This is more than embarrassing.. I just cried at a staff meeting. I've been working 3rd shift on a very busy/heavy floor for over a year, and since that day have been severely understaffed with few prospects for change in the horizon (although always promised things will get better but never do). I'd detail more but I think you get the gist.
Back to my embarrassing moment. The women and men I work with are phenomenal and we each take turns being to glue that holds us all together, but today during a staff meeting I just couldn't contain my frustration.. And frustration turned to tears.
I am so let down by myself. I feel like while my co-workers were holding it together (and keeping silent to get the meeting over with so we could sleep!) I just couldn't contain myself. The tears boiled over when I brought my concern for our decreasing quality of care due to staffing and was met with, " no you all are delivering great care! You're care is excellent!"
Tears.., everywhere. Because a) I'm frustrated that management doesn't understand, b) this compliment was completely unfounded (we all go home every day feeling like we could have done sooo much better, and c) my co-workers not wanting to stir the pot just smiled and nodded. Despite moments earlier carrying on about how things are getting so bad.
i wish I could have done the latter, but no, I teared up and the 5 women surrounding me pretended not to notice. I'm pretty humiliated that I let my guard down but I know I'm not wrong about why it happened.
Im considering emailing my manager and explaining myself but honestly I don't know that is the best option. I'm clearly a little burnt out but I would appreciate some input as to how I should handle this. Or maybe suggestions on how to deal with these types of emotions at work?
You are so strong. At the end of the day overworking people boils down to money. Sigh!
I don't see what's the point? What's going to happen when people start to leave because of understaffed conditions? Yeah they'll replace you, but how long until they'll need to replace that person?
I can definitely feel for your embarrassment. I won't lie, I would feel the same. You did not do anything wrong though and shame on the rest of your team for not being more supportive. When a staff member is reduced to tears then something is wrong and management needs to take notice. I've seen more than one nurse or cna finally break down and cry in frustration and baring any emergency my first priority is to pull them aside and give them a chance to express feeling/vent/cry it out & comfort them the best I can and bring it to the person above me immediately after that there is a big problem that needs to be addressed.
It sounds like no one above you cares/wants to even bother listening to the problems that need to be addressed, which is not right.
Statements in writing about problems, with multiple copies sent to the correct people can sometimes help. Are you union? If so can they become involved in any way?
Oh and to answer your question on how to deal with these emotions at work.... Best way I find is to find ways to get those emotions out when you are at home. Have someone you can vent to that you don't work with. My go to is my grandma. She has a wide range of knowledge on how the politics of health care works so she always understands and is able to sympathise with me...which is what I need when I'm just looking to vent. Find someone that can be your sympathetic ear, cry it out at Home if you need to, schedule time for yourself doing your favorite activities, and just plain make sure you are taking Care of yourself. When you feel upset at work sometimes a 5 minute bathroom break can go a long way and give you a chance to regroup yourself, helping you to be in a more calm position to take care of your pts and whatever else comes your way the rest of the shift.
A little delayed but I truly thank each of you for your input and support. I'm learning that my stubbornness for change and emotions (god forbid!) can help me gain support from my peers so that change can be made. It's not going to be easy, but I won't give up without a fight. Thank you all very much for keeping me on the path to make a difference in our profession.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Your tears should have been a sign that the camel's back is finally breaking. Not that management should need a sign. Declining patient and staff satisfaction rates? Increased fall rate? They have all the signs they need. Management isn't clueless; they know exactly how much money they're making off your back and they want to see just how far they can push it. Shame on your coworkers who sit stoic while being given patronizing pats on the head. They should be advocating for themselves and their patients and you shouldn't have to do it alone.
Management should be embarrassed about being so self-serving and money-grubbing. Your co-workers should be embarrassed for playing along without a fight. YOU have NOTHING to be embarrassed about. I agree with the previous posters: get out of there and save yourself. Good luck!
openyourmind
90 Posts
You are so strong. At the end of the day overworking people boils down to money. Sigh!
I don't see what's the point? What's going to happen when people start to leave because of understaffed conditions? Yeah they'll replace you, but how long until they'll need to replace that person?