feelin flustered

Just a question..what do you do when you have a few things to do at once, all priority. I know you go back to ABC's, but what do you do to feel more relaxed in that moment? Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with my patients and stepping back to see what is priority...but I am also a new grad. So just wanted to see what other nurses do in those situations. :angryfire

My suggestion- take a deep breath, prioritize the priority tasks and ask for help... I've never seen every nurse on our floor busy with high priority tasks all at the same time. There is always someone who can help! Either the other nurse helps when you ask or they help in the code.

Prioritize, ask for help and delegate. That's the textbook answer.

I try to take care of myself prior to going in. That means sleeping enough, exercising, and eating well. This helps to take the edge off of the stress response.

It's cliche to stay stop and take a deep breath, but that's what works best when you're having those moments where you're about to freak. Sometimes I go to the bathroom, touch my toes, take a deep breath, pray, and tell myself to relax that I can only do things one thing at a time and I will do so with peace and calm.

Goodluck to you!

hey... the last time i had a day like that i started humming out loud.. that seemed to work for me.. somehow it calmed me down and cleared my head... sounds funny but it helped!

My suggestion- take a deep breath, prioritize the priority tasks and ask for help... I've never seen every nurse on our floor busy with high priority tasks all at the same time. There is always someone who can help! Either the other nurse helps when you ask or they help in the code.

What a GREAT answer!!!

Prioritize, ask for help and delegate. That's the textbook answer.

I try to take care of myself prior to going in. That means sleeping enough, exercising, and eating well. This helps to take the edge off of the stress response.

It's cliche to stay stop and take a deep breath, but that's what works best when you're having those moments where you're about to freak. Sometimes I go to the bathroom, touch my toes, take a deep breath, pray, and tell myself to relax that I can only do things one thing at a time and I will do so with peace and calm.

Goodluck to you!

Wow, what great advice. I'm an LPN just starting a new RN job on med/surg next month. I am printing your paragraph and hanging it on my frig!!!