Nurses need an outlet to manage stress

Published

To all my colleagues out there: Please take care of yourselves. We nurses are precious beings who need as much care and attention as anyone else. If you see a coworker "drowning":wacky: or feeling exhausted:down:, give her/him a hand, give encouragement:up: and be supportive. We need to learn to work together and be supportive of each other. Our work is very hard and only "we nurses" know what we do everyday. Meditate, pray, exercise, take a walk, talk on the phone, do something that relaxes you and makes you happy:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Great post. :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCCN.

yes, great idea, but what do you do when you don't , or can't enjoy anything anymore?

The job stress makes me to tired to care much about anything but sleep.

I do try to help my co workers if I can.I dont like to see anyone drown. Even helped a float the other day. I felt bad she got dumped on

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
yes, great idea, but what do you do when you don't , or can't enjoy anything anymore?

The job stress makes me to tired to care much about anything but sleep.

I do try to help my co workers if I can.I dont like to see anyone drown. Even helped a float the other day. I felt bad she got dumped on

I'm sorry you're feeling this way. If work is causing you to feel so much stress that you aren't enjoying things outside of work, you may need to see a medical professional or change your job.

When I feel depressed, I tend to need a lot more sleep.

Running, lifting weights and cardio are helping me to feel a lot better emotionally.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

I completely agree. I joined a gym and even though I have a hard time getting myself to go, when I do go I feel great. I'm going today. My goal is to go twice a week, then three times a week. I enjoy the group classes, with the loud music. Very stress relieving. I also make myself do things that make me happy, such as going to art museums and art fairs etc. My job is so stressful right now I feel like I need valium to do it. Although not really because if I took a valium I wouldn't wake up for days.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, OR, ICU, PACU, POCU, QA, DC Planning.

I find those "parking lot" debriefing sessions after work are helpful. We would sometimes be out there for a half-hour or more, just talking away about home, family, and maybe a patient or two, or the latest new policy to appear. Also, some of my co-workers and I just plan for a dinner once a month, just to be friendly in a friendly environment. It feels good to have their support.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Peds..

Why are nurses so stressed? I don't see the point sometimes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Why are nurses so stressed? I don't see the point sometimes.

People's personality, EQ and coping mechanisms vary; some handle stress better than others, some have extraneous issues that come to head while working and affect their lives completely, some have personality challenges; either way, there are outlets and ways to cope with and combat stress. :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

All jobs are different. Sone jobs are the garden of Eden, everybody is happy and supportive and you're well paid, etc. Some jobs are physicalky demanding, heavy lifting, working long hours without food or water or a bathroom break.There are un air conditioned facilities where you sweat thtough the day. There are hateful patients, families, doctors, bullies. Some nurses don't get emotional support. Some have no spouses, friends,family. Stress builds up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

I know this is hard to do but make a doctor's appt. And ask for anti depressant medication.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
Why are nurses so stressed? I don't see the point sometimes.

Sometimes stress is nearly imperceptible. I don't leave my job hating it. I don't go home angry. I truly love my job and feel I'm meant for the work I do. I even feel My job duties are fair.

In spite of this, I realized I was going home feeling keyed up. It took a lot to relax me after work so that I felt "normal."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I take a 5 minute "power walk" outside if needed to prevent myself from imploding. I'm no good to anyone if all I want to do is crawl under the desk. Just 5 minutes of not hearing call bells, phones ringing, someone asking for "The Nurse" or hunting me down in rooms helps a heap.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion