An open letter to nurses: on the importance of boundaries and well-being at work.

10.11.2025

07 - a personal blog

Your job is not your life.

It’s what you do, not who you are.

When you’re on the job, you should be on the clock. Your time is valuable, and your labor deserves compensation.

Every minute you come in early, every late night you stay, and every extra task you take on — that’s effort worth more than a free compliment or a slice of pizza.

Appreciation is nice, but respect is better, and respect is shown through fair pay and healthy boundaries.

Being short-staffed is not your fault.

Taking your legally required break is not optional — it’s your right. Eating lunch at your desk while still working does not count as a break.

You are not obligated to work for free, no matter how much pressure, guilt, or chaos surrounds you.

Your mental health is more important than your job.

Call in. Take time off. Use your vacation days. They exist for a reason — you do too.

Your friends and family will always matter more than deadlines and meetings. Every. Single. Time.

And remember: HR (Human Resources) works for the company. They serve to protect the organization — not necessarily you. That doesn’t make them your enemy, but it does mean you should communicate wisely, document everything, and always keep a record: who, what, when, and where. It doesn’t need to be a novel — just enough to protect yourself if you ever need to.

Be careful what you share and with whom. Some people are genuine; others are simply gathering information. Guard your privacy — online and off. Make your social media private, because you will be looked up.

And finally, remember this:

You can leave.

You can choose peace.

You can choose yourself.

From Ivy’s Branches,

With kindness and respect, remember:

Your job is a chapter — not your whole story.