Promoting Mental Power During Shifts That Provoke Mental Pain and Mental Strain

[SilverBells, BSN]

As nurses, we all need a bit of "power" or energy, per se, to get through our shifts. This includes both physical and mental power. 

Lately, I've been finding that my mental power has significantly decreased.  I still want to do well for my patients, but honestly,  the more they complain, yell, and demand, the less I want to do for them. I'm worried this is dangerous thinking and want it to stop so I can make sure everyone's needs are met. 

Really, my brain is so overwhelmed by all of the requests I get on a daily basis. Whenever I get asked to do something else, I'm not motivated to complete it right away. Instead, I put it off for a bit because it just makes me want to shut down, not help.  

I'm sure things haven't actually changed or worsened lately.  I just don't have as much tolerance for it anymore. I actually come into work later and leave earlier now just to get away from it all for as long as possible.  The increase in sleep hasn't helped, though--my body is greedy and always wants more. 

Any tips to get through work shifts when your brain is in pain? I just want to make sure I'm able to care for everyone and want to move away from my brain wanting to shut down every time someone needs something 

Thanks

[Emergent, RN]

Coffee helps...

[SmilingBluEyes]

Yea don't work 18 hours shifts 7 days a week. Have a hobby and life outside work. Maybe therapy.

That is what I recommend for you. Good luck.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Working Psych can be mentally draining. The way I manage is to have my hobbies and my dogs waiting when I get home. I immediately go to my greenhouse and spend 30 to 40 minutes watering and talking to my green friends, Then I take care of my dogs and water the outdoor plants.

Find balance and you will sleep more and have better sleep.

Hppy 

[SilverBells, BSN]

8 minutes ago, SmilingBluEyes said:

Yea don't work 18 hours shifts 7 days a week. Have a hobby and life outside work. Maybe therapy.

That is what I recommend for you. Good luck.

Yeah, I worked 21 hours a couple days ago and still haven't quite recovered from it.  Obviously needs to stop, though, as my patients and coworkers expect me to perform as if I've had a full night's rest.  I've gone to a few family events but haven't enjoyed them much due to being very tired and just wanting to rest

[SilverBells, BSN]

I've also tried changing my diet--more water, eating an actual lunch, fewer pops and snacks. I haven't noticed much of a difference but I suppose I'm probably still recovering from drinking over 3600 Pepsis in one year. Probably will take time unfortunately 

[Davey Do]

8 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Any tips to get through work shifts when your brain is in pain?

Two Minute Vacations.

Whenever there was any down time at work, I would write and draw. Making my thoughts, feelings, fears and anxieties into something tangible, like the written word and/or a drawing, was cathartic therapy.

SilverBells, I believe you have the soul of an artist. Your threads are so finely manipulated that you get voluminous emotionally- charged responses and that's exactly what an artist does: Manipulate their media to evoke an emotional response.

I could go on until the cows come home on how much my art has buoyed me on through many major life crises and the other million tiny murders to which I have had to deal, but consider this:

Find a personal method of expression which is your bliss and be rejuvenated during your two minute vacations!

[amoLucia]

3 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

 ... Find a personal method of expression which is your bliss and be rejuvenated during your two minute vacations!

I really think SB has a real knack for the written word. Like finding some kind of position that allows SB to somehow 'express' thru communication. Be it electronic thru social media by reporting first hand or editing or authoring new pieces, I thing she'd have a strong career forte. With a health background and now a MSN, possibilities are out there.

Channel 6, WPHL, Philadelphia, has a reporter, Ali Gorman, RN. She does al the health type reportings. BSN and a Master's. Always thought she had a super neat job.

[Guest219794]

Stop being a martyr.
 

[Davey Do]

1 hour ago, hherrn said:

Stop being a martyr.
 

Stop telling members what to do or how to be.

[Davey Do]

15 hours ago, amoLucia said:

I really think SB has a real knack for the written word. Like finding some kind of position that allows SB to somehow 'express' thru communication. Be it electronic thru social media 

I agree with your perception of SilverBells having a knack for the written word, amoLucia. However, I disagree with the electronic expression as a means of dealing with mental strain.

If our endeavor is to decrease mental strain through a process, we need to express ourselves express ourselves in a more visceral way. 

Utilizing an implement, such as a pen, is a cathartic process which cannot be equally achieved by tapping on a keyboard. In fact, I would suggest that SilverBells, or anyone else for that matter, practise what Julia Cameron discussed in her book, The Artist's Way, as "morning pages".

With a writing utensil and paper, for 15 minutes, write whatever comes to mind, paying no heed to penmanship, spelling, grammar, or punctuation.

For years now, as part of my wake up routine, I do a modified expressive version of morning pages. My wake up routine is directed toward getting in a positive place. It's easy as pie now that I'm retired, but in my tumultuous past, along with spiritual readings, the act got my head in the right place.

I am not totally poo pooing amoLucia's idea, for a position may evolve out of SilverBells' endeavors, which I agree she would be good. But if our goal is to decrease mental strain, electronics need to take no part.

[NurseBlaq]

23 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Yeah, I worked 21 hours a couple days ago and still haven't quite recovered from it.  Obviously needs to stop, though, as my patients and coworkers expect me to perform as if I've had a full night's rest.  I've gone to a few family events but haven't enjoyed them much due to being very tired and just wanting to rest

You have to rest in order to recharge your mind and body. Family events would be put on hold too. They're family, they'll be there when you have rested and rejuvenated. Never put your job over your health. Employers don't care if you work yourself silly, they'll just find someone else and keep going as usual. Take care of your health and that includes your mental sanity!