How do you handle work stress?

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2012

first of all, my question is how young is this young man you speak of, in order to keep my answer pg13... anyway depending on the level of stress, i usually take a nice shot of my favorite drink like "jagermeister" then hit the gym and work my frustrations on the pouching bag... and it usually does the trick :thankya:

Ted · Mar 21, 2012

I watch a lot of Dexter. . . . . I watch and learn. . . . LOL! (Just kidding :clown: )

It will be interesting to read the varied responses. Me? First, I really do like my job. This helps. (I feel very lucky.) Also, I basically keep work at work and home at home. At work, I give the best 12 hours that I can. At home, I do what I need to do to maintain my household maintain my involvement with some fairly time-intensive hobbies. Of course I have to say that hanging out here is a place to seek and share information, seek and share support and just relax. Establishing some level of involvement here can be very helpful after all it is a nursing-focused bulletin board.

In a nutshell?? Maintain a balance in life. Yes. . . this in itself requires some work, but it's well worth the effort especially if one is in the nursing profession for the long run.

One more thing. . . When at work and while at work, be involved. Join committees (if your facility has them) so that you have opportunities to at least "have YOUR say" on how things are managed.

4theBetterGetter, RN · Mar 21, 2012

Thanks for the response,

I'm 17, but I'm mature enough to handle any answers as long as they are honest.

4theBetterGetter, RN · Mar 21, 2012

Thanks for the reply.

You said you work 12-hour shifts, which part of the day is most stressful for you?

Another thing, both my parents are nurses... how do you keep from your work affecting your home life?

If my parents come home from a stressful day, its just best to stay out of their way or they will jump down my throat for the littlest of things... Any tips on how a child of a nurse could make it easier for their parents?

Ted · Mar 21, 2012

Thanks for the reply.
You said you work 12-hour shifts, which part of the day is most stressful for you?
Another thing, both my parents are nurses... how do you keep from your work affecting your home life?
If my parents come home from a stressful day, its just best to stay out of their way or they will jump down my throat for the littlest of things... Any tips on how a child of a nurse could make it easier for their parents?

Which part of the day is most stressful for you?

This is a somewhat complicated question for me because I'm actually going through a fair amount of stress now, not related to work. Ummmm. . . Normally, I'm most "stressed" when I don't get enough sleep or don't eat right. Working nights (which I do), it's important to maintain one's sleep pattern and ensure good eating habits. When too tired and/or too hungry, the simplest thing can be quite stressful (both in and outside of work).

How do you keep from your work affecting your home life?

Well. . . my wife is also a nurse. We have no children. We have a pretty healthy, trusting, caring and loving relationship. This, of course, helps. We're free to talk about work with each other if there's anything on our minds. Once we get any lingering concerns/frustrations of work off our chest we move on and live our life. It's a mind-set. A sense of humor is really helpful, too!

Any tips on how a child of a nurse could make it easier for their parents?

First, that is a very thoughtful question especially if it's sincerely coming from a "child of a nurse" (or any child of any parent). But like I said, my wife and I have no children. That extra "stress" does not exist in our lives. I honestly don't have any "parent-like" answer to offer. Do your chores. Keep out of trouble. Get good grades. Make a million dollars and give it to you parents. How are these for tips?!? LOL!

Best wishes as you continue on with your study. :)

mazy · Mar 22, 2012

This may sound like a joke but it is the honest truth: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The whole set, I watch it when I am low. Keeps me human and has gotten me through some of the worst times of my life -- both personally and professionally.

But you'll have to put me in the "weirdo" category. :cool:

LuvScience · Mar 22, 2012

You're not the only weirdo, Mazy! I watched the entire set while my husband was deployed last year.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 23, 2012

Hands down, I think the most stressful part of being a nurse is being viewed as responsible for EVERYTHING, even when it's not your department. Patients, managers, doctors, and the public in general have this idea that we are superhuman and can fix anything, at any time, no matter whether we have expertise in that particular arena.......which also means that we get the blame when things don't go well.

Some of the things I regularly catch flak for (plus what I would love to be able to say in response and what I actually do say):

The TV doesn't work. (I have no control whatsoever as to how soon Comcast will be out when a freak snowstorm knocks out the cable, and the last time I checked, I didn't go to school to be a TV repairman. But, "OK, I'll call them again to see how long they might be.")

Resident laundry. (Do I look like a laundress? I have no idea where Mom's dainties are right now, but "I'll check on that for you.")

Supplies......or the lack thereof. (The only thing I order, ever, is medical supplies.....I don't even know where the Depends or the ostomy bags come from, this is why we have care managers, but "I'll get back to you as soon as I check with them.")

Terrible food, cold coffee, soup's too salty ad nauseam. (Sheesh, am I wearing a chef's hat?! Besides, how would YOU like to keep 85 people happy on our food budget?!. But, "We'll do the best we can to step up our food service; I'll let the dietary manager know of your concerns.")

There should be a nurse on duty 24 hours a day! What kind of place is this!? (It's assisted living---if you want 24/7 nursing, you'll have to move Dad to that building across the street. It's called a "nursinghome". BUT, "I'm available 24 hours a day, and our caregivers are trained to call me at any time of the day or night if a situation arises that requires assessment by a licensed nurse.")

And so forth, and so on. That is where the majority of my stress comes from, and it's what I vent about at home and here on Allnurses. I don't mind being responsible for the stuff that's within my purview; even if something goes sideways, I'm the first to take ownership of it and make it right no matter what it takes. It's being held accountable for stuff that's totally out of my control that wears me down.......and I'd bet a majority of nurses feel the same.