how to leave work frustrations at work and not at home??

Reese17 · Apr 29, 2010

I am in the same boat as you, I'm a new nurse and have been working for a month...I go home and constantly review my day in my head, I feel guilty about having to pass on my work to the oncoming nurse, at times. I think we need to learn to just let it go at the door. Do you have hobbies that you enjoy doing? With time and experience I'm sure we will learn to let go off all the frustrations at work. Good luck to u. :nurse:

LifelongDream · Apr 30, 2010

I am just finishing my 8th month. I still experience what you are talking about. Fortunately, it doesn't seem to happen as often. Hang in there or go back to you previous profession like I'm doing! The anxiety is eating me alive and I'm not normally an anxious person. I'm planning on working PRN so that I can work it at my own pace. We'll see how it goes...

Ace587RN, RN · Apr 30, 2010

spent some good time browsing allnurses . Visit the bloopers section!

dmdmd · Apr 30, 2010

Sounds like you have a lot to cope with. Does your employer have an EAP? (Employee assistance program for counseling?) If so, check it out. Sometimes it just helps to talk to someone out of the sitch. Don't leave nursing just because you are in a bad place. Change your place. Don't let it ruin your marraige either. Hopefully, your husband will be there long after you can't work any more.

Good luck! :nurse:

cebuana_nurse · May 7, 2010

Thanks for all the encouragement! @ Ace587RN, will definitely look for the section. @dmdmd, will probably look on for another job. Something less stressful I guess.

november17, ASN, RN · May 8, 2010

Its going to happen to you a lot. Its part of the learning experience.

LoveANurse09 · May 9, 2010

From what I have learned all areas of nursing are stressful, you will probably experience this everywhere. Especially with employers trying to get more work done with less staff. But good luck in your search, you may find that perfect fit for you.

Misslady113 · May 13, 2010

Try yoga or meditation. It really helps to relax your mind and body and gives you a moment to focus on just you. Also try to live in the moment, and not the past. So many times we are physically in the present, but our minds are all over the place in the past (what could've been) or the future (what will be). Try to focus on what's going on at the very present moment and if the thoughts of the past come by, try to block it out by singing a song or thinking of a more pleasent memory. Someone once said to think of the thought as a cloud and as it comes let it just pass by like clouds do in the sky. Force it out of your mind or it will take over. Good luck to you.:redbeathe

Donnuh · May 13, 2010

I believe that family support or any type of emotional support would be a great help. I find that when I had a hard day during my preceptorship I could vent to my bf and friends and it helped me feel better. Also, try to find a good comedy to watch! It really helps. It is too bad but from what I heard a lot of old nurses eat their young :sniff: . My instructor told me you have to walk in there with confidence even though you are scared crapless. Ask when you need help but show that you are confidence and won't take b.s. Show that you are assertive and won't tolerate b.s. She told me that was what she did and nobody had ever picked on her. I have not tried it because I am still job hunting, but it is hard to be confidence when you are a new grad! Hope all go well for you, hang in there you will have more better days as time passed and it will be worth it!:redpinkhe

mustlovepoodles, RN · May 13, 2010

What are you doing when you get home other than ruminating on everything you did wrong and how much your coworkers hate you? As Dr. Phil would say, how's that workin' for ya? Not good? Then you have to change it.

As an experienced nurse of 34 years I can certainly sympathize with you. It's hard to be a new learner and low man on the totem pole. You can't change the way other people think of you and really, it's none of your business. They will think whatever they want. What you can change is how you react to it. If you are not doing healthy things to comfort and support yourself then you're going to remain stuck in this "place."

I suggest first that you spend less time talking about and perseverating about your patients. Leave work at work. Be sure that when you are at home you are spending at least 15 minutes of quality quiet time with your husband--and this doesn't include venting about work! Engage in at least one hobby a few times a week and participate in at least one physical activity every day. Refuse to discuss work or complain about work when you are not at work. I know this isn't easy when all you want to do is spill your guts, but truthfully? it doesn't help as much as you think.

What happens at work, stays at work. You can't change the past so don't continue to rehash it. If you can do these other things, it will improve your mental health greatly and will definitely take some pressure off your marriage. Remember that work is what you do; everything else is who you are. You're a nurse, but you're so much more. Get your life back in balance and find out who you are. :nurse: