Leaving it at the door

[ER-RN2]

Needing some advice. I love the ER-I really can't see myself elsewhere. But I have a problem with "leaving it the door" when I'm leaving work. I don't sleep well because I am stressed out so much. So does anyone have any good and simple ideas for me?? I have asked to work shorter hours but it didn't go over. I just want to love what I do and not feel defeated when I leave. It seems like more and more people come in with stupid complaints and I really have a hard time keeping up with them (and the call light) and the critical patient that just rolled in....Hope this all makes sense. Thank you in advance.

PS. I know that I will probably get the "burn out" phrase, but I'm not leaving the ER because I do like change that occurs everyday. It is just the other crap that gets on my nerves!!!

[ThrowEdNurse, BSN, RN]

Traumanursern, I hope your husband is usually more sympathetic! I think you did a great job because you didn't run him over on the road when you passed him. My husband has learned when we meet after work at a restaurant not to ask me about my day ever since as we sat at the front of the restaurant, waiting to be seated he asked and I burst into tears. Poor thing, he was mortified. I know everyone around us waiting was like, "crazy nurse." I had had a really bad day. I did my best to choke them back, but couldn't. He kept asking, "do you want to leave?" I think he really wanted to say, "can we leave?" I refused because I really wanted some ETOH!!!

[TraumaNurseRN]

Traumanursern, I hope your husband is usually more sympathetic! I think you did a great job because you didn't run him over on the road when you passed him. My husband has learned when we meet after work at a restaurant not to ask me about my day ever since as we sat at the front of the restaurant, waiting to be seated he asked and I burst into tears. Poor thing, he was mortified. I know everyone around us waiting was like, "crazy nurse." I had had a really bad day. I did my best to choke them back, but couldn't. He kept asking, "do you want to leave?" I think he really wanted to say, "can we leave?" I refused because I really wanted some ETOH!!!

Oh yeah, he is .....it was just a bad night for both of us.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Finding a stress reliever, providing its not running over your hubby (lol) is vital for nurses.

I'm pretty sarcastic and have learned that those who are going to die, do die, those that should die, often don't and then there are those pts that surprize the heck out of you!

[Buckeye RN/EMT-P]

have been there and felt your pain! the people who abuse the ed and use it as their clinic, urgent care or doctor's office are very frustrating, especially when you have one or more critical patients - but we all know that this will not change! try to focus on those one or two (or more!) patients each shift for whom you have truly made a difference in their lives. when you think about how someone is alive or has improved because of your diligence and competence, and how happy and appreciative their families were, it kinda makes up for the "treat & streets" that will always be there!

[TraumaNurseRN]

Fortnunately, I leave it at the door, pack a bag and head on down to our beach house.....where I am right now,....ahhhhhh. I may leave it at the door but every chance I get to burst it out with a friend who knows exactly where I am coming from....we do.....Our montra is....You vent, I vent, let's all vent....Okay know pour me another Margarita...hahahaha