Easily annoyed

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2016

Well, at least you have the personal insight to recognize you have a problem. Many people like you just spend their entire lives pointing the finger and blaming others.

You seem like you could be open to some "life skills strategies." You could probably find this from a professional counselor. They don't just work with people with mental illness or really serious problems. It wouldn't require long term therapy, just a limited number of sessions where you could learn healthy coping skills and ways to self calm in the situations you describe.

Good luck.

CCU BSN RN · Oct 8, 2016

Ditto Horseshoe's advice. See a counselor. It's a stressful job. I fully understand where you're coming from and that the above is a rant and not a fully thought-out reflection. I identify a lot with your concerns, because they mirror mine at that stage in my career.

I think it's worth doing some journaling or meditating on the subject. Something inherent in nursing is that everything is going to fall to you. There will always be issues with Pharmacy, Respiratory, MDs, PT/OT, Radiology, CNAs, Phlebotomy (I'd go on, but I think you get the gist), and since you are the one at the bedside having to apologize for everything, it will fall to you to coordinate everything. It sounds like when you get stressed and exasperated, you get angry, and it seems like even your patients pick up on it (not good). You're getting angry over things that you have no control over. Being angry won't make the CNA work harder, it won't make pharmacy send your meds quickly (might do the opposite).

I had similar issues and saw a Psychiatrist and a counselor for awhile, and did some serious self-reflection. I'm not perfect, but I remain collected and professional with my patients and co-workers, even when I'm stressed. I've also learned through experience how to get things done, which things can be left for later, etc.

Things like calling pharmacy/the lab/people who you have NO control over? Call, be nice, ask how they're doing, explain WHY your request is important (e.g. I KNOW you guys are busy, but this patient is unstable and I would really appreciate if there's any way this med/lab/etc. could be done as soon as possible. or 'this patient keeps ringing every 4 minutes for this med, and I know it's not an important med, but he's driving me insane'. Usually if you're nice on the phone and you level with them, you get what you want faster.) You need to remember that every other department of the hospital is just as short-staffed as nursing is. They all have their challenges, and everyone feels over-worked and downtrodden, just like you do.

I know it's difficult and may take time, work, and/or medication, but you've got to figure out a way to remain level-headed at work. There is nothing to be gained from being frantic and angry.

Good luck, and hang in there, I do get it, it's incredibly hard and frustrating. It will get better, or at least, your ability to cope with it will get better, as long as you put in the time and effort!

VANurse2010 · Oct 8, 2016

Good for you for recognizing that your attitude needs some adjustment, but I will say it *does* legitimately sound like your workload is BS.

Sour Lemon · Oct 8, 2016

My floor is very overwhelming and we can get a max of 9 patients (usually two admissions equaling 9). That is very overwhelming in itself and it seems my hospital that no one does the job they are supposed to do. The nurses always have to call pharmacy for missing meds, call dietary for trays, set up for admissions or give water/food when the aides dont do their job correctly and calling lab to see if they drew certain blood work. It seems that nursing must be on top of everyone at the facility to make sure things get done for the patients.

What you may not be considering is how understaffed and overwhelmed those other departments are, as well. Their workload is likely as heavy as your own which is why things get delayed, pushed aside and slip through the cracks.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Oct 9, 2016

There are things you cant control. What other people do is at the top of the list. Don't let any of that bother you, put your head down and do your own work, then help others if you can. You may be a little OCD about how you like things, so remind yourself to try and ignore when tasks aren't done exactly as you would have. I could have written your post, I swear, word for word. I'll send you a PM too.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Oct 9, 2016

You nailed it. A counselor is a great idea. I also have "under pressure" by Bowie on my phone and sometimes that helps.

caliotter3 · Oct 9, 2016

Don't forget tending to your physical needs for adequate rest, food, and most importantly exercise (when you are off duty, we know you have constraints while at work). A consistent and effective exercise program can go a long way toward helping to increase your resistance to events and people that upset you.

Libby1987 · Oct 9, 2016

In addition to good self care, reading Leadership and Self Deception a few times 180'd my tolerance for anything thrown at me.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 9, 2016

Got hobbies? Things you treasure and enjoy?

I would try to spend more time on these pursuits and meanwhile, try to find a less stressful job situation. You are so wise to recognize how you feel and what is going on---I truly applaud you.

Time for action. A therapist is helpful. I found a life counselor invaluable. Helped point me in the direction of how to make the most of what I had, and enjoy it. And never to just settle, but strive for my goals. Having a goal, and working towards it, in itself is rewarding.

I wish you the best.

TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN · Oct 9, 2016

You've gotten some excellent advice here, I think as nurses we're often in an environment that requires constant adaptation and it can be flat up hard to handle. Best of luck to you.

freckles23 · Oct 9, 2016

There are things you cant control. What other people do is at the top of the list. Don't let any of that bother you, put your head down and do your own work, then help others if you can. You may be a little OCD about how you like things, so remind yourself to try and ignore when tasks aren't done exactly as you would have. I could have written your post, I swear, word for word. I'll send you a PM too.

Well its a little difficult to do my job because it is basically the centerpiece for all the other jobs. For example, I had a PTT that needed to be drawn at a certain time and come to find out an hr n a half later, no one knew about the order and the lab was never drawn. Yes I should have been on top of it needing to be drawn but you have a million and one things with 9 patients so it becomes difficult to follow thru with alot of things when need be. So I had to call lab and let them know and they drew the PTT 2 hours from its due time.