Posts
In partial fulfillment of N5308 Nursing Informatics
University of Texas at Arlington
I am a mental health nurse by choice. I have found that nursing is emotionally taxing, but very rewarding to see positive patient outcomes. In order to take care of my mental health, I often take a cruise vacation...no emails, no phones, no social media, no deadlines. While many cannot take cruise vacations for reasons of their own, for me, being away from everything and everyone (except my husband and kids), allows me to rejuvenate and relax. It gives me time away from my job to love it more, miss it, and get ready to get back to reality.
"Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths." ~Etty Hillesum
"Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths." ~Etty Hillesum
Reference
Jennings, B. (2008). Work stress and burnout among nurses: Role of the work environment and working conditions. http:www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2668/
When I first started nursing, I did not take any breaks from my job which caused me to experience burnout and not enjoy the unit I was working on. I later learned it was okay to take a break and have time off from the unit for an extended period of time in order to be refreshed and come back anew. I found myself missing my job and feeling more relaxed.
ReplyDeleteLeticia
I'm in full support of utilizing my PTO! Our job is so stressful emotionally and physically time off is a must!
DeleteI left my most favorite job ever because I was burned out (and didn't know what burned out meant!). Of course all my PTO was paid out. After about a month (which was how much PTO I had!), I felt rejuvenated, had done some things that should have been done a long time ago and was ready to go back to work. But I did not have a job!
DeleteWhat was I thinking?! My position had already been filled and there were no other positions open to get me back in the door with the former employer. So...job searching was the alternative. That was a hard lesson to swallow, but a very valuable lesson, nonetheless.
Use your PTO strategically and wisely!
Lisa
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great blog topic; I feel that nursing and stress can go hand in hand. It is the nature of the beast. When I first started nursing, our unit was pretty short staffed and I had a huge problem with the word "no". As a result, I have been known to work 8nights in a row, have two days off, then go back for more. I have since learned that I need "me" time if I want to keep my sanity and continue to love my job. While I still pick up shifts when needed and come in when we are slammed, I have learned to know my stopping point and say "sorry, not this time". This has made all the difference (well, and getting a position on days :) ).
Yikes. Eight nights in a row would be horrible. Good for you to say "no". It is easy to get greedy and want the overtime (except when it put me in another tax bracket), but we do need to be careful and not get burned out.
DeleteEight nights in a row! Are you crazy? You must not have had kids or a spouse! Or any life at all! Oh my goodness! But you know what, I am just as guilty of that too. I have worked, worked and worked. At first it was because I needed the money as a new single mom. Then I did it because I liked it. Then I did it because I could. Now I don't do it because I can't. My body won't let me and my mind won't let me either! And I have convinced myself that the guilt for not working so much will not rule my life when I say no. Nurses have a hard time saying no to our patients as well.
Delete"No" is a very powerful word! But use it!
Lisa
O burnout, a topic we all know so much about. I have been a nurse for a little over 3 years and on certain days I feel myself dreading work. My unit specifically deals with alarm fatigue, which can go hand in hand with burnout. Even just being able to decompress and "vent" with my co-workers helps, so a blog where nurses could do this is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteKaylan, I completely understand what you are talking about. On my floor, we are required to give all that we have to give for a full 12 hours and sometimes it feels like there is no 'down-time.' It is frustrating and hard. We spend time in our med room venting...even if it is just for a few minutes!
DeleteBurn out is not something that was covered when I was in nursing school. I did not know anything about it until I lived it (but didn't know it was burn out!). I try to impress upon my students the importance of balancing their lives. Being a good nurse is so much more than just saying "yes" every time we are asked (or told) to do something else or pick up another shift.
DeleteWe have to vent and speak what is on our mind...otherwise, it might hit you at the most inopportune time (like when that family member starts yelling at you because "my mother's call light has been on for 8 minutes" when you just walked out of the room 5 seconds ago. Alarm fatigue is a huge black cloud! Venting is your umbrella!
Lisa
This is a great way to de-stress. I have learned that we can not take this home to our families. My boyfriend is not in the medical profession, and he tries to understand.
DeleteSharon
Lisa, what a substantial topic! Stress is a daily factor on my shifts and being short-staffed makes it difficult to say no to extra shifts. The problem with extra shifts is the lack of decompression time! Thank you for your personal examples of what you do to help yourself. I may have to take some of your examples for my own doing.
ReplyDeleteI love this topic as I find that I get stressed often. I get so busy I forget to take care of myself, such as getting a massage or getting away for the weekend. You are a great role model for other nurses to remember themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree, between work, the family, school and everything else, I don't remember the last time I didn't anything relaxing just for me. How easily we forget.
DeleteI live in a rural area. Most of my jobs have been no closer one way than 30 miles and one as far as 90 miles one way (not only daily basis). I have had a job 68 miles one way four days a week. I have found that the drive time allows me to gear up for the day and unwind before I get home. I am the calm, cool, collected one (now - not so five years ago!). I have been asked how I don't get worked up or bothered by situations. My answer is "I have to go with the flow otherwise I will drown in others sorrow or anger. Finding what works for me was a sink or swim effort. And it is always changing. What worked last week may not work this week! Yes, I am going to say it...be flexible! (AAH!!)
DeleteThank you for your kind words.
Now schedule that massage. You scheduled yourself around work. Now schedule work around you!
Lisa
This is a great topic, I love this idea and love that it's devoted to nurses. I stress constantly to my patients caregivers the importance of taking time for themselves. I do think I have forgotten to think of other myself or other nurses. For how can we take care of others if we don't take care of ourselves.
ReplyDeleteAngel, great point...thinking of other nurses as well as our patients. But don't forget to FIRST take care of the most important nurse .... YOU!
DeleteLisa
I totally agree with your idea. Happy nurse is happy patients. I think some nurses believe the whole life and priority is work and not taking time for themselves.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteI like the topic of your blog, but the brown color depresses me a little for the subject. Perhaps a lively color would suit this topic better. I like how the layout is organized for viewing ease. The clarity, font, and graphics are visually appealing.
Sharon