A nurse is loyal to her patients and coworkers. While prioritizing work, it becomes difficult for her to meet the needs of her family. Being devoted to one’s career is a good thing, but not at the cost of one’s family.

So, if you are a dedicated nurse, here are some quick tips to help you balance life and work and feel good about the time distributed between the two sections.

1. Create a schedule.
   Creating designated times of the day for every important thing in life is the best way to move towards a happy and settled life. Start by maintaining a diary that will keep you reminded of important events that are to be attended.

   For example, your kid’s soccer game or your yoga class should be noted in the diary so that you do not miss it. If possible, set a reminder on your phone so that you’ll not be late for the event.

   While creating a schedule, make right choices so that you do not end up wasting time on things you do not really need.

2. Delegate.
   The act of balancing is a team effort, and so you should look for ways in which you can find support to share the load. Talk to your supervisors about delegating responsibilities at work. At home, you can ask your spouse, children, and every other relative, to help you with things so that you do not pressurize yourself to do everything on your own. Sharing the load is important because it will help you stay sane and happy while serving patients and enjoying time with your family members.
3. Active downtime should be on your mind.
   We know that you are tired, once back home after a long day at the hospital. However, if you waste your time at home by watching TV or any other activity that makes you lazy and does not stimulate your brain, should be out of your list. Replace such activities by active activities like going for a walk, meeting friends, enjoying your hobbies and so on.
4. Get organized.
   If you plan to go grocery shopping, make sure that you get all your groceries at the same time to minimize your chores during the week. Online shopping is even a good idea because every necessary item will be delivered to your address. So, you’ll save a couple of hours this way!
5. Manage fatigue.
   Long shifts can make it difficult for you to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. So, it is important to take advantage of every nap opportunity you find during a break. In most of the hospitals, sleeping areas are provided in staff lounges, which make it easy for the nurses to get some rest.

   Another important point to be noted here is that you should practice good sleeping habits at home. So, don’t drink caffeine late in the day, keep your bedroom dark at night and avoid using electronic devices before bed.

Balancing your work life and personal life might look difficult. However, with proper planning and scheduling even a nurse with changing shifts can do it!