I recently read an article about suicide among medical professionals. The statistics were unclear. But the message was clear. While completed suicides may not be as high as implied in the article, the events and circumstances leading to someone taking such drastic steps led me to think about this action and the nurses I see.
This blog is not about suicide as much as it is about how as nurses we can keep ourselves from reaching the point of suicide. I like to start each class with some kind of ice breaker. It usually asks the individual to identify how they relax; what they do in their spare time to relax. Their response has to exclude nursing and work. It is sad when they say they have no hobbies, no outside interest, they only work and sleep, or they go home to do other caregiving duties.
Performance Expectations
As nurses most of us have a caregiver gene that operates full time. Unfortunately, we often do not see ourselves as needing care. As a result we find ourselves experiencing feelings of being overwhelmed, angry, and depressed. When we are at this point we are at risk of engaging in unhealthy behaviors as coping mechanisms. I’ve actually heard nurses say they don’t have time to think about themselves because their focus is on others.
As nurses, we take a lot of mistreatment and abuse from others and we are expected to always be pleasant, to smile and take whatever is being thrown at us. At work patients and their families look to us to comfort them, to relieve their anxiety, to reassure them, and to answer their questions. Sometimes they are unpleasant and hostile but we are required to always be “professional.” They are nervous in this environment and that is often because they do not understand what is happening. They often exhibit poor coping skills and nurses often catch the brunt of this misunderstanding. Our professional colleagues can be demanding and impatient. They expect us to perform at the top of our “A game” at all times. Our peers can be less than understanding and lacking in compassion. All of these expectations can stress the best nurse at times.
Consequences of Stress
If the nurse makes an error in judgement or performance while providing patient care anxiety increases. The Nurse might seem to shut down and withdraw. If this takes place over an extended of time other behaviors might be used by the nurse to cope. Drugs, alcohol, or even risky behaviors like not paying attention when driving might occur. The nurse might lash back at others for seemingly minor issues.
Because of the way we are socialized and educated it is expected that we can take it. What then is the nurse to do, where can the nurse turn? I read and have had attorneys and others who come in contact with nurses, after they’ve gotten into some type of legal trouble validate that they resort to taking pills to help them cope. Because pills and other drugs are readily available in the work setting it is easier for the nurse to gain access. Some admit to using behaviors like smoking and others admit to using stronger substances and illegal drugs.
Help yourself
We must be able to reach out to peers who are exhibiting symptoms of sadness and depression. It is my hope that we learn to recognize the signs that we are getting stressed. We usually can identify the signs in others and offer strategies. Here are some strategies and techniques we can use for ourselves. In this blog I will just mention some strategies/techniques to help us improve our coping skills. If you want additional information, you can request our list of Successful Coping Strategies to help decrease stress, just send an email to ameshigh01@gmail.com.
Some simple things you can do that will not cost any money include
- Deep breathing
- Meditation
- Taking a walk
- Warm bath
- Sharing your feelings with a trusted friend
In some states I am told that nurses cannot take certain CNE courses that might help them acquire better coping skills. Texas, for instance, will not accept courses in stress management, mindful meditation, and compassion fatigue as acceptable CNE because these courses do not meet their definition of CNE. Sadly this could be a format for nurses to learn better coping skills that could benefit everyone, it could improve professional development and enable the nurse to function more optionally.
You are more than your job. You deserve to care for yourself, to grow into the best person you can become. When you take care of yourself everyone benefits – everyone wins.