How to stop crying at clinicals?

advsmuch08 · Mar 9, 2015

I find that drinking cool water is helpful for holding back tears.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 9, 2015

You have received pretty good suggestions on not breaking down at clinicals.

I've been in this business since I was 19; I learned really quick on how to self preserve, and remain calm. You may need to seek professional help as to how to handle dealing with challenging people and situations; learn to reheorifice how to respond to situations; look yourself in the mirror and replay what situations you were in, and how you can respond better, especially because similar situations may arise, mainly because nurses are faced with people, including our peers in the most vulnerable and stressful situations.

It will take practice, but knowing how to appropriately handle stressful situations takes practice and can be done.

Best wishes. (((HUGS)))

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Mar 10, 2015

I find that drinking cool water is helpful for holding back tears.

Good to know!!!!

laceym · Mar 15, 2015

I really appreciate this topic because I am dealing with crying at my job as a nurse. Thank you all for putting out great tips and ideas-extremely helpful.

I cried two times during nursing clinicals-two very sad cases. The first time I was able to hide in bathroom and no one saw-phew! The second time I broke down as we were walking down from the unit to the cafeteria. I appreciated my peers and my instructor-they made me feel validated for crying about the situation my patient was in at the time.

Now dealing with crying at my job as a nurse. NOT COOL! I am so exhausted just like you said in your post. I know the reason why I am crying-stress. My managers are such douches they think it is because of things outside of work?!? I can't stand them which stresses me out even more and makes me cry...Right now I giggle because it sounds so ridiculous. Bottom line-find the root of the problem (what is triggering the crying). I didn't see OP-but this can be more than just one thing. Ask for help. BE MINDFUL-listen to your body, slow down, and put you first. We cannot help patients get healthy if we are not healthy ourselves.