What are your methods for keeping your cool at work?

[tattooednursie]

First of all I have to say that things are going a little more decent in the workplace, but as always, there is something else.

I have been having a problem keeping my cool at work. Whether its another staff member, or a super demanding patient, they find a way to shorten my fuse. I am not mean about it, but I am a complete grump for the rest of the day, I end up in verbal conflicts with staff memebers because I feel so edgy after some one says something that offends me. I'm not happy, and other people are unhappy around me. Do you feel like this often? How do you get rid of the feeling of resentment? I have tried counting to 10, I have tried not to think about it, but still I end up leaving work thinking that I don't want to come back.

Thanks in advance,

Mandi

[SmilingBluEyes]

My method is NEVER ever becoming defensive in my dealings with people. I tell them straight-up when they are abusing me, that I won't tolerate it. It works well. Also, I leave work at work when home. It really does make all the difference to me.

[Benton]

First of all I have to say that things are going a little more decent in the workplace, but as always, there is something else.

I have been having a problem keeping my cool at work. Whether its another staff member, or a super demanding patient, they find a way to shorten my fuse. I am not mean about it, but I am a complete grump for the rest of the day, I end up in verbal conflicts with staff memebers because I feel so edgy after some one says something that offends me. I'm not happy, and other people are unhappy around me. Do you feel like this often? How do you get rid of the feeling of resentment? I have tried counting to 10, I have tried not to think about it, but still I end up leaving work thinking that I don't want to come back.

Thanks in advance,

Mandi

Hi, Mandi! As a former hospital nursing supervisor I learned more than I wanted to know about the conflicts that go on within a hospital. There can be units that seem to be magnets for toxic, unhappy people. It seems unhappy people are attracted to each other because they speak the same language. If you are unhappy in general, seek help. If you are in a toxic unit, get out! Remember, though, you will find unhappy people who want to make you unhappy in any given unit or for that matter, in any area of life. Make a game out of this conundrum by keeping notes on what upsets you and how you respond/feel. When a similiar situation happens again, try responding to it in a different manner and see what happens. In time, you will start to notice a pattern with people and situations. For instance, when I sense that I'm being set-up by a certain question I'll look the person asking the question in the eye and say, "Why do you ask?" I don't look-off and I stay silent while waiting for their response. They may have a ligitimate reason to ask. If my gut is right about a person having a hidden motive for a question, the person asking the question will probably say something like, "Well, I...I was just wondering." There is nothing that says you have to respond to a "I was just wondering" question, especially when it comes to your personal life. Make a game out of it and even laugh to yourself at how foolish some people can be. You can do it, Mandi! Benton