I freaked out

lisabeth · Oct 14, 2006

You have done all you can do. I would just go in and act like your normal self. Happy and friendly as usual. I think they will understand that everyone has those kinds of days from time to time. Aplolgize again if it will make you feel better.

I totally freaked out at work the other day. It was extremely inappropriate and uncalled for. I am embarassed to go to work.
The other morning, right during our 8am med pass ~ including all the insulins ~ the janitors were waxing the floors which meant that whole portions of the hallways were totally blocked off from the pt. rooms. I had a heavy assignment which was the farthest from the med room, pts that were unhappy, tons of meds. Each time I entered the pt's rooms there was something extra that they needed. Well, with just "busyness" and inability to even remotely catch up, I freaked out at the janitors. Okay, I am very embarassed to even admit this, but I began what started as asking them why portions of the unit were totally blocked off, why couldn't they just do half of the hallway, etc. in which I eventually got more worked up. At this time, there was PCA's, other nurses, new orientees, student nurses that stopped to watch the whole confrontation. I eventually "mini" stormed off. Afterwards, I apologized profusely to the janitors, in which they accepted my apologies, but of course, I am now looked at upon a different light. Usually, I am happy, friendly, smile at everyone and I am not like this. People were kind of keeping away from me and talking about this incident all day (understandibly). I am working tomorrow and I don't even want to go in because of this.
I respect the janitors. It is not my opinion that they are below us (my husband was a janitor), it was basically that I felt that the management scheduled it at time when the floor was the busiest without any consideration for the unit. I sometimes feel that the nursing staff is disregarded and unimportant to basically all involved in hospital operations.
Please help me. I don't know how to face work now and am terrified for tomorrow and every shift after.

adrienurse, LPN · Oct 14, 2006

Yeah, one day I'm going to go completely mental on one of those floor polisher machines. Just pound the fricken tar out of it. This is one of my fantisies. Get out of the way if you see me running with a bat.

beautifulb · Oct 15, 2006

Yeah, one day I'm going to go completely mental on one of those floor polisher machines. Just pound the fricken tar out of it. This is one of my fantisies. Get out of the way if you see me running with a bat.

Well, yeah, I am exactly like that too, but since my show the other day, I am going to have to remember that it is not the janitors fault, but that floor polisher machine.

Oh, Boy. Not looking forward to tomorrow.:imbar :

JentheRN05, RN · Oct 15, 2006

Just go in with a cheery attitude. And start your day off with a mass apology, IE "I'm sorry about yesterday. I went a little overboard and I apologize. That is not my normal self. I'm sorry" or something to that effect. People will talk - the nature of the beast but you have made your peace. You have to believe that people are above looking at you differently from this one outburst.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2006

beautifulb. . .you are already a BSN, right? Why are you posting this on a student nursing forum? Why would you want the advice of student nurses on this?

sadrobin · Oct 15, 2006

Just remember "This too shall pass" people can only talk but for so long. You are human and for you to carry on as if nothing bothers you and life is peachy keen, I think everyone should start to worry then. You are allowed to act out of character, you've apologized, thats all you can do.

beautifulb · Oct 16, 2006

beautifulb. . .you are already a BSN, right? Why are you posting this on a student nursing forum? Why would you want the advice of student nurses on this?

Oops. I thought it was gen. nsg. forum.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2006

I'll move to the Gen. Forum for you. :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2006

I used to be famous for being clam under stress and pretty level headed. But I have to confess that after a few "moments", only a few over 15 years, I shot that rep all to pieces.

You've made amends, you acknowledged that you're human, and your peers still love you. :)

allnurses Guide · Oct 16, 2006

Oh geez, can I relate!! There were SO SO many moments during my years as a Med/Surge nurse that I freaked out, and then felt way embarrassed to go back to work the next day. So many moments, I can't even number them. I have a VERY low tolerance for stress, hence yet another reason why I finally chose a slower paced area of nursing.

Believe it or not, there are times when I actually miss the fast pace of Med Surge, but then I really think about what it would be like to go back to it and I think... nahhhhhh. Not until my life outside of work slows down and becomes a little less stressful anyways. (House being renovated, four-year old running around, new baby on the way.... not likely to happen soon!!!! :))

Another thing... at my hospital, floors were generally waxed, and carpets shampooed, at night? Wonder why they couldn't do that where you work????

texas_lvn · Oct 16, 2006

So how was your day back? Hope all is well.:monkeydance: