When you've had a couple of lousy days, and are beginning your 3rd 12 hour shift of the week, how do you motivate yourself to go to work and maintain whatever it is you need to hang on to, to get through the shift?
I used to remind myself that I didn't have to take the PIAs home with me (that helped )
I reminded myself that I wasn't going through what the patients were.
I thought about going on a day trip to a favorite city on my days off- and that the money from that shift would make that better.
I was grateful for the good staff I had to work with, and that either of the night supervisors were supportive and very helpful.
I met people who made me grateful for the family I have
I was glad that the majority of the docs were easy to deal with, even at 3 am when things were hitting the fan.
If it was really horrible, I reminded myself that I could leave whenever I wanted to, but I needed to get through the night first- and that would usually chill me out.
Maybe this sounds dumb- but whatever it takes to get through the rough times, that doesn't hurt you, your job, or anyone else is fair game in my book. :two cents:
Anybody else have things that have helped them just get to work? :)
(this is meant to be pleasant, and maybe even fun....)
It's defintely all about the staff. I'm psych, so sometimes the patients actually help too - whether it's talking about my scrubs, the size of the pills and wondering what sick fu*k created them, what's on the TV, or someone recognizing the Yoda on my keychain. I keep things interesting. I need to talk throughout my shift. I realize that I'm having an "off" shift when a co-worker looks at me and says, "You've been awfully quiet today..."
Or, maybe what twisted person hurt them so badly they ended up with the problems they have?????
I work 8s or 12s and just go in thinking "only up to 16 more( we get mandated a up to 16 often enough) NO matter what it will be over eventually." sometimes it is VERY hard to get through t certain shifts esp when I have a couple more to get through. i the fact that there is the posibility of YEARS of this................ i also try to think, " at least i am healthy enough to be here working, it can always get worse. ."
what i am going to eat once i am done. cake, ice cream, cofee, pizza, etc this has led to me gaining some weight! ahhhhhh. then i am to tired to exercise............
Ok. I'm really happy the first half of this thread mentioned cakes, etc... because it felt sinful to immediately say: FOOOOOOD! Definitely gets me through! Cake + pastry breaks... a quickie for a coffee sip... and the main entree during my break!
- That I have a Glock 19 and Remington .22 in my car and the range is just a short drive from my hospital
- That I have a very well stocked liquor/beer fridge waiting for me
- Its almost payday! ( even if it was just payday the next one is coming up )
- They certainly wont give me the same **** pts 4 days in a row ------ok maybe they will
- That my house has AC which the hospital seems to not have any of on 100*+ days
that's hilarious @Glock 19 and Remington .22, I think that recoups the adrenaline you might have lost too after working a long shift.
Myself I load up a 30 ounce water bottle with ice and take a swig every half hour to clear my head. works wonders. I think of the 5 mile run I'll be doing at the end of the shift, and all is good!
Coke Classic, a sense of humor, and knowing I only work part time gets me through. Sometimes I say things in my head that aren't nice at all while the pt is trying their best to manipulate me. It helps put a smile on my face
That's what drove me out of pedi - I lost a month of hours one 3-month summer period. The married nurses w/2nd income couldn't get it through their heads that I had to make enough to pay rent all year The low census clinched it, my health also was getting scary. I loved the kids (most of them- LOL)
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
It's only because I am precepting. When I am off orientation they would have still needed me to come in or I could have floated. Oh well. I like going to work not to mention my paycheck is going to stink on Thursday!
)
Definitely gets me through! Cake + pastry breaks... a quickie for a coffee sip... and the main entree during my break!.thumb.jpg.421493329dd1f136a4222fe8e9399213.jpg){kind=small}
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The low census clinched it, my health also was getting scary. I loved the kids (most of them- LOL)
xtxrn, ASN, RN
4,267 Posts
Or, maybe what twisted person hurt them so badly they ended up with the problems they have?????