How do I leave it all at work?

[RFRN]

I am a fairly new RN (working just over 1 year now) and I work in an OBGYN clinic as an kind of float nurse - working the floor with the MAs and LPNs, phone triage, assisting with in office procedures, IVs, etcs. I feel I am doing well with the exception of when I work triage. It seems I always do this on Fridays and I always end up with one patient who sticks in my head all weekend. I worry about them - should I have given them difference advice, sent them to the hospital for an evaluation, asked different questions to assess them, if I didn't get a response back from my doc will they be ok to wait until Monday for an answer to their issue? I always check my recommendations with a doc or other triage nurse if I am unsure but I find myself still thinking about these patients.

I really need to find a way to leave all this at work and not let it worry me but finding it difficult. A lot of the other nurses I speak with about this say it gets better the longer you are a nurse. They say when you have more experience you will just be more confident and realize you are giving good recommendations. Anyone have good recommendations for leaving it all at work or stopping yourself from questioning every decision you make? Or does it just get better with time and experience?

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

Set up a routine that separates work from home. I take the bus and I find the brief walk from the bus stop to home is great to help de-escalate from work to home.

If something is really nagging you, send yourself an email - to your work email - so that you can address it first thing Monday am.

I know its difficult - I've had a pt in crisis on Friday and I do wonder over the weekend. But I've learned that there is really nothing I can do from home even if the pt is still unwell.

I think it is very important to separate work from home - we deal with so many emotionally exhausting things at work that you need that break.

It does get easier with time.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

I agree, it gets easier with time.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

I do the very best I can at work and then I walk away. I have to, or I would not be a functional person.

There are 2-3 cases that cross my mind repeatedly, but I smile and file them away for another time.

I love the idea of emailing yourself. I also do a worry box. I put my worries in it and set a designated time to take them out and address them. After many years I have become pretty good at that.

[Nurseforkiddos]

When I first started working, I found this to be one of the most important nursing skills I had to learn. What has worked well for me is this: I made a rule for myself that I'm allowed to cry and worry and be upset on the car ride home. But once I get out of the car, I have to put it aside. This has really helped me. Often times when you're on shift, you don't have time to really think about or process what's going on with your pts, but you need to do this. It's part of being human. But you also have to limit yourself because it can drive you crazy. I recommend choosing an allotted amount of time that you can spend after work reflecting, but then make sure you stop yourself from thinking about it the rest of the time.

[Guest717236]

Give yourself time, it takes experience over a few years to really gain

confidence. You are doing the right thing, checking with the MD or other

nurses if you are not sure.

When you get home, take up an interest. Mine was dance. I took dance classes

at least 3 times a week. Moving made me concentrate on the moment, and

I had to put work aside. If the weather was such that I could not make dance

class, I practiced at home for an hour. :dancgrp:

Find what hobby or interest you are passionate about and make that your

haven away from your professional life.

[Katie5]

I do the very best I can at work and then I walk away. I have to, or I would not be a functional person.

There are 2-3 cases that cross my mind repeatedly, but I smile and file them away for another time.

I love the idea of emailing yourself. I also do a worry box. I put my worries in it and set a designated time to take them out and address them. After many years I have become pretty good at that.

This is a very good recommendation- usually if you feel you did not do your best or could have done more, it nags at you. But when you're sure, that you exhausted all possible resources in meeting a need, then you can safely leave work at work.

And it gets better with time as long as you continue to give your best work. Otherwise, shoddy work is shoddy work and that will haunt, unless you just don't care

[Biffbradford]

Vodka.

Seriously, do something immediately after work that diverts your mind so work is not the last thing on your mind when you wind down for the day. Work out, do gardening, anything. Then work is one step removed from your immediate consciousness.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

I don't know, b/c I never had this problem. I never gave a moments thought to a patent after I left their room, lol. I'd suggest exercise or meditation.

[RNKPCE]

Doesn't happen often but I leave my worries at the church I pass on the way home. Sometimes it follows me for a few more miles then I try to leave it on the freeway onramp. I can always pick it back up on my way back in for my next shift. It doesn't always work but that is what I try to do. So find a drop off spot for your troubles and try it.

[NoAverageLPN]

Vodka.

BAAHHHAAA!!!!! I prefer Vitamin Bud Lite!

I don't know, b/c I never had this problem. I never gave a moments thought to a patent after I left their room, lol. I'd suggest exercise or meditation.

Really?? You have never had one situation or case that has stuck with you?? I am not sure if I am in awe or I feel sorry for you?

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Look, I think too many nurses on here think they should be superwoman/superman.

You are only human after all. Have you thought about why you are doubting yourself? You can only give a patient so much info, because if you gave them too much, u would overload them and we only retain about a third of the info we see/hear.

I usually go home and write in my journal to get it out b4 I go to sleep. Also at work, maybe have a little checklist you keep in your pocket to go thru with patients. The patients won't mind, and they don't have to see it either, just keep it on a clipboard or out of sight. That may help.

I used to turn the same scenarios when I was a student over & over in my mind, till I realised that situation has already happened - learn and move on, or drive myself to crazy distraction. This is what u need to do.

Also if you think you have made a mistake, or left something out, ring in and let the other nurses know. This would help ease ur mind too.