P.C., a family practice in Emmaus, PA. Her past experience includes the fields of medical/surgical ICU, open heart/trauma ICU, labor and delivery, nursing education, nursing supervision, and as a nurse practitioner in both family practice and OB/GYN settings. She currently serves as a NP preceptor for her graduate school alma mater, DeSales University, as well as for local baccalaureate programs. She is passionate about patient education and helping patients understand that they are ultimately responsible for their own health. She also firmly believes that the public needs to be educated on the value of NPs and PAs in meeting the health care needs of the next decade and beyond. In her free time, Kim enjoys family vacations with her optometrist husband, Mark, and her two sons, Matthew and Connor.
The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.
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| Cheri (Kalamazoo) |
on 20 Oct 2011 at 3:21 pm |
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Hi Kim!
I ended up leaving my primary care practice and going in to specialty practice due to similar problems. The only real getaway solution I found was to leave the US for my vacation as then my cell/email didn't work in the Caribbean. Unfortunately now in half my work I am the only prescriber on staff so even on vacation I do check emails and send back instructions on changing meds or calling in refills. This is true when I am at my other job too. But I only do it at my convenience. I tell all my patients on intake I am only here part time but they can get ahold of me if there is a problem but it may take a few days. That way, they are happy if it is resolved the same day and don't expect it if I am tied up or the person who is to call the change in is tied up. And we do it all by email so I check them when I get to it. And I can respond after office hours.
And Bob, sorry to burst your bubble but going to a conference while great fun, is NOT vacation! |
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| Kim Spering (Emmaus, PA) |
on 12 Oct 2011 at 10:35 pm |
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Hi, Bob~
Well, admittedly, I didn't think TOO much about work or patients...maybe once every other day or so. And everyone survived.
I, too, enjoyed the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot, and dined quite nicely at the California Grill, Le Cellier, and Fulton's Crabhouse in Downtown Disney, while enjoying the company of my husband's cousin and family, and my best friend and family from high school. (smile)
Not to mention having our own home, complete with a pool and hot tub to relax in at the end of the day...ahh, life is good, even if only for a week or so.
Tomorrow is "back to life...back to reality." Patients, then I present at a "medical home" conference, then I'm on-call for a weekend. And when the sunny skies of Florida seem far away, I will close my eyes and think of those rapturous moments in the heat and humidity, hearing the shouts of my boys as they ride Rock 'n' Roller Coaster yet again.
And it will all be worth it. :) |
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| Bob Blumm (LI, NY) |
on 10 Oct 2011 at 6:10 pm |
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Hi Kim:
good job in passing on your thoughts and I am delighted that as a type A personality that I am not affected in the same manner.
When I am on vacation, with the exception of having a very sick surgical patient, a case in which I would not leave, I totally forget that I am a PA. I don't think of the practice, the patients or my Doc, after all, he's a big boy and it's his practice. We need to be able to relax without Xanax or three martini's.
Today I am at the SCAPA Conference on the "Wild Dunes" of the Isles of Palms. They have the same wind and rain that you had in Florida. I picked up my conference tag, spoke to an old friend who share the same responsibilities as a past president of NYSSPA. Spoke to a few other PAs and NPs, went through the exhibit room that was not staffed by the reps yet and then walked to the hotel (quarter mile) in the pleasant rain and went to the restaurant/bar.
I had an appetizer of Prince Edwards Island mussels, a Compari and soda and went to my room, placed on my C-PAP and slept deliciously for 90 minutes. That's using down time wisely. Of course , I am responding to your blog as a post sleep diversion.
Bob |
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