Nurses, It's Time: Find a Happy Place Amidst Chaos

As a nurse, there’s always an opportunity for.. you know.. “One of THOSE days.” After my first medical/surgical job, I realized that chaos is as chaos does. If you harbor negativity, that day is only going to get worse. Things got so bad at one point that I was carrying affirmations in my pocket. Can I let you in on a little epiphany? It actually worked.

Nurses, It's Time: Find a Happy Place Amidst Chaos

One of my recent work days at the hospital was truly, inside and out, "one of those days." We were short staffed on my step-down unit and our charge nurse was in a tizzy. Everyone was maxed out with their patient load, and let me tell you, our patients were SICK. While I watched someone get wheeled out to emergent open heart surgery and heard the call bells ring with no mercy in the far reaches of my brain, I knew-- something had to give. As if on cue, my amazing new boss rounded the corner and came to a halting stop. "We have got to approach this differently because everyone is giving off this bad ju-ju in the air. What can I do, what can we do to fix it?" I smiled. She was right.

I hurried to my best friend on the unit and I gave her the look. Luckily, I was helping hands due to my orientee rocking the unit like she owned it. I grabbed an extra Nokia phone off of the charging dock and hit the ground running. Each one of my nurses and CNAs on the unit had my personal number to call for help, and let me tell you, that phone RANG!

The thing is, they needed help beyond measure. They needed it when it was just too hard to ask for it. This sounds ridiculous, but as nurses, I am sure you can relate. It's those moments when everything is crashing in on you, and your basic biologic triggers kick in begging for rest, relaxation and sustenance. At this point, you don't know what you need, you just know you just know you need something.

Please understand, I take great pride in my unit because my coworkers will lay down their well-being to make sure they are operating within a safe scope of practice. We are not perfect by any means, but we love what we do. And it shows. When a patient is brought to tears because a nurse stopped to help them to the bathroom, change a bed or just hold a hand-- we come to realize that the finer things in healthcare are coming to a mind-numbing halt. (This is an entirely different article and conversation, but it's true!) My unit does not forget these things. Sometimes I am so proud of my team it moves me to tears. To me, that is what nursing is all about.

Needless to say, my goal on this chaotic day was to answer every call bell I could on the first or second ring, transfer patients, help with discharges, teach, walk people to the bathroom, change linens, assist in emergencies, and so on. Without extra hands, I knew that the things that make nursing what it should be would suffer. It was then I realized that even though I didn't have any affirmations in my pocket like I used to do, I approached each nurse, CNA patient, charge nurse, transporter, my boss, patient sitters, doctors and specialists with my utmost patience, concern and dedication. Patients aren't the only ones who have needs. This gave me the feeling that I was truly doing something. Something of value. Something of merit.

We need to eat. We need to release our bladder. We may need a break, or multiple breaks to help keep our own demons at bay. I guess, for me, my happy place amidst the chaos was knowing and truly understanding that it wasn't and isn't all about me. I am not the only one who has a hard day. On those days that I have more energy and give than the next person, it's my duty to protect them. In protecting my people, I protect my unit, I protect my hospital and I help channel energy into a situation where there is a great need. Whatever situation it is, we all need to remember to take a step back and reminded ourselves of that key phrase: It's not all about me. And there I was, available to my friends whom I consider family. Totally at their disposal.

Later that night, my two closest friends headed out to grab a beer after work to digest the day. One of my friends looked at me and started laughing. 'What is it?' I asked. Her eyes were all-knowing and sparkling. "Do you realize what happened today?" 'Today was insane?' She laughed again. "Well duh." ... She paused... "But, today, your good energy helped my good energy, then our good energy helped fuel the unit. Don't you realize that when we lose our cool, that it just cascades? We need to remember that. Because it could always be worse."

You're right, I thought.

It can always be worse.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Jacqueline.Damm

About Jacqueline.Damm

Molded and formed by a drive to live up to her own expectations, Jacquie ultimately thrives on creativity. Dreams, testing her limits, and traveling all fuel the fire, thus leading to adventures of the past and yet to be: http://misadventuresofanurse.blogspot.com/

6 Articles   51 Posts

Share this post

Share on other sites
Specializes in None yet..

Okay, I have a goal now. After I've graduated and certified with my RN, I'm moving to Virginia and working for you. Dang, woman, your positive, life-enhancing energy radiates off the computer screen. Thanks for the vision and inspiration.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg.

If you're not already, you will make an amazing charge nurse. That's exactly the vibe they should be setting. I bet your coworkers love it when you're there!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I've always helped the CNA's with call bells and cleaning and turning patients. When I was a preceptor I too had extra time to assist others and gladly did it. Also when I was on light duty and a helper I did the same. There is not always time. Overall we have a good team of coworkers on the shifts I work that help each other as much as they can.

I'm happy to report that we all had a wonderful day the last time I worked. If everyday was like this I could love my job again! It reminded me of why I went into nursing. I had time to simply sit and listen to the patients pour their hearts out to me about there troubles and give them comfort. There was peace and calm on the unit. What a wonderful feeling!

I don't do well when stressed. I naturally tense up and get snappy. I try to stay by myself to calm down. I do have some great coworkers and a wonderful truly hands on working supervisor that can usually snap me out of any bad mood by their joy, friendship and assistance. There are a few special coworkers including my supervisor that truly can bring joy and peace to the floor. Thank you for reminding me about the good times and good coworkers I'm blessed to work with! Even the patients love one special coworker who literally brings love to the patients. They miss her and go look for her when she is not on the unit. When they find her she hugs them and gives them her love! She is just the best!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

I do 1:1 PD with little old folks (I'm talkin' 5'2" at tops!) who are in their 90's. Usually I'm there because their dementia is starting to have a detrimental effect on their lives. They or someone in the family wants them to live in their independent living situation (Apt. or private rm.), yet they aren't quite safe enough to be on their own.

You get quit a wide range of personalities in that population, and with the added, increasing dementia, there's a wide range of behaviors.

Some folks have said to me, "OMG, how do you spend twelve hours a day with someone like that? I couldn't do it!"

Well, first of all I can find some common ground with most everyone; I just let them take the lead. I don't 'order' them around, I help them find ways to accommodate and maneuver through their 'new' state-of-mind. Sometimes by hauling out the old,"Well, I had a patient once who had that same problem, and what he/she did might work well for you...."

I really like my patients; most of them still have enough of themselves 'there' to work with, ie: What are they like? What do they like? How do they act and react?

I am able to find the patience because it is not about me. Anybody who had their druthers wouldn't be going through what they are dealing with; it isn't their fault, and they sure aren't being that way on purpose! There's no point in being impatient or irritated at having to repeat myself because they repeat themselves. I'm there for 12 hours, there's no end point or finish line, because it's not a race.

Now, I will admit that sometimes it feels like it's driving me to distraction but when it gets that way, I dial it back down to regain my patience. There are certainly days when it is exhausting!

My mother had about 1 & 1/2 years like this at the end of her time on earth. She had been a practicing nurse, a mother of 4, the wife of a man with a drinking problem, she ran her own business, and she took care of the family finances. How hard it is to have to check your wallet 16x in 30 seconds because you forgot you had already checked it, to be in that constant state of trying to keep it all together like you used to be able to "before".

I was not able to help my sister care for my mother, being so many states away and no wherewithal to visit during that time. My sister did such a wonderful job and I am forever grateful to her for that.

My work is kind of like I'm getting to take care of my mother, but at one remove, in the embodiment of another person. It makes ME feel better to be able to do this for someone in her honor.

So you are right, Jaqueline, it 's not about me, but oh the rewards I reap!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CIC, Geriatrics.

Miss Jacqueline,

Just a short note to tell you Thank You. After having been an RN for almost 30 years, there are more days than not where I can become extremely negative. I struggle and fight just to get through 8 hours.

However, I have just printed off your article, and am carrying it with me to work tonight. I am planning on sharing it with my staff of LPNs and CNAs, and want to encourage each other to put the positive side to the forefront. I have included your name and will point them to this site, to find more of your insightful thoughts to share.

Thank you again, and I am hoping, that when I am old and dependent on nurses to give me the care I need to have a life, that I have someone with your outlook on nursing at my bedside. It will make all of the difference!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Onc., Palliative/Hospice, CPU.

Keep up the fight everyone. Loving your replies to my article. If there's anything you need, or want to hear about, please personal message me. I love to write and would thoroughly enjoy writing things you WANT to hear! xx

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

A good attitude almost always makes for a better night, no matter how sick the patients are or what the unit throws at you. I wish more people, nurses, CNAs and RTs were upbeat and positive.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

good point. a little attitude adjustment can make a big impact.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment