How do you stay cheerful and bubbly during work?

Nurses General Nursing

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SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

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

What's the old saying?

To thine own self be true.....

nuff said. if you can't like what you do or bring yourself to a happy state EVER in your work...perhaps you are in the wrong area or field. I myself see faked cheerieness from a mile away and so do our patients/family members. WE don't have to be Susy Sunshine to be good nurses ya know.......but if we are not happy it is incumbent on us to figure out why and DO something about it.....other than just "lighten up"......that is a short-term amswer that does not solve it........

flaerman

151 Posts

Specializes in M/S, Onc, PCU, ER, ICU, Nsg Sup., Neuro.

Try humor first, if that fails then go with rank sarcasm. I've often been told by friends and colleagues that I am too cynical to be a nurse. I will tell you, my cynicism is what has kept me in the game and on the job for so long.---Paul

CATHYW

564 Posts

I always try to think of what I'll be doing when I get off work, even if it is watching TV with my hubby. Anything to get my mind away from work. Like Heather said, I always try to put on my best face for my patient. I am a teaser and a joke cracker so, often, by making others laugh, I get to laugh!

Boston64

24 Posts

I have found that while I have certain halls in particular while working, some of the residents really get to me. they start yelling (you have probably seen my other posts on this subject) but anyways. I want to know how to stay cheerful, atleast for the sweet residents.

There is one hall there, that whenever I have it I am always crying and upset. How do I make it easier on myself. (and dont say sing, because I cant sing good at all) lol. I'm just curious. I want to appear as the cheerful, bubbly, energetic, and easy going type. I may look that way because I have rainbow colored hair! but I feel like an old grouch!

Twirl!! And say to yourself "but for the grace of God, there go I". And, maybe this is not the kind of nursing you should be doing.

Good luck and God bless.

I know you don't want to hear it but:

"he who sings prays twice"
Specializes in L&D, medsurg,hospice,sub-acute.
If cheerfulness doesn't come naturally, then don't go there. People know when it's fake.

I thoroughly enjoy bubbly people because I tend to be quiet. Plus I like the way patients just light up for them.

But I also enjoy my coworkers who are calm, gruff, warped, shy, sarcastic or curmudgeonly...all of whom become equally endearing to their patients.

I have to admit that constantly whiny coworkers irritate the heck out of me.

Everyone shows caring in a different way, and there's enough variation in the world that someone needs each type of caring that there is.

That's what your patients need -- your particular and unique way of showing you care. The caring is also what makes a group a team.

I agree!! Who told you Bubbly was part of the job description anyway??? Sometimes bubbly is downright INappropriate--peaceful, caring, supportive,--and sometimes, when a patient knows you, and you don't have as much energy, I have found sharing something (without going over the professional line) can become theraputic for them--like---"Had a bad husband day--how did you cope with yours??" and get some very wise and funny advice--and they get to feel useful and listened to--it's good for them too--to know we are being real with them

Prayer and humor are also essential--as is teamwork and a supportive professional community--we have patients we call "belong to all teams" because they play the staff--or get us nuts for some other reason, and we go in with a witness, or just take turns dealing with the difficult people---On another note--does your wild hair coloring ever get in the way of patients taking you as a professional?? I can see where it's great in some situations, but I know some patients and their families who may have had a real problem with it--not to mention my administrator--but--whatever works......

Mimi Wheeze

91 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg.

The OP started this post back in 2002.

Agnus

2,719 Posts

Mandi, just be you. Don't try to be someone you're not. I have a quiet personality. I don't say much but am very good at what I do. One of the "bubbly" nurses asked (or rather, complained) about my being so quiet. So the next time we worked together, I assumed a "bubbly" personality. Laughing, cracking jokes, grinning a Kool-Aid grin, etc. She didn't know how to take it. She asked me what was wrong with me. I told her that this is what she wanted. She said she thought it was, but actually seeing it scared her. I said," so I can be me now?" She said yes. I told her " good because this is giving me a headache." Just be you.

And Belinda, there is nothing wrong with stepping back and taking deep breaths. It's actually a very smart thing to do.

:roll :yelclap: :yeah:

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