I just had an emotional breakdown at work. I couldn't stop crying, I yelled at co-workers who didn't deserve it, cried in front of several doctors and was barely able to care for my patients, I made a idiot of myself to my manager.....down....down....down until I realized that I needed to leave. I didn't see it comming....it just hit me all of a sudden. Yes there are alot of things going on in my personal life....last child left the nest...another pregnant...etc that I know we all have going on. Then at work we got started late with report, MD's wanting information NOW!, orders not put in from previous shift, drains backing-up in patients rooms.....supplies missing...etc. It was just too much. I ended up leaving early due to my request and insistance of my manager. My replacement arrived 30 min later. I was still crying..barely able to give report to her and finish my charting.
Now (several hours later and at home) I feel so ashamed, How can I face the people that I work with? I have been given several letters and awards of recognition during the last couple of months for being an excellent Nurse in my department. I feel like I have let everyone I work with down. And my patients down. I didn't cry in front of my patients or feel I compromised their care-but felt I could have if I had finished the shift.
Has this happened to any of you? How did you handle it when you went back to work? I've only been a Nurse for 5 years now and I feel so exhausted.
I have had melt-downs at work in the past, and have wittnessed the melt-downs of others.
I got a little teary in front of a co-worker at work yesterday, r/t to some stupid paperwork screw-up. I've been feeling really embarrssed about it, and am so glad I came across this thread.
As nurses, we do the impossible every day. We put up with the impossible. We are responsible for EVERYTHING, and it all comes at us at once, relentlessly. Only a robot would never cave in.
I don't think professional help is warranted in unikuelady's situation. Reducing some of your work-load and letting go of extra projects may be all that's needed. If you're feeling overwhelmed and stessed-out became routine, and you doubted ability to cope on a daily basis, THEN I'd think professional help would be in order.
It sounds like you have a lot of insight. You have thought about your situation, contributing factors, and are acting to make changes. Good going!
I am liking this thread. I too have melted down at work. It happens to the best of us. The last time I melted down, I called in sick for a week and went back rested and acted as if nothing had happened. Take as much time as you need and do whatever it takes...
On another note:
As a man, I melt down in a much different way. Crying is not an option. I find that if a woman melts down that she gets support and understanding. When a man melts down, he gets labeled a nut or gets disciplined. How do the other guys feel?
Meltdown is part of the job (I'm hoping.) I had a near melt down all week! Too much stress, kidney infection, dysfunctional uterine bleeding (welcome to the wonderful world of menopause), and families who need a full time, 24 hr nurse all to them selves. This has been one of the worst weeks I've ever worked. My co-workers all understand, they've done the same themselves. It happens to all of us.
When the girls get overwhelmed at work the more acceptable response is the same as the guys do....we usually get quiet, stay to ourselves or step out of the unit for a minute to compose ourselves if we are about to the point of 'losing it' for any reason: docs, families, what have you. Maybe we have socialized this expectation into the group: we take enough abuse from others, so we do NOT abuse one another.
What's NOT acceptable is hollering at coworkers,throwing a fit, slamming things around, etc....I guess I don't see a double standard...We're about 40-60 guys to gals in my ICU...we seem to cope similarly in my ICU, guys and girls. Maybe cuz we all have the critical care personalities and understand one another, I dunno.... most of us pull together in a war zone type atmosphere...LOL!
Taking a 'time out' to count to ten is a necessity sometimes.
Just had the same episode, I almost destroyed my marriage, but the last minut, I asked my husband I need help. Right now, I'm taking care myself too. Talk to a proffesional, it doesnt help and it saved my life. Our work is very stressful,if nobody tells me I did a good job, I give myself a pat in the back.
Its me again. I ended up taking a week off of work. I made an appointment with my Manager and met with her today. We talked and problem solved for over 2 hours. I feel that she heard and understood my situation and I feel that I heard and understood her assessment of the situation. She agreed with the assessment that I was being too hard on myself. She also told me that one of the MDs who I cried in front of went to her with concern for my well being, as well as the co-workers I worked with that day. We discussed taking a break from all of the special projects that I have been doing and going back to "just caring for my patients", changing my work area and possibly going to night shift (what was I thinking of?). I felt very cared for. I feel very fortunate to work people who have truly become my "second family". I'm going back to work tomorrow-so we will see how it goes. Many Many thanks to all of you who have responded to this thread. I am so thankful to have this forum for support and information. ((((((((((everyone)))))))))).
Bless you and the people at work, including your manager, coworkers and the astute physician who cared enough about you and your skills to express concern...we are here for you...Take care.....
I have to say that just because I am a woman, when I cry it is an embarrassment to me at work....Mostly I think the tears come when I am just so exasperated or upset and not because I don't think I can handle it. It is tough to be a woman in a stress related environment and then have what can seem like pacification when you cry....Most of us feel as horrible about having tears get in the way as a man does......
Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN
2 Articles; 3,563 Posts
What a wonderful thread!
I have had melt-downs at work in the past, and have wittnessed the melt-downs of others.
I got a little teary in front of a co-worker at work yesterday, r/t to some stupid paperwork screw-up. I've been feeling really embarrssed about it, and am so glad I came across this thread.
As nurses, we do the impossible every day. We put up with the impossible. We are responsible for EVERYTHING, and it all comes at us at once, relentlessly. Only a robot would never cave in.
I don't think professional help is warranted in unikuelady's situation. Reducing some of your work-load and letting go of extra projects may be all that's needed. If you're feeling overwhelmed and stessed-out became routine, and you doubted ability to cope on a daily basis, THEN I'd think professional help would be in order.
It sounds like you have a lot of insight. You have thought about your situation, contributing factors, and are acting to make changes. Good going!
(((((((((((((Group hug for all of us!))))))))))))
We deserve it!