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How do you separate your feelings and emotions from difficult decisions?
Hello, after spending some time searching for the ideal career for me, I discovered two that particularly piqued my interest: becoming a nurse practitioner and registered nurse. I realized how much I like helping people when I was very young, and I believe that both these jobs are the finest way to do it.
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9 answers
Dr. Wendy Cole Ph.D, MSN, RN
Professor at a university, COO,Informatics Consultant
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Dr. Wendy’s Answer
Hi Tanjina,
I echo Kyle's post! Everything here is good advice to follow. I would add to that with the fact that before becoming a nurse practitioner, you have to be a nurse (RN) first! The nurse practitioner is at the Master's level so that means you will need to complete a bachelor degree in nursing first. There are a multitude of BSN-to-MSN programs to help you attain your practitioner goals. Research the type of practitioner you might want to become ( even consider Nurse Anesthetist and Clinical Informaticist) and work backwards for planning.
Best of luck to you
-Dr. Cole
I echo Kyle's post! Everything here is good advice to follow. I would add to that with the fact that before becoming a nurse practitioner, you have to be a nurse (RN) first! The nurse practitioner is at the Master's level so that means you will need to complete a bachelor degree in nursing first. There are a multitude of BSN-to-MSN programs to help you attain your practitioner goals. Research the type of practitioner you might want to become ( even consider Nurse Anesthetist and Clinical Informaticist) and work backwards for planning.
Best of luck to you
-Dr. Cole
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
Hi Tanjina,
What beautiful insight to have while navigating your career trajectory. Nice to "e-meet" you. I currently work as a pediatric nurse practitioner and started my nursing journey in 2008, before finding my niche in nursing with pediatric critical care. Having heart to help people is one driving factor to help accomplish your goals, and the self awareness for professional boundaries and mental health will continue to help you thrive in the field of nursing. Everybody is different in how they perceive and process the emotional aspect of the job, and there are many ways people cope.
A good therapist/counselor who you can vibe with, can offer "life coaching," hear your perspective, and provide professional advice to keep your mind well while performing your best in the profession. Solidifying your exercise/walking/workout regimen into a daily habit will also help, not only to expend energy, but to also increase BDNF factor, which alleviates stress, promotes happy hormones, and ease of mind. Most of all, tap into healthy habits that can allow your mind to find grounding amidst the uneasiness of the world, like petting your pets, listening to relaxing music, meditation, etc. Practicing conversations with patient simulations or with standardized patient actors can also ease the tension, as it allows us healthcare providers to gain insight on how a conversation can go. You can use that piece of information to move forward and help with the next difficult conversation.
When I find myself in situations where I have to deliver bad news at work and I catch the sad feels, I sometimes cry, not a sob, but shed some tears, we are all human. I've let out big cries before too, but I usually reserve that for when I have personal time, or to let it out with a fellow colleague, who understands the situation, or my therapist. The situations we healthcare providers experience amongst our patients and families demonstrate how vulnerable humans can be and remind us of how precious time and people are. Dealing with these emotions are not easy, but you can set yourself up for success if you prepare your mental health as best as you can, on a daily basis.
After all, how can we take care of patients, when we can't take care of ourselves? :)
What beautiful insight to have while navigating your career trajectory. Nice to "e-meet" you. I currently work as a pediatric nurse practitioner and started my nursing journey in 2008, before finding my niche in nursing with pediatric critical care. Having heart to help people is one driving factor to help accomplish your goals, and the self awareness for professional boundaries and mental health will continue to help you thrive in the field of nursing. Everybody is different in how they perceive and process the emotional aspect of the job, and there are many ways people cope.
A good therapist/counselor who you can vibe with, can offer "life coaching," hear your perspective, and provide professional advice to keep your mind well while performing your best in the profession. Solidifying your exercise/walking/workout regimen into a daily habit will also help, not only to expend energy, but to also increase BDNF factor, which alleviates stress, promotes happy hormones, and ease of mind. Most of all, tap into healthy habits that can allow your mind to find grounding amidst the uneasiness of the world, like petting your pets, listening to relaxing music, meditation, etc. Practicing conversations with patient simulations or with standardized patient actors can also ease the tension, as it allows us healthcare providers to gain insight on how a conversation can go. You can use that piece of information to move forward and help with the next difficult conversation.
When I find myself in situations where I have to deliver bad news at work and I catch the sad feels, I sometimes cry, not a sob, but shed some tears, we are all human. I've let out big cries before too, but I usually reserve that for when I have personal time, or to let it out with a fellow colleague, who understands the situation, or my therapist. The situations we healthcare providers experience amongst our patients and families demonstrate how vulnerable humans can be and remind us of how precious time and people are. Dealing with these emotions are not easy, but you can set yourself up for success if you prepare your mental health as best as you can, on a daily basis.
After all, how can we take care of patients, when we can't take care of ourselves? :)
This was super helpful, thank you!
Tanjina
Updated
Alex’s Answer
Tanjina,
Separating your feelings and emotions from difficult decisions is not an easy thing to do, however there ways ways around that. It appears when it comes to the nursing career that you are interested in, there is a level of excitement involved, rightly so. At some point before you make the decision to dive in, try to find ways to volunteer either in care facility or an hospital for a few days, try to connect with other nurses and get their unbiased opinion about the field, the pros and cons.
After performing these activities you will then get a true sense of whether a nursing career is the right choice for you or not.
Best of luck!
Separating your feelings and emotions from difficult decisions is not an easy thing to do, however there ways ways around that. It appears when it comes to the nursing career that you are interested in, there is a level of excitement involved, rightly so. At some point before you make the decision to dive in, try to find ways to volunteer either in care facility or an hospital for a few days, try to connect with other nurses and get their unbiased opinion about the field, the pros and cons.
After performing these activities you will then get a true sense of whether a nursing career is the right choice for you or not.
Best of luck!
Thank you, Alex for the advice.
Tanjina
Updated
Jasmine’s Answer
Tanjina,
It is a beautiful thing that you love helping people. Nursing is a rewarding and in need.
As a former worker in the medical field I have seen a lot of horrific and/or sad endings. One thing I did learn is it can take an emotional toll on you. However, it is a thing that gets easier as time goes on (as odd as that is to say). Medical groups always allow you emotional support resources if and or when you need them.
I suggest in any walk of life to seek a good therapist. Therefore, you can help navigate through tough situations at work and/or at home.
It is a beautiful thing that you love helping people. Nursing is a rewarding and in need.
As a former worker in the medical field I have seen a lot of horrific and/or sad endings. One thing I did learn is it can take an emotional toll on you. However, it is a thing that gets easier as time goes on (as odd as that is to say). Medical groups always allow you emotional support resources if and or when you need them.
I suggest in any walk of life to seek a good therapist. Therefore, you can help navigate through tough situations at work and/or at home.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Tanjina
Updated
Sophie’s Answer
Tanjina,
that's awesome that you enjoy helping people and the medical field can definitely allow you to get involved with helping others. One of my suggestions would be to perhaps volunteer a few hours a week to shadow a nurse and ask questions. This will give you an opportunity to see if this is a good career for you. The medical field has so many areas you could work in so just try different parts of the field to get a better understanding of what you want to do.
that's awesome that you enjoy helping people and the medical field can definitely allow you to get involved with helping others. One of my suggestions would be to perhaps volunteer a few hours a week to shadow a nurse and ask questions. This will give you an opportunity to see if this is a good career for you. The medical field has so many areas you could work in so just try different parts of the field to get a better understanding of what you want to do.
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Tanjina
Updated
Ronett’s Answer
Separating your feelings and emotions from difficult decisions can be challenging, but here are a few strategies that might help:
Identify your emotions: Take a moment to identify and acknowledge the emotions you are experiencing. Try to label them specifically, such as fear, sadness, anger, or frustration. By acknowledging your emotions, you can gain more clarity on the source of your feelings and work through them in a more rational way.
Take a step back: When facing a difficult decision, it can be helpful to take a step back and create some distance between your emotions and the decision. Try to view the situation objectively and consider the facts and evidence available to you.
Consider the pros and cons: Make a list of the pros and cons of each decision, and try to weigh them objectively. Ask yourself: What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of each option? How do they align with my values and goals?
Seek advice: Seek advice from a trusted friend, family member, or professional. Someone who is not emotionally invested in the decision may be able to provide a more objective perspective.
Practice mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help calm your emotions and clear your mind.
Remember, it's okay to have emotions and to let them be a part of the decision-making process. However, it's important to be aware of your emotions and not let them cloud your judgment when making important decisions.
Identify your emotions: Take a moment to identify and acknowledge the emotions you are experiencing. Try to label them specifically, such as fear, sadness, anger, or frustration. By acknowledging your emotions, you can gain more clarity on the source of your feelings and work through them in a more rational way.
Take a step back: When facing a difficult decision, it can be helpful to take a step back and create some distance between your emotions and the decision. Try to view the situation objectively and consider the facts and evidence available to you.
Consider the pros and cons: Make a list of the pros and cons of each decision, and try to weigh them objectively. Ask yourself: What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of each option? How do they align with my values and goals?
Seek advice: Seek advice from a trusted friend, family member, or professional. Someone who is not emotionally invested in the decision may be able to provide a more objective perspective.
Practice mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help calm your emotions and clear your mind.
Remember, it's okay to have emotions and to let them be a part of the decision-making process. However, it's important to be aware of your emotions and not let them cloud your judgment when making important decisions.
Thank you, Ronett for the advice.
Tanjina
Updated
Cindy’s Answer
Your emotions should be acknowledged as part of the process...especially in the medical field where you are caring for other people. However, to make the best decision for the business (or in this case, the medical field), you default to your training for decision making. In more business oriented situations, making a pros and cons list helps to quickly identify the emotional bend toward a particular decision and better assess the better answer.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Tanjina
Updated
Michael’s Answer
A first step can be to write out a list of pros and cons, perhaps assign a value to each, then see which comes out ahead. Do research, educate yourself about all sides of the decision, what the pros and cons really are. More importantly, confer with a friend, teacher, mentor, or a person who is in the position you are interested in. Get an unbiased opinion. Most folks are happy to talk about what they do.
In the end, though, you may have a gut feeling of which is right, independent of the pros and cons. Some folks go with their gut.
Consult parents, friends, people who hold the job you are looking for
Research the position. Approach the decision from a position of knowledge
Write out pros and cons, compare
Record whatever gut feeling you have. Are you relieved after making your decision?
In the end, though, you may have a gut feeling of which is right, independent of the pros and cons. Some folks go with their gut.
Michael recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for giving me advice. I will definitely try doing it.
Tanjina
Updated
Kyle’s Answer
Lots of great advice here! One thing I always try to do when emotion is involved (whether a big decision or an argument with my spouse!) is step back and write about what's happening as if a third-party is watching it all unfold. What would a random person see if they were observing me go through this/make decisions? What side would they fall on if they weren't invested? Sometimes it's just enough to help me get over that emotional hurdle. Good luck!
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Tanjina