In need of an attitude adjustment

[serenity now]

I have been a bedside nurse for almost 20 yrs. and, for the immediate future, will continue to work as a nurse. I love the way nursing fits into my life. I love the hours and have no complaints with my pay. But most days, I struggle with the job itself. I find myself frustrated with the constant interruptions - my cell phone ringing, the call bells going off, the PT, SW, CM, NP, lab, ancillary departments, patients' family members - all needing my attention. As I've gotten older, it's just become more difficult to concentrate while being pulled in so many directions. Every year, the job just feels so much more demanding on every level.

Finding another job is not an option at this point, and I will need to work at least 5 more years before I can think of retiring.

I don't want to become that person who is constantly complaining and that no one enjoys working with, but some days I feel the negativity right under the surface and it's all I can do to squash it down during my shift. If anyone has any ideas or strategies that they use to get back on track when they're just not feeling it, I would really appreciate hearing them.

Thanks.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

I found it therapeutic, to take "vacations to other clinical

sites, or nursing disciplines

[db2xs]

I have only been a nurse for 3 years, but have you considered turning your mobile phone off while you're working and turning it back on when you're on break or at lunch?

And I would agree with sallyrnrt that perhaps another clinical site or specialty might do the trick. When you say that you love the hours, I am led to believe that you're doing inpatient acute care, three 12s sort of thing. Would you be willing to go to a clinic setting, even if that means more days but less hours per day? It would probably be a lot more mellow

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You don't need an attitude adjustment, you need a job adjustment.

I got out of the hospital at the age of 60.. not out of nursing.. just away from the bedside.

Rethink this.

[serenity now]

To clarify: I carry a hospital issued phone, not my personal cell. I can get a call transferred to me no matter what I'm doing - gowned up in an isolation room, bent over a patient doing wound care, while I'm in the restroom, etc.