Help! I Can't Get Rid of My Dark Cloud

[beekindRN, ASN, RN]

Why hello there! Within the last week, I've had three patients who had unwitnessed cardiac arrests and subsequent anoxic brain injuries. And no, I don't work in a neuro ICU...yikes.

So tonight I read my Bible while drinking my favorite coffee blend, and followed it with a 15 minute run as the sun set.

My scripture focused on peace, so that's on my mind tonight. What's something that brings you peace with the hustle and bustle of nursing? A beer on the deck? A good spring rain? The ding of the elevator as you're stepping off your unit at the end of a long shift?

[OldDude]

Yes...

[Davey Do]

4 hours ago, beekindRN said:

What's something that brings you peace with the hustle and bustle of nursing?

I'm partially kidding, beekindRN, even those do help me deal with the stress.

It's sort of like what I believe the OldDude was conveying- all of those things you listed helps to bring peace.

It really depends on how I'm affected. If I'm angry, a good work out or bicycle ride is in store. If I'm bummed out over something, reading spiritual material, art, and reflection help. Talking it over with my wife helps.

Thanks for asking, beekindRN!

[KrysyRN, BSN]

My son has a cabin on a bay in a remote spot in my state on one of the larger Great Lakes. That's where I go to decompress. The woods are behind me and nothing but a sandy beach and beautiful water as far as the eye can see. A treat is seeing a freighter go by in the distance. I can sit out there for hours and not see another person walk by. Just the lake and me.

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Welllllll, this morning, it was unfortunately ibuprofen and a cupcake. I'm not proud of self-medicating this way, but it does bring the mind and body some measure of calm.

In all seriousness, baking actually does help; something about the precision required is oddly soothing. Spending time in my home or on the porch, enjoying the quiet and stillness. Writing fiction or music to get out of my head and into a space where everything is exciting and happy and adventurous.

That sounds like a crazy rough week! Being responsible for these life-and-death matters can make it so hard for us to experience the good things in life again. I hope your Bible, coffee, and run brought you some joy and contentment!

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

I do jigsaw puzzles while I listen to murder mystery audiobooks (yes, I am a nerd). This too shall pass!

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

I enjoy mochas. Listening to my music. And sometimes when I'm leaving, I sing and dance the "I get to go home" song. I can also be occasionally found at 8am happy hours (supermarkets that sell beer!). Come home, zone out to TV (right now it is Little House on the Prairie).

For nursing, I tend to remind myself that nursing is 24-hours. I try my best to make sure I get everything done and don't leave a mess for the next shift. Sometimes I even decompress at work for a few minutes by doing something that I've been 'wanting' to do for a while, or just make the next shift start smoother.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I'm sorry you've had a rough patch, I know that feeling. I wouldn't be the best to ask for a way to find peace, I tend to be a bit too wound up at times. Not outwardly, or so I've been told, but I'm a constant second-guesser that feels a bit of insecurity in my current position given my level of experience. I guess when I leave at the end of every shift, I try to think about some positive that I brought to my patient during the shift. Then I try to just leave work at work and focus my time and energy on my family, friends, church and the things that bring me joy.

I'm also working towards moving into palliative and hospice care, which I think will help me bring the peace I hope to bring to others.

[Oldmahubbard]

I work on my genealogy and get the perspective of history.

[HelloWish, ADN, BSN]

A walk on a nature trail or floating in a swimming pool all by myself, although to shut my mind off I have to get lost in Netflix.

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

8 hours ago, LibraSunCNM said:

I do jigsaw puzzles while I listen to murder mystery audiobooks (yes, I am a nerd). This too shall pass!

I do crosswords and watch forensic files. Nerds unite!

[brownbook]

Sometimes I just "lean into it". Believe in, visualize, the darkest black cloud I can imagine. See it enveloping me, breath it, be a part of it, don't fight it. It's real, it's there, live with it.

Almost as soon as I do this the dark clouds lessen and, as all things do, eventually it passes, the clouds lighten, maybe not all sunshine and rainbows, but the clouds will lighten.