how to separate work from home

Do 1 of 2 things.

1) Get a job that you don't hate / don't dread going to.

2) Stop caring.

I recommend #1, but #2 works while you are working on #1.

I had an Executive Director tell me that when he walked into work, he would put down an imaginary bag, and pick up an imaginary bag, one was his personal life and one was work. At the end of the day he would do the same thing. It sounds stupid, but it really works. Leave work at work. Enjoy your family and your work. I know your work is very hard, I was a Nurses Aid before I became an LPN. Understand you do the best you can every day, you are valuable and important, but work is not 24/7. I know it's hard, but really really try. Best of luck.:heartbeat:redpinkhe:redbeathe

Try to do something on your way home to help separate. I take the bus - I find the short walk from the bus to home can really clear my mind and help me separate the two. Maybe go for a walk when you get home? Or go to the gym first? Create some type of routine for when you come home. The first thing I do is change out of uniform and into comfy clothes. If you find yourself thinking of work, just try to re-direct your thoughts.

Try to do something on your way home to help separate. I take the bus - I find the short walk from the bus to home can really clear my mind and help me separate the two. Maybe go for a walk when you get home? Or go to the gym first? Create some type of routine for when you come home. The first thing I do is change out of uniform and into comfy clothes. If you find yourself thinking of work, just try to re-direct your thoughts.

I was going to say the same thing. Stop by the park, listen to music, anything that will help turn the page.

As soon as I get into my car, I call my mom. It's a ritual I've started since becoming an RN a year ago. I have a 30 minute drive home and I find talking to someone else about their day helps me decompress. As soon as I get home, I kick off my shoes, take a shower, and put on jammies. I spend time with my children and husband for a couple of hours (I do not talk about the happenings of the day until the next day I'm off from work, if at all). When I come home I just want to put the day behind me. It was very hard for me at first to find what worked for me, but I finally found a happy ground. It also helps that I work with a great group of peers and we know that we can always vent with each other. With the drastic changes in staffing cut-backs it makes for a very stressful day. I work on a very busy PCU unit and I went from caring for 4-5 PT's to now a standard 6-8 PT's. Often there are no transporters and only 1-2 techs for our entire 32 PT unit. Everyone is spread very thin, but I go in and give 110% for my PT's. Its rewarding enough when I have PT's say "I see you running around here more than any other RN that I've had and I truly appreciate your care. You are not only a good nurse, but you are a good person too." That makes it all worth while. :prdnrs:

There have been some good suggestions on this thread. Find one that works for you.

Other suggestions:

I take my dog for a walk as soon as I get home or, weather appropriate, a swim in the creek behind our house. He loves it, and I can't hold on to feelings about work while watching Sam chase sticks or fireflies!

I, too call my mother in the car on the way home. Mom has Alzheimer's and isn't going to remember that I called, but she sure enjoys it during the 30-45 minutes my drive takes (depending upon traffic). And if I'm really upset, I tell her all about my day. She makes "Mom noises" and no HIPAA worries, because she's 1000 miles away and won't remember a thing!

If all else fails, I sit down and write in my journal for 20 minutes about whatever springs to mind. Sometimes that's a painful practice, but I sure feel better afterward!