How to keep ideals intact when dealing with the realities of nursing?

Be_Moore · Jun 9, 2009

You will probably go through a cycle. I did. It started out "Yay helping people." As stress levels started to increase it turned into "I'm a med passing machine, I don't help people or even care." As I got more comfortable in my role, more efficient at doing my job, it's back to the original "Yay helping people!"

The stress is going to come, but as you become more proficient, the stress will peel away. More or less. It did for me.

onetiredmomma · Jun 9, 2009

Welcome to nursing!! First: don't let the naysayers get you down. Steer clear of them (if possible) and try to avoid getting into the whine and moan rut. Secondly, recognize that there is no heaven on earth: life has ups and downs and so does work!. Learn the signs of burnout and act on them..be kind to you. Lastly, the Serenity Prayer...accompanied with 5 slow deep breaths does wonders for stress relief. Good luck!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2009

You just stick to your guns. It's when you start cutting corners that you start slipping over to the other (Dark) side. Ha! Ha! It takes a strong, confident self-esteem to practice what you learned in school. Don't break down and listen to people who will try to persuade you to come over to the Dark side. You'll thank yourself the first time you hear about someone who gets written up or messes up big time because they didn't follow rules or ideals instilled in nursing school and they get into a heap of trouble. You will be so relieved that you are doing the right thing. When you do it the right way you don't have to worry about guilt or looking behind you all the time to see who's watching and taking notes.

RNperdiem, RN · Jun 9, 2009

You eventually work out some balance. Some working days, you will have the time to have the conversations with the lonely, leave your patients spotless, perform well and leave feeling proud. Other days, you will be the med passing machine.

Before I had kids, I had read all the books and knew all the things I should do.

I still believe in the ideals of proper nutrition even though my kids don't always eat their vegetables.

florianslove · Jun 9, 2009

Try to go in every day with a positive attitude. Know that you will make a difference on most days. Some days are not great, but in most instances, the good days really do outweigh the bad.

Good Luck,

Roxann:yeah:

Cherybaby · Jun 9, 2009

I always try to be the nurse with the rose colored glasses on. I find that I do not have a problem with my patients. I always have a good attitude with them. The problem I usually encounter is from the older nurses who are a bit burnt out. They get annoyed with my chipper attitude. When I feel them starting to rub off on me, I try to take a break and regroup. I remember why I am there...to help my patients, not to make pals. Don't get me wrong...it is always nice to be friendly and affable with the people you are working with. It makes for a better atmosphere. But, when the pessimists start their moaning and groaning, I absorb myself deeply in my work and try not to pay attention.

Deep breaths, breaks if you can take them, serenity prayers...whatever you can do. Mostly, focus on the reasons you became a nurse in the first place...the exciting feeling that it gives you to do right by your patients.

And of course, venting here is ALWAYS a good thing!

Good luck!