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

[SilverBells]

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

[NurseBlaq]

3 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

No ma'am. You get paid to do one job. The imaginary staff can do the rest. You're doing far too much. Do NOT ever risk your license by doing more than you can tolerate. That's equivalent to accepting an unsafe assignment. Just don't do it.

[TriciaJ, RN]

7 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

Where's your upper management?  Are you the most senior person in the building?

And State popped by for a visit?  Come on in!  I'd be showing them a lot more than my newly bald head.

[NurseBlaq]

34 minutes ago, TriciaJ said:

Where's your upper management?  Are you the most senior person in the building?

And State popped by for a visit?  Come on in!  I'd be showing them a lot more than my newly bald head.

Took me right on out. ?

[SilverBells, BSN]

4 hours ago, hppygr8ful said:

You seriously need to learn how to delegate!

No one to delegate to. No staff. 

[SilverBells, BSN]

I had no choice but to be tough and wasn't very successful 

[NurseBlaq]

56 minutes ago, SilverBells said:

No one to delegate to. No staff. 

That bad huh? It's good that was the case during the surprise visit. Maybe the facility will get it together and get you some help.

[SilverBells, BSN]

All scheduled staff on my unit were no calls, no shows or called off. I cannot leave my unit unattended 

[SilverBells, BSN]

22 hours of work, 23 hours being awake.  I took tomorrow/today off for extra rest

[NurseBlaq]

That's horrible! Sorry you're going through that.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

6 hours ago, SilverBells said:

No one to delegate to. No staff. 

I find it hard to believe that you are the ONLY person on staff that can do these types of treatments, because you are essentially the Only RN in the building. If this is true you need to Quit.  The way you are running youself could lead to action against you license.

Hppy

[TriciaJ, RN]

In workplaces that have unions, there is always a form that can be completed if staffing is unsafe.  A copy of the form is always directed to an entity OUTSIDE the employer system, which is why employers hate when this form is used.

The form essentially functions as a preemptive incident report.  It generally states "I am accepting an unsafe assignment under protest.  I have already requested help from ABC and received XYZ response.  I will not be held professionally liable for any negative outcomes."

You see if something bad happens because you were stretched too thin, you will be held responsible.  Saying you were short-staffed won't get you off the hook unless you have already documented that you asked for help and accepted the assignment under protest.

If you have no preprinted forms, this information can be put on a blank sheet of paper.  A copy MUST go to the state regulatory body, a copy to your employer and you keep a copy.

If you insist on staying on this sinking ship of a job, using that form will be your career life preserver.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

On 5/11/2021 at 8:15 AM, 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

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 

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

I'm glad to hear you are making some positive changes.  The only time I worked 20 hours was because of a blizzard.  Otherwise I worked 16-17 hours due to mandation, but it wasn't often.  Though it was becoming a threat because Wrongway took over and did everything to drive nurses and CNA's out. 

Finally I quit!  I would have just gritted my teeth and kept going to 62 if they hadn't driven all the staff out.  I refused to be both an RN and CNA at the same time.  I always helped the CNA's and was very hands on, but when we had 6 patients and no CNA on a stepdown unit, I gave my resignation.  I'd heard nightmare stories of the sister hospitals of RN's being pushed up to 12 patients, as well as, trying to push us to 10 patients on several occasions.  Consequently, I had been thinking about quitting for over a year, but it was the night I had an insulin drip, q 1 hour accu checks, I emailed my resignation.   My last night, they didn't have a CNA for us, but the supervisor called a Dr herself and got a sitter order discontinued so we would have a CNA on my last night.  

Now that it's over all I can say is I wish I had quit sooner, but I'm glad I'm finally free!  I hope you too see the light and realize it doesn't have to be this way.   I suggest you rethink the situation.  While you are used to working 20 hour shifts and working multiple people's jobs on salary; what would you say if a beloved family member or friend told you this was happening to them?  Surely you would beg them to leave and be outraged that they were being so overworked and abused!  So be as kind to yourself and give yourself permission to quit.  You'll be so glad you did!  I bet you'll be like me and wonder how you hung on for so long and why you didn't leave sooner.  But in the end you'll just be so relieved and at peace to be free!