Being a nurse is not easy. You must function in highly stressful and chaotic environments while maintaining your composure.
A reminder for you: It’s perfectly fine not to feel okay.
Many nurses are motivated by a desire to help others, which is fantastic. Helping someone and positively impacting their life is fulfilling and rewarding. Before we go out into the field, we are provided with training to prepare us for what we may encounter. Understandably, no amount of training can fully prepare anyone for the emotions they may experience in certain situations. It can be challenging to anticipate which cases will be tough until they are actually faced.
Today, I am writing this post at a time when I am coping with an unexpected trauma. Today, my heart is hurting. As a nurse, as a human, and as a family member.
The emergency department can be adamant as it exposes nurses to caring for people of all ages. In the event of trauma, this can be challenging. We are deeply affected by the death of any patient. However, I always find it particularly hard to cope with losing a child.
Today, I remind myself that it’s okay not to feel okay. I sat in my car and cried today.
One of the best things about being a nurse is sharing your heart and giving back to your community. I like to think of my heart as a garden from which I pick flowers to give to others. However, a wilted or empty garden prevents me from picking flowers. Therefore, I must remember to keep up with my health to ensure the flowers always flourish.
My mind, body, and spirit are the garden’s water, sunshine, and nutrients. Today, there is a storm giving all the water but no sunshine. Despite the looks of it, the sun will shine tomorrow, and the soil will be hydrated. Sometimes, we must remember how simple it can be to care for ourselves.
If you’re considering this field of work, understand the toll it will take on your well-being as an individual. Nursing is not all flexibility, bandaids, and money. You have to be quick on your feet and will be put in situations you are not comfortable. On many days, there will be more losses than wins.
But sometimes, one win is enough to make a week’s worth of draining shifts all worth it.
We are human, and we must remember to grieve after terrible tragedies. Take the time to deal with the stressors related to the death of a patient. Finding and establishing a coping strategy is part of this process. A few ways I like to cope include debriefing with my team, praying, and communicating with my family. In doing this, I can use my feelings to find meaning in my work and provide better care for the next patient.
Nursing is traumatic. With trauma can come growth. I hope you, too, can utilize these experiences to enhance your life. Start to appreciate the small things, generate personal awareness, and connect with yourself spiritually.