I've probably said it before. But nursing forces you to grow up in ways that are hard to explain. But I'm going to give it a shot.
I've wrote in the past about how difficult I find nursing mentally and how some days I feel completely drained. Hell, some days driving into work I can be tempted to just drive off a bridge. Please don't assume that I mean this flippantly either. Looking for a way of escape is essentially what it all boils down to. (Which is the most common denominator for most people who feel suicidal) Part of the trouble with that idea was that I'd end up in work regardless since I worked in A&E full time. But what I have failed to mention in previous entries is that I chose this career for the exact reason that I sometimes hate it; and that is, for the challenge, forcing me to grow, forcing me to learn and mature. It's taught me so many things I'd never have dreamed about learning. Not only in a clinical sense but also in an emotional and mental sense. My people skills have improved so much compared to how they were when I was in school. Most people could say this. However, not many 25 year olds have conflict management skills and are able to reassure people in their darkest moments. You need to be willing to be strong/get stronger as a nurse because you are the pillar for a lot of people to rely on. You are there for patients and their families, to provide information, to provide reassurance where appropriate. Sometimes your job is to shut up and listen to their concerns even when they are aggressive. But always be appropriate in your responses. You're there to advocate for them when they are unwell and something just doesn't seem right. They ask you to interpret what the doctor says because they maybe didn't understand and didn't want to look stupid, or they thought they understood but now realise that they don't, or they just had too much information for their minds to process. Especially if it's bad news. Now picture doing this for let's say 30 patients/relatives a day. On average 4 days a week. You'd easily do this for thousands of patients/relatives a year. It's a real balancing act. I don't get it right all the time but you learn on the job. You learn from your colleagues and you also learn from your patients and their families. Remember the example of you being the pillar I used a few paragraphs ago? That pillar can wear down. So although the lessons you learn from patients are valuable for your mental health in the long run. It can be a strain on your own mental health at the same time. I always recommend meditation because it helps you to face those things you see and the things you deal with most days. I don't always practice meditation everyday. But I do always practice mindfulness. If it doesn't sound like your cup of tea, try guided meditation for a week to get a feel for it. I personally love the "audio dharma" website. (Google it) and love to listen to Gil Fronsdale in the car on the way to/from work. Alan Watts is a very insightful chap also. Sometimes keeping a diary of how you're feeling, what you've experienced and how you might deal with similar situations in the future with what you have learned is really valuable for some people. Sometimes just acknowledging your mental health is in need of a helping hand is enough for some people to start looking forward. Everyone is so different in their experiences and in their own egos and personalities. So different things might work for different people. But I'd definitely start with meditation. This is a huge step in self growth and maturity. Having such responsibilities as taking on the role of comforter, advocator, advice giver, educator, etc. Means you need to be professional and instil confidence in people you have a duty of care to. You being the common denominator in these equations means that you have to acknowledge your own mentality and look after yourself. Something that isn't encouraged enough in the nursing profession (nursing auxiliaries, registered nurses, paramedics and medics alike)
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AuthorI am a 25 year old nurse, who is trying to find herself. This blog will contain epiphanies I have, my yoga progress and other such things. Enjoy. :) Archives
March 2019
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