psychiatric NP and mental wellbeing.

[pulchra, BSN]

I have moments when I have emotional rollercoasters. I don't know if it's because of my monthly hormonal stuff or what not. I was never diagnosed with any mental issues and I did get therapies here and there due to high stress from personal life and work. 

I worked and still wroking in ICU throughout the whole COVID and the incidences made me feel very very very sad and depressed. Honestly I was one emotional wreck last year because it was really hard seeing so many deaths.  I imean last year was pretty hard for most people I think. I felt like other people in the units were okay except me. I never really talked about this with others but who knows. 

My question is,, is PSYCH NP this emotionally stressful that I should not look into it? I always had a heart for psych, but I'm afraid that I will be depressed listening to other people's depressive stories. I try to put my self into other people's shoes so I can get swept into the feelings. Would this be a problem?? My therapist told me my emotional rollercoaster is normal since everyone has ups and downs which I'm still trying to accept. Last year made me think, well if I can't deal with human deaths and families not being able to be there physically when their loved ones die, I surely cannot deal with someone trying to commit suicide. Am I wrong to think like this? 

is your mental wellbeing on top of the line as a provider dealing with patients with mental health issues? 

Thanks in advance! 

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Listening to people's stories and helping them to identify their issues and develop ways to cope with them is part of the job. Identifying too much with them is not, and it could potentially be harmful to your emotional well being. What you need to determine is whether you will be able to separate your work from your life, and whether you can prevent yourself from being drawn too deeply into the struggles of your patients.

[pulchra, BSN]

5 minutes ago, Orca said:

Listening to people's stories and helping them to identify their issues and develop ways to cope with them is part of the job. Identifying too much with them is not, and it could potentially be harmful to your emotional well being. What you need to determine is whether you will be able to separate your work from your life, and whether you can prevent yourself from being drawn too deeply into the struggles of your patients.

Thank you!