How do I turn my brain off after work?

SDS_RN, RN · Feb 19, 2008

When I first started out as a nurse I did the same thing! I would come home in the AM an just fret over what I may have missed or wonder if their was something I should had done differently. :confused: The more experience you get the more comfortable you will feel and then it will just kind of go away. However, I still do have those days or nocs if it was a crazy shift but not near as much anymore.

It does get better just hang in there. :up: Talk to your SO or another coworker about how you feel it helps you feel a little better. I found comfort in talking w/ a coworker of the same experience level as myself. We supported one another and learned a lot from eachother. Also don't be afraid to ask more experienced nurses for advice and how the deal w/ it when they go home.

Hope this helps even just a little! GOOD LUCK!:wink2:

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 19, 2008

I agree. You need to vent to someone, preferably another nurse. Somehow that releases the pressure (duh! that is what a vent does). And this may sound basic, but get a hobby. One you can lose yourself in. I do needlework, but there are lots of things out there. Reduce caffiene intake and establish a ritual for bedtime. No TV in the bedroom. If you "train" your mind to think of the bedroom as the sleeping/relaxing room then you will fall asleep sooner there. Little tricks I have learned.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 19, 2008

I was about to mention a hobby, when I saw that classicdame suggested it already. I take on silly little projects that keep my mind busy. I am an avid reader, so, these days, I have been reading and trying to put together astrology charts. It is not as easy to do them as it appears, so, I read the books I purchased over and over again trying to figure out what the nodes, sextiles, and other dandy little words are. I would never do one for anyone, my estimations are currently so poor, but I am enjoying the learning process. Also am reading about astronomy. Things to make me think about other things than nursing.

In the beginning, it WILL be this way because it is a new way, and to be honest, (at least for me), it will never fully leave, but, it gets better over time. I am just most assured that no one died, or I didn't do anything to harm anyone intentionally and that I did my best. I started sleeping much better after my house was rearranged, and made time to relax and do silly things I personally enjoy.

jenn27 · Feb 19, 2008

It will get better. Focus on things outside of work. Trust in the other nurses once they arrive and you leave its there responsibility and they are capable the same as you. Your not alone.

OhTheHugeManatee · Feb 19, 2008

It goes away with time. Sorry.

When I started in health care this happened every night. Even when I fell asleep, I'd be in this half-awake state where I knew I was at work and there were things I had to do. I could see and hear my coworkers asking me why I was trying to sleep when there were things to do. I would check and re-check everything I did.

Ugh. Not fun stuff.

After about 3 months it went away, in part because I had better sense of what I was doing and I walked away from my shifts confident that I hadn't missed anything. Now that I'm in school and working long clinical shifts, I find I don't have any trouble sleeping. Exercise and hobbies never helped me, but confidence solved the problem.

Good luck. This is something I think a lot of people hesitate to bring up but almost everyone experiences when they start working.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2008

When I first started working nights, I'd fall asleep SWEARING That I'd hear call bells, and needed to go answer them. I'd be thinking over all the things that I could have finished, or the things I didn't do...I started coming home, saying all those things out loud in the car on the drive to "let them go", get home, drink something, watch the news or jump online for 20-40 mins, and then go to bed....I agree, keep the computer somewhere public and make the bedroom off limits to electronics (within reason)....also, I just read this morning tryptophan foods will help you sleep..so there's that too...

danissa, LPN, LVN · Feb 19, 2008

I'm kinda the opposite of others who posted here. When I'm on 3 twelve hour shifts, I drive home, do the minimum that needs to be done, have a ginormous glass of wine, while on the computer. Then I make toast, with some humous, take it to bed, with a cup of tea, switch on the tv low for background voices.....and I sleep solidly for at least six hours! TV ALWAYS makes me sleep, even when I dont want to.

Work life gets easier to put to the back of your mind, the longer you do it and the more confidence you gain. Good luck, it will get better!

Oh, and daily soduku! Final mind burst before switching off!

zaggar · Feb 19, 2008

Dogs are great. They are wonderful listeners and love to go for long walks. Very therapeutic.

I know the concept of long walks isn't that appealing after 13 hours of work, but you can do it, and it beats laying there awake for hours.

danissa, LPN, LVN · Feb 19, 2008

I forgot to add that in pelsmith, good point. I think I just included walking the pooch in my minimal list of things to do! Nothing beats walking with your faithful friend, in a sunset or sunrise, and being loved by him for enjoying it! Thats pure relaxation!