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?
I do fiber crafts (yarn, crochet thread). Currently I tat (not tattoos!). I'm making jewelry for family members. Then I think I'll head back on into knitting...
I like to crochet with my favorite yarns, lift weights, and listen to metal, post-hardcore, metalcore, rock, and '00s emo music. I don't know why the last thing helps--seems counterproductive, but it's not. Sometimes I watch Scrubs or some medical drama, which usually helps and occasionally makes me burst into tears, if it hits too close to home. But even that is cathartic.
I second the dogs for an instant mood lift. Hard to stay down with that kind of complete adoration literally staring you in the face. Getting lost in a book does wonders for turning my brain in another direction also. Watching TV is a good distraction but if I'm really in a funk turning off and tuning out with a good book is better.
I've found the hubby is sometimes more of a hindrance than a help. He's not in healthcare at all and just doesn't get it so ***ing to him about my day usually ends up just being more frustrating. Though there are times when I am trying to explain exactly why my day was so bad that just hearing myself makes me realize how silly I can sound about it and maybe my day wasn't really as bad as I worked myself up to it being!
Coming here to AN is also extremely therapeutic. Reading other peoples sometimes truly horrid stories about their job makes me realize I am nowhere near alone in having the occasional bad day and there's plenty of nurses out there that have things way worse than I do.
I've found the hubby is sometimes more of a hindrance than a help. He's not in healthcare at all and just doesn't get it so ***ing to him about my day usually ends up just being more frustrating.
I have a boyfriend, not a husband, but I definitely relate to this. He's very sympathetic but sometimes he just does not get it. Most people cannot understand what it's like to have death be just a normal day on the job.
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?
Life is like a river..you can't fight its currents but just let things flow. Each time you try to make waves, the river doesn't care. It flows as it always has before..and once you make peace with that, you'll realize that things are not so complicated anymore. And as Padre Pio would say.."pray, and don't worry!" Leave the rest to God.
For awhile I used to have a glass of wine when I got home and then turned in 2, then 3 and so on. I realized that got out of hand.
i started to pray and remember what I have to be grateful for and focused on that. Then therapy and talking with personal friends who are nurses.
Lately, while at work, I stop myself in the moment and tell myself “ You can do this!” Simple as that and I am able to calm myself. Mind you, it wasn’t easy at first and sometimes it doesn’t last long and I’m back into being stressed out. It’s a process I’m continually working on and I’ve been nurse for over 30 years.
I don’t know if I’ve never been cut out to handle stress well (personally) or the stress is just not humanly compatible to normal functioning.
But I press on as this is all I’ve ever wanted to do in life and still want to try to find a way to survive in. I’ve changed settings and specialties. Still stressful in some way or another. If it’s not life and death it’s volume of work and unrealistic expectations ....well then that’s everywhere nowadays.
I think of police officers and military with PTSD who are messed up as a result .
NuggetsHuman, BSN, RN
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