What are your tricks for leaving work at work?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 3, 2012

when i lived close to work and had a short commute, i'd walk my dogs as soon as i got home. after a brisk 2 or 3 miles, i was able to stop thinking about work. or i'd swim for an hour or so in the bay out back . . . with eagles soaring overhead, egrets wading in the shallows and (on the weekends) dodging power boats. now that my commute is longer, i listen to my favorite music (loudly) in the car as i drive home.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Jun 3, 2012

I had a hard time letting go at home until just recently. Diversion has never, ever worked for me because I tend to ruminate to the exclusion of all other thoughts on my omissions/mistakes, but reframing does.

Examples:

I got yelled at by a doctor because I had to call her back immediately because I forgot to tell her something. Reframing: Oh, well. I'm not the only one who has ever done that. The important part is that I went ahead and made the call.

I forgot to chart a notification to a doctor. Reframing: Oh, well. I got the telephone order; it's written down. There's my proof I spoke to someone! Or, the patient was added to the consult's patient list, and I did notify her and told the next nurse about the notification.

I had to leave a couple tasks for the next nurse, and I feel bad about it. Reframing: Oh, well. I work my butt off, I don't make it a habit to leave stuff, and nursing is 24/7. If she doesn't subscribe to the 24/7 notion, too bad.

StarryEyed, RN · Jun 4, 2012

I did that for the first almost year that I worked. Then did it on and off. I plan on starting again tomorrow :)

michigansapphire · Jun 4, 2012

This will probably sound silly, but it works for me ...

About halfway through my drive home, I pass several farms with herds of cows. I imagine dropping my problems off in those fields - where the cows POOP ALL OVER THEM.

ixchel · Jun 10, 2012

This will probably sound silly, but it works for me ...
About halfway through my drive home, I pass several farms with herds of cows. I imagine dropping my problems off in those fields - where the cows POOP ALL OVER THEM.

OMG that is hilarious! Love it!!!!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 10, 2012

Blasting music on the drive home...it helps me decompress and put work back in its compartment.

michigansapphire · Jun 11, 2012

OMG that is hilarious! Love it!!!!

It's amazingly therapeutic!

Annoying family member? POOP ALL OVER HIM.

Resident who's not returning your pages? POOP ALL OVER HER.

Co-workers who'd rather stand around gossiping than answer call lights? POOP ALL OVER THEM.

TopazLover, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2012

As a new nurse I wrote when I came home. Then an old nurse told me to put everything in my cap when I took it off. Some days my cap had my cheat sheets in it. Other times just a name. I would throw them out the next time I worked. I did that for years then stopped wearing a cap. From then on it was loud music. Pink Floyd doing "Comfortably Numb" seemed to hit the radio often when I needed it. Somedays there was no relief except ice cream.

Choose wisely. All can be addictive.