“You Only Work Three Days a Week?” Let’s Talk About That.
If you’re a nurse, you’ve probably heard this comment more times than you can count:
“It must be so nice to only work three days a week!”
And like most of us, you smile, nod, and say, “Yeah, it’s great.”
But let’s break this myth down a bit and talk about what those “three days” really look like.
Yes, Four Days Off Sounds Amazing… in Theory
Sure, technically you’re off four days a week. But after grinding through three 12-hour shifts, the first of those “days off” is a recovery mission. Your back hurts, your brain feels like scrambled eggs, and your feet have staged a quiet protest.
Twelve-Hour Shifts Aren’t a Walk in the Park
People forget that most nurses spend their entire shift on their feet—pulling, pushing, lifting, running, and managing emergencies like it’s a normal Tuesday. By the time you get home, you’re running on caffeine and sheer willpower.
You’re Not Just Caring for Patients—You’re Managing Chaos
Between meeting patient needs, soothing frantic families, navigating managerial “feedback,” and answering every whim of demanding physicians, your stress levels hit the ceiling. And just when you think it’s over—charting. Endless charting. Who needs sleep anyway?
Your “Days Off” Are Full of Domestic Mayhem
While you were saving lives, the house turned into a disaster zone. Dishes tower like monuments, laundry takes over the hallway, and your family seems to think your job includes “full-time maid.” One “day off” disappears in a blur of scrubbing, folding, and yelling “Seriously, how hard is it to use a hamper?!”
“You Still Have Two Days Left, Though!” …Not Quite
Between cleaning, errands, appointments, and surprise on-call shifts, those last two days vanish fast. Oh, and if you were lucky enough to finally sit down for dinner? Cue the phone call: “Can you come in tonight?” Because of course.
Working Night Shifts? Welcome to Another Dimension
If you’re on nights, forget about a normal sleep cycle. Day one off is spent trying to either sleep all day or stay awake until a human bedtime. Neither option works. Then, just when your body adjusts, it’s time to flip back and return to work. Yay.
Here’s the Truth—We Complain, But We’d Do It All Over Again
Despite the long shifts, sore feet, chronic exhaustion, and constant chaos—most of us wouldn’t change a thing. Nurses love what they do. It’s not just a job, it’s a calling. Helping patients heal and seeing their gratitude, even for a moment, makes all of it worth it.
So Next Time Someone Asks…
“Wow, it must be great to work just three days a week!”
Just smile and say, “It sure is.”
Because even though it’s nothing like they think, it’s the job you love—and you wear that badge with pride.