Self Reflection: What could you do better?

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Hi Everyone! A conversation with a friend of mine got me thinking about self reflection and things I could work on at work.

For me:

- I can be kind of loud. I have a loud voice and when I am venting to coworkers, I suspect that on my last shift a patient's family member heard me. It was not my intent to make her feel small but I inadvertently did so and I am going to work on this.

What do you need to work on? Are you a gossip? Are you a pessimist? Are you frequently late? What do you need to work on?

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Specializes in Neurosciences, stepdown, acute rehab, LTC.

I don't take great care of myself and run late on everything constantly which sets me up for conflicts between fatigue/hunger/ and important tasks mid shift.

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Specializes in CCRN.

Great idea!

Like you, I have a loud voice. I have to be very conscious of my volume when speaking with patients, especially in semi-private rooms. I try, but sometimes I forget.

I also have to do better with my expectations of others. I hold myself to high standards in regards to my work ethic (showing up early, being ready for report early, helping others during my shift, etc). I know and understand things happen that can cause these things to happen, but I get very frustrated with people that don't have the same work ethic I do (regularly show up at 7:07 (because we have a 7 minute window and they aren't "late" unit 7:08), not ready for report until 7:15 (which was supposed to start at 7), or will sit at the nurses station chatting while others run around swamped with things to do. I have tried going to management about the 7:07 thing, but was told their hands were tied since they weren't "late" in the system. I want to work on my acceptance of the situation while working on ways to improve these issues.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Temper

Loud voice

Too much coffee...sometimes

Gossip

Eating better

****Taking things too personally when my brain is depleted. ..ie...after a long 12 hr shift

Not catching myself doing something right!

Patience with demented pts awaiting placement when I have 5 other "actual" cardiac patients! (That may not be humanly possible! )

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I wish I was better about confronting techs about inappropriate behavior and laziness. I always end up just doing the tasks myself instead of asking them to stop hiding in the break room and help me.

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So, I'm kind of a pushover. I'm always scared that I get in trouble for setting boundaries with my patients and family members so I don't. Honestly, whenever I do, I feel like I get in trouble.

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I start out every shift super-stressed and complain a lot about everything. I'm OK once I get things under control and I always regret my over-reaction. Not venting makles me feel even more stressed, though. I guess I need better coping strategies.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LDRP.

Like you, I have a loud voice. I have to be very conscious of my volume when speaking with patients, especially in semi-private rooms. I try, but sometimes I forget.

I also have to do better with my expectations of others. I hold myself to high standards in regards to my work ethic (showing up early, being ready for report early, helping others during my shift, etc). I know and understand things happen that can cause these things to happen, but I get very frustrated with people that don't have the same work ethic I do (regularly show up at 7:07 (because we have a 7 minute window and they aren't "late" unit 7:08), not ready for report until 7:15 (which was supposed to start at 7), or will sit at the nurses station chatting while others run around swamped with things to do. I have tried going to management about the 7:07 thing, but was told their hands were tied since they weren't "late" in the system. I want to work on my acceptance of the situation while working on ways to improve these issues.

I identify with this. If the laziness technically falls "within the rules" and it's not putting a patient at risk, I need to learn to just let it go. Some people will never be hard workers & complaining about that on a regular basis just makes me annoying & less fun to work with. Need to take a note from that little girl in the viral video and "worry about yourself!"....well, myself :-P

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Self confidence(even as an experienced nurse), assertiveness and the willingness to face conflict are the things I work on. Becoming a patient advocate involves all three of those, and these qualities are things I struggle with.

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

I am working on some things. I need to be more positive about things and not let little stuff bother me. I am horribly guilty of both.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Transplant.

I need to internally chill out at work. Outwardly, I'm usually calm and work well under pressure, but inwardly I'm stewing, heart rate of like 300, etc etc. The thing is, once the craziness is over (even if it's a whole crazy DAY) I truly realize how unhelpful and draining this pressure is!

I also need to work on patience...again, an internal thing mostly but a lot of my thought dialogue about certain patients and work situations is not gracious. I may be new and kind of overwhelmed, and I may not display all of these feelings but I still need to work on it.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Great thread! I tend to talk loud and curse, not the best combination. I'm trying to work these things, thanks for the reminder to keep at it. :)

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