How to handle getting overwhelmed...

[HelloWish, ADN, BSN]

Since I have been a nurse I have broken down in tears numerous times from getting overwhelmed. I have been a nurse for about 1 year, and I think I have broken out in tears 5 times in front of co-workers. I was a floor nurse for 9 months and now I have worked at an oncology clinic for the last 3 months. The oncology clinic has seen me cry only once so far...I am the type of person who holds everything in until I burst.

Sometimes the importance of what I have to do and how much I have to do gets so overwhelming that I break out in tears.

I am not a crier, but I guess when I get overwhelmed I am. Generally I don't cry, but in the last year this has happened. I can feel it coming on until I can no longer hold it in and then I start crying in front of everyone. I have absolutely no control over it and it is very embarrassing.

It happened on Friday. I was fortunate that everyone came together to help me with my tasks and were super supportive but I am still embarrassed.

I don't want to be seen as unstable like I am going to lose it at any moment! I am usually known for being calm and handling stress well.

Any suggestions on how I can prevent this? I like my job overall. I just need to know how to stop this so I don't get a reputation of losing it! I know it will take some time to get to the point where I don't feel so overwhelmed since I am still a new nurse.

[Cherokeegirl08]

It probably wouldn't be a bad idea if you saw a therapist. Also, a little self care works wonders too. By that I mean if you have a hobby concentrate on that when you're off work. Journal and get your feelings out. Exercise and work out tension. Make sure you get enough sleep. I understand holding things in until you burst, I have a tendency to do that myself. It's NOT Healthy!!! Please, please see a therapist to talk out your frustrations and learn how to deal with them. I also recommend checking out Cognitive Behavoral Therapy. A google search will bring up many self help resources. Good luck!!!

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Plus one to everything Cherokeegirl said. Therapy and self-care are the friends of many of us new-ish nurses.

It may help to pinpoint where the tipping point is for your feelings of being overwhelmed. Is it needing a better system of organization, dealing with difficult patients and families, lack of confidence in your clinical knowledge? Once you have an idea of what gets to you and causes these feelings, you may be able to develop a plan to overcome them.

[gcupid]

welcome to nursing...

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

I can't believe I'm going to do this, but the Wikipedia entry on this is actually very comprehensive, accurate and informative. It does not take the place of the assistance of a trained professional, but is excellent food for thought...

Coping (psychology) - Wikipedia

I think it's very healthy and a good sign that you acknowledge that you *are* going to become overwhelmed at times, vs. asking us how to prevent that from even happening. The thing is, once you are able to, most likely with the help of others, discover your personal coping mechanisms, you will find yourself less overwhelmed over time. Also, coming here for guidance shows that you recognize that your current coping strategies are either maladaptive or malnourished.

I do think you'll succeed.

[NurseRoRo]

*Deeb Breaths*

Make sure you have something in your down time that you enjoy so you can take care of yourself. Even if you don't think things are getting to you on a recognizable level, they're obviously festering inside if you find yourself bursting into tears. That being said, I am the worst person to give advice about this. I am a people pleaser, and I like working in stressful environment and kicking a** at it. But when I am stressed or more likely....super peeved at something, it all comes out as a giant episode of sobbing.

I've sadly sobbed at work from sheer frustration and exhaustion. It's embarrassing and I am sure I looked like a total nut. My coworkers were toxic and the entire situation turned out better once I left that job. However, it made me realize what I wasn't doing as far as caring for myself. I think in the work we do, it's sometimes hard not to have stuff pull at your heartstrings or for you to get fired up about something that someone may not feel the same way about it, etc.

I enjoyed volunteering at the humane society on my days off. However, I ended up bringing a dog home the first week.

[llg, PhD, RN]

..I am the type of person who holds everything in until I burst.

Maybe you shouldn't hold everything in until you burst. Let it out sooner, when it is still little. Recognize when you are starting to feel a little overwhelmed ... when the tension is just starting to build. Respond to it. Ask someone to help you with some of your tasks. Or at least comment to colleague about it and ask for some advice on how to prioritize things and get organized. That may help ease the pressure a bit before you get overwhelmed.

Good luck.

[DeeAngel]

I used to go into work 30 minutes early to sit down and get all my patient information written down so the second report is done I was ready to go to work and knew who needed what and when. That alone will greatly reduce your anxiety and start you out on the shift with nothing to "get caught up on". Search this forum and you will find many examples of personal nursing worksheets to get organized.

I have enclosed a copy of the worksheet I used to use, it's an Excel file so feel free to change it to suit yourself. I would make copies at work and keep them in a folder in my locker.

Report Worksheet.xls

[milmom35]

Journalling can be very therapeutic. You can even write down short notes on your cellphone during your workday. Work can take over your life, so make time for other things that you like: fun outings, getting outdoors and spending time with others outside the industry (otherwise you end up talking about work all the time!).