Inappropriate nurse support groups

Recovering_RN · Jun 20, 2018

I actually enjoyed my nurse support group meetings. I had to quit going due to my work schedule when I got a new job, but I liked them. Sometimes it was emotional while others it was just mundane life stuff, but I liked it cuz I felt like everyone there could really relate to me. I only shared as much as I was comfortable with but that was more than anything I'd ever share with coworkers, and others probably shared more than me. I originally went thinking it would be like an NA meeting and we'd talk about recovery, NA/AA principles etc, but it was nothing at all like that. We just go around the room and each person says what's going on in their lives, whether it's personal, with kids and spouses, or work related. Often it had nothing to do with recovery, but then all of life is about recovery, and all those little stressors can challenge a person's recovery. So yeah, it was kind of therapy-like, but I liked that. One thing I never forgot though was that anyone there, especially the facilitator, could get in touch with TPAPN to report on me, so I knew never to admit to breaking any rules at all (not that I would drink or use, that's not even an option! But going camping instead of attending my NA meetings, working an extra shift that put me into 4 hours of overtime, stuff like that).

If you're not comfortable sharing personal details, just talk about work, or monitoring issues like paperwork, the drug screens, etc. Anything that's on your mind that you need to talk about, get advice about etc, that other people who are not in monitoring wouldn't understand.

allnurses Guide · Jun 20, 2018

My weekly support group was like a gaggle of some of the best nurses along with a few you wondered how they were ever licensed in the first place. As for it feeling inappropriate, I didn't have a choice about going or not. I remember one meeting where we spent the whole hour and half listening to one member wailing and moaning about the antics of her 35 year old adult daughter. Not sure how that helped any of us except to teach tolerance but it seemed to help her.

Hppy

caliotter3 · Jun 20, 2018

Are you attending because you want to attend, or are you attending because you are forced to attend? That distinction could mean the difference. If you are being forced to attend, keep in mind that this won't last forever.

LindsayRNL · Jun 20, 2018

I'm attending because I am forced to attend to remain in compliance. In the end I take what I can from them and move on. I'm 4 years into the program but some of the topics and details shared and pried from participants I feel are inappropriate.

caliotter3 · Jun 20, 2018

When other attendees start getting inappropriate, I would just remain silent. Seems I read that another person who frequents this forum spends a lot of time on his phone during meetings. Or, you could always just daydream or think about something else that really is important. Best wishes for a successful journey through all of this.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2018

I will frankly straight up say that I go because I am forced to. Ditto with the AA, etc. meetings. At the end of this nightmare, neither will ever see my face again and I will miss them like one would miss a yeast infection. I've been in a few different ones based on having moved around, generally because I've had to go where I could to get work. Two of them were addictions focused, which being mental health, I felt like square peg in a round hole. Two, including the current one are mental health focused which are almost useful in that I don't feel awkward as all get out. I still say very little simply because I have a hard time not being bitter and angry. I am just doing my time and looking toward the end. I prefer the 'if I can't say anything nice (or helpful) don't say anything at all" principal.

Recovering_RN · Jun 20, 2018

Seems I read that another person who frequents this forum spends a lot of time on his phone during meetings.

Where is Spanked, anyway? I miss his comments! He hasn't been around here lately.

caliotter3 · Jun 20, 2018

Where is Spanked, anyway? I miss his comments! He hasn't been around here lately.

I know. I always look for his posts too.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2018

I think since he got to go back to the ER, he's probably very busy. Given that one of his biggest upsets was the drop in income, I imagine that he's hitting the overtime pretty hard. But, yeah I miss his comments too.

Persephone Paige, ADN · Jun 20, 2018

My comment disappeared. The inmates are running the asylum in my group. We haven't had a facilitator for the last 3/4 groups and we're only getting a $10 discount. On boy, isn't that special?

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2018

Cheez and rice!!!!! So you're like paying the facilitator for a coffee klatch that they don't even have to come to? That's lovely. Figures....cue audible eye roll.....