2 answers
Victoria
Student
Sanger, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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What are some ways to help build emotional strength for going into the trauma nursing field?
Hey y'all! I'm currently a high school senior who's going into nursing, specifically trauma. I currently have my EMT certification so I have seen something but I know I haven't seen the worst. One of my concerns going into this field of nursing is how am I to cope and comprehend some of the things I see and how can I start now to help build my emotional strength to these things? I am an avid church goer and like to believe I'm relatively strong already. Any advice would be welcomed! Thank y'all so much!
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2 answers
Kassi Adams
RN- Clinical Consultant
3
Answers
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Updated
Kassi’s Answer
Hello,
Thank you for your thoughtful question. As a fellow nurse and Christian, I have found it invaluable to remain grounded in my faith throughout my nursing career. The profession can expose you to unimaginable situations, and the emotional toll can be significant. It is crucial to be aware of any changes in your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, as physical strain can exacerbate psychological stress.
In my experience across various specialties, maintaining perspective has been essential during challenging times. I view myself as a stranger to my patients and their families, but my faith reassures me that I am placed in their lives for a reason. By focusing on being a supportive presence and offering strength to those who need it more than I do at that moment, I stay grounded and committed to my responsibilities. Often, I find strength in realizing that I may be the only person in the room capable of providing support at that time.
There have been many occasions when I have cried after a shift, and that is perfectly acceptable—it is necessary to process your emotions. Embrace your compassionate nature, which led you to choose a career dedicated to helping others.
I am excited about your journey in nursing and commend you for taking a proactive approach to remain strong for your future patients.
Thank you for your thoughtful question. As a fellow nurse and Christian, I have found it invaluable to remain grounded in my faith throughout my nursing career. The profession can expose you to unimaginable situations, and the emotional toll can be significant. It is crucial to be aware of any changes in your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, as physical strain can exacerbate psychological stress.
In my experience across various specialties, maintaining perspective has been essential during challenging times. I view myself as a stranger to my patients and their families, but my faith reassures me that I am placed in their lives for a reason. By focusing on being a supportive presence and offering strength to those who need it more than I do at that moment, I stay grounded and committed to my responsibilities. Often, I find strength in realizing that I may be the only person in the room capable of providing support at that time.
There have been many occasions when I have cried after a shift, and that is perfectly acceptable—it is necessary to process your emotions. Embrace your compassionate nature, which led you to choose a career dedicated to helping others.
I am excited about your journey in nursing and commend you for taking a proactive approach to remain strong for your future patients.
Jacqlyn (Jacki) Clore
Verizon Engineer
1
Answer
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Updated
Jacqlyn (Jacki)’s Answer
It’s fantastic that you’re thinking about this proactively! Trauma nursing is incredibly rewarding but also emotionally demanding. Your EMT experience is a great foundation, and your awareness of the challenges ahead is a strength. I do a lot of work in the trauma care realm and these are some things that have worked for me:
Since you mentioned you have a strong faith, lean into it. Stay Spiritually Grounded with consistent prayer & reflection. It is important to not let the trauma you witness dim your light and faith in what you believe to be truth. Prayer can be a powerful source of comfort, strength, and perspective. Use it to process difficult experiences, ask for guidance, and find peace. Don’t just pray about the events; pray through them. Take time to reflect on what you’ve witnessed, the emotions it stirred, and what you learned from the experience. Journaling can be a helpful tool for this. Consider these questions:
What specific aspects of the situation bothered me most?
What did I learn about myself in this situation?
How can I use this experience to grow as a nurse and as a person?
Find something to be grateful for each day and incorporate gratitude into your journal. Remember that God does make all things good in time.
If you need to, seek spiritual guidance: Talk to a spiritual leader or trusted mentor. They can offer support, perspective, and guidance tailored to your faith.
Prioritize Self-Care: Rest is so important to well being. Nursing is demanding. Protect your sleep. Establish a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine. Fuel your body with healthy foods. Avoid relying on caffeine and sugary snacks for energy. Physical activity is a great stress reliever. Find an activity you enjoy, and take some time to do it. Make time for activities you enjoy outside of work. This helps you disconnect and recharge so you can be your best YOU. Learn to say “no” to extra commitments when you need to prioritize your well-being.
Self care can also look like: Connecting with Loved Ones/Spending time with family and friends who support you. You can also connect with other nurses, especially those in trauma. They understand the challenges you face and can offer valuable support.
Make room for Laughter & Joy:Find Humor: Even in difficult situations, finding moments of humor can be a powerful coping mechanism. Watch a funny movie or show (Parks N Rec is my fav!), read a humorous book, or spend time with people who make you laugh.
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, both big and small. This helps you stay motivated and positive.
Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms: After a particularly difficult case, talk to a trusted colleague, supervisor, or therapist. Debriefing helps you process your emotions and prevent burnout. Professional Counseling: Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you’re struggling to cope. A therapist can provide you with tools and strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and trauma. It's ok to not always be OK!
Learn to Detach: While empathy is essential in nursing, it’s also important to detach emotionally from the patient’s situation. This doesn’t mean you don’t care, but it allows you to provide the best possible care without becoming emotionally overwhelmed. Sometimes the best care and most loving thing you can do for someone is be the strength they need to provide care in the moment with minimal emotion.
Finally, Trust Your Intuition: You have been given a unique perspective and valuable insights. Trust your intuition and don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and for those who need a voice. Know your worth and advocate for your needs. This includes fair compensation, adequate staffing, and opportunities for professional development. Burn out is real and good management is key. As you gain experience, become a role model for other young women entering the field. Share your knowledge, offer support, and inspire them to achieve their goals too. Build a support system of quality care givers around you.
It may also help to Remember Your “Why”: When things get tough, remember why you chose this path. Your passion for helping others will sustain you through the challenges. For me, my "Why" has evolved as I've learned and that has helped to keep me grounded and focused on all of the good that is being done in difficult situations.
I hope you can incorporate some of these strategies into your life, to aid in building the emotional strength and resilience you need to thrive in the demanding but rewarding field of trauma nursing. Good luck!
Since you mentioned you have a strong faith, lean into it. Stay Spiritually Grounded with consistent prayer & reflection. It is important to not let the trauma you witness dim your light and faith in what you believe to be truth. Prayer can be a powerful source of comfort, strength, and perspective. Use it to process difficult experiences, ask for guidance, and find peace. Don’t just pray about the events; pray through them. Take time to reflect on what you’ve witnessed, the emotions it stirred, and what you learned from the experience. Journaling can be a helpful tool for this. Consider these questions:
What specific aspects of the situation bothered me most?
What did I learn about myself in this situation?
How can I use this experience to grow as a nurse and as a person?
Find something to be grateful for each day and incorporate gratitude into your journal. Remember that God does make all things good in time.
If you need to, seek spiritual guidance: Talk to a spiritual leader or trusted mentor. They can offer support, perspective, and guidance tailored to your faith.
Prioritize Self-Care: Rest is so important to well being. Nursing is demanding. Protect your sleep. Establish a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine. Fuel your body with healthy foods. Avoid relying on caffeine and sugary snacks for energy. Physical activity is a great stress reliever. Find an activity you enjoy, and take some time to do it. Make time for activities you enjoy outside of work. This helps you disconnect and recharge so you can be your best YOU. Learn to say “no” to extra commitments when you need to prioritize your well-being.
Self care can also look like: Connecting with Loved Ones/Spending time with family and friends who support you. You can also connect with other nurses, especially those in trauma. They understand the challenges you face and can offer valuable support.
Make room for Laughter & Joy:Find Humor: Even in difficult situations, finding moments of humor can be a powerful coping mechanism. Watch a funny movie or show (Parks N Rec is my fav!), read a humorous book, or spend time with people who make you laugh.
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, both big and small. This helps you stay motivated and positive.
Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms: After a particularly difficult case, talk to a trusted colleague, supervisor, or therapist. Debriefing helps you process your emotions and prevent burnout. Professional Counseling: Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you’re struggling to cope. A therapist can provide you with tools and strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and trauma. It's ok to not always be OK!
Learn to Detach: While empathy is essential in nursing, it’s also important to detach emotionally from the patient’s situation. This doesn’t mean you don’t care, but it allows you to provide the best possible care without becoming emotionally overwhelmed. Sometimes the best care and most loving thing you can do for someone is be the strength they need to provide care in the moment with minimal emotion.
Finally, Trust Your Intuition: You have been given a unique perspective and valuable insights. Trust your intuition and don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and for those who need a voice. Know your worth and advocate for your needs. This includes fair compensation, adequate staffing, and opportunities for professional development. Burn out is real and good management is key. As you gain experience, become a role model for other young women entering the field. Share your knowledge, offer support, and inspire them to achieve their goals too. Build a support system of quality care givers around you.
It may also help to Remember Your “Why”: When things get tough, remember why you chose this path. Your passion for helping others will sustain you through the challenges. For me, my "Why" has evolved as I've learned and that has helped to keep me grounded and focused on all of the good that is being done in difficult situations.
I hope you can incorporate some of these strategies into your life, to aid in building the emotional strength and resilience you need to thrive in the demanding but rewarding field of trauma nursing. Good luck!