How do you let go after a bad shift?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

We all have those shifts. Where nothing goes right, where you can't catch up. Where the doc treated you like an imbecile or the charge nurse talked to you about something that happened on you lunch break and you obviously weren't the triage nurse at that time or the family whose been waiting an hour chews you out when you take back the super sick pt as opposed to their loved one who is much more stable.

I used to have a beer...realized that probably wasn't the best....plus I'm pregnant now...then I switched to working out...but now I'm on swing shift again and my gym closes before I get home from work.

My current method is watch tv to distract myself, but then I'm still ticked after.

What do you do other than come on allnurses and vent?

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We all have those shifts. Where nothing goes right, where you can't catch up. Where the doc treated you like an imbecile or the charge nurse talked to you about something that happened on you lunch break and you obviously weren't the triage nurse at that time or the family whose been waiting an hour chews you out when you take back the super sick pt as opposed to their loved one who is much more stable.

I used to have a beer...realized that probably wasn't the best....plus I'm pregnant now...then I switched to working out...but now I'm on swing shift again and my gym closes before I get home from work.

My current method is watch tv to distract myself, but then I'm still ticked after.

What do you do other than come on allnurses and vent?

Working out or any form of exercise is great to release stress - it brings down the adrenaline level and helps to get rid of excess energy from being somewhat worked up. I go to the fitness club or if that is closed or I do not feel like it - long fast walk while I listen to one of those free podcasts!

Seriously - podcasts have changed the way I exercise and walk !They are for free , there are probably thousands or so on itunes for free!!! They have stories, journalism, "know how", scary stories - whatever you like!

The reason I like that better as opposed to music when I work out is that if my brain is still somewhat busy with work or anything upsetting in general listening to something with intent appears to re-focus my thinking. They also have a podcast for people who have trouble to fall asleep and they tell you a boring story...

I also like "Day One" - which is an app I paid for - it is an online journal. While I would never use real names in it it is good for putting down my thoughts , emotions, and so on. I also attach a picture that captures my mood or thoughts.

Sometimes I need to talk to somebody about something - if it is work related I talk to one of my nurse friends to vent. This is not my preferred method of coping with work related stress but sometimes it needs to be another human being...

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Any shift I worked, day or night, I would be so tired all I'd do is sleep it off. If I had a day off, that also helped. Now, I don't have too many bad shifts that piss me off because I work in a somewhat decent area.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.
Working out or any form of exercise is great to release stress - it brings down the adrenaline level and helps to get rid of excess energy from being somewhat worked up. I go to the fitness club or if that is closed or I do not feel like it - long fast walk while I listen to one of those free podcasts!

Seriously - podcasts have changed the way I exercise and walk !They are for free , there are probably thousands or so on itunes for free!!! They have stories, journalism, "know how", scary stories - whatever you like!

The reason I like that better as opposed to music when I work out is that if my brain is still somewhat busy with work or anything upsetting in general listening to something with intent appears to re-focus my thinking. They also have a podcast for people who have trouble to fall asleep and they tell you a boring story...

I also like "Day One" - which is an app I paid for - it is an online journal. While I would never use real names in it it is good for putting down my thoughts , emotions, and so on. I also attach a picture that captures my mood or thoughts.

Sometimes I need to talk to somebody about something - if it is work related I talk to one of my nurse friends to vent. This is not my preferred method of coping with work related stress but sometimes it needs to be another human being...

Yeah my gyms closed though when I get off work. And even though my neighborhood is safe...around midnight it's not uncommon to see sketchy people riding bikes. At 5 months pregnant, a walk outside at midnight isn't an option.

I'll have to check out podcasts tho. :)

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Sitting in traffic

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I take a long, hot shower. It's symbolic as well as soothing. It "washes the day off" and gives me about 5-10 minutes to think and process, and then, let go. It works.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I meditate and do yoga...yoga has an inverse breathing, like how we breathe as infants as a core for centering on self, as well as releasing negative energy and introducing positive energy; it helps me center myself.

Even if you can't do most of the poses, the breathing alone can help assist in reducing stress.

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A nice glass of white wine! :)

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"Tomorrow is a new day" and some mild venting. If that doesn't work, ice cream. :laugh:

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