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

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

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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

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Your residents have every right to expect you to function as if you've had a full night's sleep.  Your brain is "greedy for more sleep" because it still isn't getting enough.

There are no tips or suggestions to help you power through a shift when you are still depriving your body of the basic necessities of life.  Reading your original post is like reading "I like to party and snort coke; how do I stay alert at work?"  Because doing that wouldn't be that much worse for your body and mind than what you're doing now.

If you're not going to look for another job, then you're going to have to be absolutely ruthless about getting out after 12 hrs tops.

Proper nutrition and sleep hygiene need to be your passionate new hobbies.  You're still young enough for your body to forgive the abuse but it will take time and consistent effort.

Metaphorically, you need to be putting your own oxygen mask on first.

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5 hours ago, Davey Do said:

Stop telling members what to do or how to be.

Tell them to stop asking.

And, technically speaking, I just told her what not to do.

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Yup, having two Mentals in the post's heading, is definitely giving me a strain and is causing me some pain ????

I think that the Pepsis are causing a build up of ??? and is causing the mental strain and pain ????

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On 5/11/2021 at 9:13 AM, hppygr8ful said:

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 

You didn't address the GAS, Happy? What about the GAS? 

Drinking so many sodas, gives you GAS, and you didn't include a solution! 

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On 5/11/2021 at 5:19 PM, Davey Do said:

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!

I would say that SilverBells two minutes is actually spent going to the bathroom with all those sodas drunk needing an outlet, PLUS the GAS Davey, what about the GAS!! ??????

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On 5/12/2021 at 8:46 AM, Davey Do said:

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.

My morning routine definitely involves pooing ??? and the pie baking ?? I leave to the evenings ???. 

On 5/12/2021 at 10:33 AM, TriciaJ said:

Your residents have every right to expect you to function as if you've had a full night's sleep.  Your brain is "greedy for more sleep" because it still isn't getting enough.

There are no tips or suggestions to help you power through a shift when you are still depriving your body of the basic necessities of life.  Reading your original post is like reading "I like to party and snort coke; how do I stay alert at work?"  Because doing that wouldn't be that much worse for your body and mind than what you're doing now.

If you're not going to look for another job, then you're going to have to be absolutely ruthless about getting out after 12 hrs tops.

Proper nutrition and sleep hygiene need to be your passionate new hobbies.  You're still young enough for your body to forgive the abuse but it will take time and consistent effort.

Metaphorically, you need to be putting your own oxygen mask on first.

Are you implying that SilverBells has a flatulence problem ?????? 

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
1 hour ago, Curious1997 said:

You didn't address the GAS, Happy? What about the GAS? 

Drinking so many sodas, gives you GAS, and you didn't include a solution! 

I really don't know as I don't drink a lot of soda! But at the risk of revealing TMI ? Gas can be a problem for me since I had significant bowel resection in 2012.

 

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57 minutes ago, hppygr8ful said:

I really don't know as I don't drink a lot of soda! But at the risk of revealing TMI ? Gas can be a problem for me since I had significant bowel resection in 2012.

 

Well as long as you don't smoke in the house and you don't live in a high fracking area because they can cause earthquakes and you know what they say about gas and earthquakes ????✨?????

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Well I am in Southern California and have experienced many earthquakes no explosions though

 

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

Pulling my hair out today.  I am manager, nurse, CNA with new admission, postponing discharge, wound rounds, state was here, 5 grievances, call ins, and on and on

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1 hour ago, SilverBells said:

Pulling my hair out today.  I am manager, nurse, CNA with new admission, postponing discharge, wound rounds, state was here, 5 grievances, call ins, and on and on

This sounds like a five coffee day and a 7 Pepsi bonanza ☕???

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
2 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Pulling my hair out today.  I am manager, nurse, CNA with new admission, postponing discharge, wound rounds, state was here, 5 grievances, call ins, and on and on

You seriously need to learn how to delegate!

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