Making it through the tough days...

[BecomingNursey]

Hitting the "wall" and how to hurdle over it!

So this past week I totally hit my "wall" while at work. It was one of those days where I was busting my butt and still feeling like I wasn't getting anywhere. The critical care patient I was trying to get up to critical care from the ER might have had something to do with it. Lol

Anyhow...I was in the middle of hanging two units of blood, starting another line on my critical care patient and trying to call report to the unit when I got the news. For the first time EVER!!! One of my patient had contacted my director and quality assurance manager to complain..about ME! I was so upset.

I had already repeatedly apologized to the aforementioned patient and patient's family members for it taking longer than normal for me to come and take care of them. I simply told them I had a critical care patient down the hall and that I was sorry for their wait.

My director came up and hugged me as I was pulling medications from the med cart and I just started balling my eyes out. I was doing everything I possibly could, as fast as I could and I was still being told I wasn't good enough.

But you know what? I went and cried for a minute, got myself back together, went back to work and got caught up and just shrugged it off. That's all you can do when something like that happens.

Just remember, some patients can't get over the fact that they aren't our only patient! I totally get it. You want to be taken care of. You want your family members to be taken care of first. Sometimes, we have to use the skills that we learned in nursing school and prioritize our care. That means the more critical patients come first. So just remember when you hit that wall, we have all been there and we are cheering you on in spirit! You can do it!!!

So when you hit your "wall" at work, what do you do to hurdle over it? Cry, laugh, or joke with other coworkers? What are your coping mechanisms?

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

Author: Art Williams

[RN403, BSN, RN]

Sometimes all you can do is cry. We've all been there. *hugs*

[CelticGoddess, BSN, RN]

I pretty much do what you do, I cry for a minute, take a deep breath and move on. My unit has a long termer who makes our lives a living nightmare, and she is beyond demanding. She has a poor memory, and won't remember care, so will accuse staff of lying about providing said care. We spend more time in her room than any other room. Whenever I have her as a patient, I hit that wall every time. I have learned to take a very deep breath before going into her room, pasting a huge fake smile on my face and getting care done as quickly as possible. It helps. Then I move on to my sick patients.

[mvm2]

It was nice that you had such a understanding director and actually gave you a hug. Its thesetype of leaders that I look up to and know they are in the right job. Supporting your staff makes it a better work environment even when the walls are caving in on you.

Big hugs and just be glad that day is over and pray tomorrow will be better

[BecomingNursey]

Thank you for the kind words everyone! I know we all have these rough days and it's good to hear from others in not the only one to break down and cry. Lol being a newer nurse, I still feel inadequate sometimes. So again, thank you for the kind words!

It's a new day and this weekend at work will be better!!! :)

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

Author: Art Williams

[anewsns]

The supportive management is priceless. I don't cry , but sometimes I get angry and short. Usually followed by a lot of joking and laughter.

Last night was so bad (ltc), and I went into a residents room

late , he knew I was having a bad day even though we're not supposed to show it. He said "hard day?" And I said "yea" and then he asked if I would fill his humidifier , (already half full) and I said "no." And we both burst out laughing. Small mercies.

[BecomingNursey]

@anewsns

I love to curb my bad days with humor and sarcasm. This particular day was even worse than just a bad day. Haha it required tears. Lol

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

Author: Art Williams

[noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP]

When you posted the part about your director approaching, following the complaint, I braced for impact.

So refreshing to see a supportive director.

My my manager would have given me the Spanish Inquisition.

My director... Let's just say she thought a gathering of housekeepers was a RRT and she was upset I wasn't helping...

[middleagednurse]

I wish every starry eyed nursing student could read this, and all pre nursing students. Would avoid a lot of heartache down the road.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

My director came up and hugged me as I was pulling medications from the med cart and I just started balling my eyes out.

As an aside, that's "bawling" if you are referring to producing tears. As my colleague RubyVee points out, "balling" is a coorifice synonym for sexual intercourse, and if that's what you're doing at work, I really don't want to hear about it. :)

Ahem. Believe me, when most DONs or managers hear criticisms from stressed-out families like this, they generally have enough experience to know whether they're credible, and they know how to deflect them if they're venting. Sounds like yours does, at least.

No worries. Keep calm and carry on! :flwrhrts:

[BecomingNursey]

As an aside, that's "bawling" if you are referring to producing tears. As my colleague RubyVee points out, "balling" is a coorifice synonym for sexual intercourse, and if that's what you're doing at work, I really don't want to hear about it. :)

Ahem. Believe me, when most DONs or managers hear criticisms from stressed-out families like this, they generally have enough experience to know whether they're credible, and they know how to deflect them if they're venting. Sounds like yours does, at least.

No worries. Keep calm and carry on! :flwrhrts:

Thank you for that vocab lesson. Definitely talking about crying. Nothing sexual. God help me. Hahaha