Why can't I leave work at work?

[TigerGalLE]

I work in the ICU. And I love what I do, as stressful as it is. On my days off though I worry about my patients. I wonder what is happening in the unit. I wonder who died, who transferred out, who is getting sicker, better... ect.... What is wrong with me?? Why can't I leave it all there and be free and clear on my days off????

Tiger

[Guest717236]

my prescription for you is ....

:dancgrp:

dance!

when you are thinking about choreography that moves your feet, it's not safe to be multitasking!!!!!!!!!

(or any exercise you enjoy and challenges you!)

[pink816]

i also work in an icu with about a year experience and i feel the same way. if there is a pt who has an issue or something that i am not completely comfortable with caring for i spend time thinking about it when i get home.... what if, did i do everything, did i miss anything...... all those types of thoughts. I think in time we will gain confidence in ourselves and our assessments, and with experience we will have less stress overall and maybe we will leave work at work. i am glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way from time to time

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

You're suffering from a form of PTSD. I cared for a doctor in a mental health unit that had this. He cared too much, as strange as it sounds.

Please go get a formal diagnosis. If you don't want to do that, try some new things like writing a journal to get all ur feelings out, do art work, or yoga or pilates. You must do other activities so you don't get so focused on work.

You cannot save everybody - that's not to say you shouldn't care. But you must put your own health first, by realising that you can only do so much for patients. If people die, it was probably their time anyway. The ICU is stressful because you have a high acuity of extremely ill and needy people, so you come to be more protective of them.

I myself found journal writing great, and pilates - whether done at home or in a class - is good. I also do weights on the weekend, yoga/stretching at the gym and treadmill walking and/or bike riding. That gets my stress out as well.

These things might help you.