Backroads mom

How many of you have a stressful job? A job that chips away pieces of you while trying to do a good job?

I am an RN at a hospital. My job can be both physically and emotionally demanding. I often work with staff shortages and difficult patient populations. Most days I don’t feel like I’m doing a good job. Often I feel like it’s not the rewarding job I expected it to be. Some days I don’t want to go to work. Some days I’m filled with dread and anxiety before a shift. Long hours and stressful situations are now the norm for nurses. Time spent away from family and weekend get togethers are common.

Perspective

I try and remind myself that these patients are often angry or grumpy because they are scared. This isn’t a situation that they had anticipated when starting their day. They don’t want to be here either. I try and remind myself that our patients have probably also had bad experiences with hospitals and staff members doctors and even other patients. I remind myself they are sick and it’s my job to use the best of my abilities to take care of them, regardless of how they treat me. This is, after all about them! I remind myself it’s not personal. They don’t teach this part of nursing in school.

Truth is every job has a certain level of stress. Some are physical. Some are fast paced. The nursing field has many options. Many facets to provide patient care. There is a place for every nurse.

I’m thankful to have a good group of friends to work with. Stressful situations often bring people together. I’m also very thankful when I have a good night and a good group of patients. When I say that I mean a group of patients who aren’t so sick I’m chasing my tail all night. Patients who I can see getting better and are soon able to be discharged home to their loved ones. A group of patients that are pleasant to talk to and thankful for my care however little they see me. These are the nights few and far between that keep me going back to work. That allow me to believe that this is the path I’ve been destined for. Sometimes you just have to keep going.

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