When the bad seems to outweigh the good...

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

My confidence in myself has taken a severe hit, I've spent some time questioning God and my own choices, but a lot of my faith in humanity has been reaffirmed.

My gut says I worked as hard as I could, and did my best. My heart reminds me that I don't have nearly the control over life as I like to think I do, and to just keep learning. My head, however, is still saying "what if" "you should have" "why didn't you".

Hoping to wrap up the Monday-morning-quarterbacking before the next shift rolls around.

Anybody have favorite ways to debrief/hang it up. I have a process, and it seems to work for me eventually (I am still a nurse), but its grueling in the immediate.

[klone, MSN, RN]

A glass of wine, an engaging book, and my husband's shoulder.

Remember that everything that happens teaches you something. You come away wiser.

Hang in there; sorry you're having a hard time.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I can't ignore something that is upsetting, and some things are upsetting, especially if you feel you did not perform your best. I find that a good long walk gives me time to think, mull over the problems, work out difficult feelings, forgive and eventually move on.

Some nurses seem to have the ability to forget a bad day instantly, but I need time to sort and organize what is in my brain first.

[Carpediem1012, BSN, RN]

I tend to ruminate too. Hopefully with experience, comes perspective. Hang in there :). Hugs

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Make it a pact that you will NOT think one bit about work the moment you walk outside. Deep breath. Get into your air conditioned car, (or heated if it is winter) radio up--favorite tunes, sing along, the moment you get home get into a nice shower, eat something....grab a magazine....

It also helps if a couple of hours on a day off cook some easy throw in the oven things--or when you shop stuff to grill. Quick and easy--and gives you a bit more time in a shower.

Facilities are unpredicatable. You don't know what you are walking into until you walk into it. So don't think about it until you have clocked in, put your things away....deep breath, and go.

The door to the facility is either your shut off or your turn on. Your time is your time.

Best wishes.

[OneDuckyRN]

I can usually "shut it off" when I walk out the door after a "normal" shift. If not then, by the end of my 30-minute drive home. There are some shifts that just keep my brain going, and I have to talk it out. So what do I do? I call my mother. Yup, I'm 37 years old and I still call my mom to vent about a rough day at work. She has a healthcare background also, and it helps to have a (relatively) uninvolved person to vent at.

And sometimes, I go home and have a beer.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I allow myself the long commute home to feel miserable. That's usually enough time. Then I forgive myself for being human, and hope that anyone I harmed can forgive me too.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Never question God. He allows everything to happen for a reason and will never give you anything that you cannot bear. A great friend once told me that if He brings you to it, he will bring you THROUGH it. Hang in there !