There have been numerous stressors that I have dealt with in my new job. The number one stress I find is patient understanding during high volume times. It may sound kind of funny to some people, but working in a trauma center emergency room, it can be a tough one. It’s frustrating for most patients when we are beyond busy.
Fortunately, we have a Spiritual Care team that frequently comes around our department and I have stocked up on their aromatherapy samples and I use those while unwinding after a long night shift before bed. Other ways to handle the stress on the job is just simply taking a second to myself and go in the break room, get a drink of water or something to eat and just relax for a quick second. That type of time is extremely valuable in the place I work, even if it is just for a second. Most importantly, in my off time, I work out, work out, work out!
If there was something I could have done differently in handling my stress, it would be to have prepared for it further in advance. In other words, take the classes that are meant to prepare nursing students for the real deal SERIOUSLY! I remember simple things like this were touched on in some of the classes and now I understand why.
I can’t stress the importance of self-care for young alumni. When that is under control, it makes dealing with stress much easier and the more practice you have with it, the more tolerable it will be. Even though our patients are our number one priority, at the end of the day, we are our most important patient to take care of.
My advice for students: enforce and work on self-care now if it is not already important to you. Don’t take any of the information in the nursing classes that seems silly with a grain of salt – it all plays into hand. Also, most definitely find out what works for you with managing stress now and practice that as you engage more with your nursing career. I may have learned more so the harder way, but it is SO important to be able to manage stress properly because even the slightest “off day” or outside stressor may impact the patient care you provide.
Sydney Adelstein is 2016 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing.