4 answers
Lilian
Student
1
Question
Asked
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1. How stressful is it to see people at their worst? Is it hard to separate those emotions in your everyday life? 2. What are some tips you would give to your past self that would have helped you grow faster to get to your position? 3. What do you feel was the best form of studying to pass your test?
Im looking at becoming a Registered Nurse and then hopefully going into the field as a Critical Care Nurse.
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4 answers
John Levesque
Clinical Quality Nurse
75
Answers
Waterville, Maine
Updated
John’s Answer
In your role as a nurse, it's a given that at some point you will see people in the worst moments of their lives - especially if you work in a Critical Care setting. It's often the families experiencing loss or anticipated loss that will challenge you most. I agree with Stacy that trying to keep in mind that your role is to help patients and families as much as possible is a good approach. Just remember to be kind to yourself as well.
None of us gets to stop or prevent the inevitable. We are human and we all die eventually. Our role is to provide comfort as well as care and that can be hard to remember in the moment sometimes. The job is serious and it takes dedication and time to become very good, but you will need to counter your efforts with self-care to find a good balance. Exercise, in whatever form you prefer, is a wonderful way to bring down your anxiety and stress levels. Having a supportive partner who is willing to listen and share your experiences with you is also important. Maintaining friendships with people in similar fields of work can be helpful too because they will be able to understand what you have experienced and can help you navigate some difficult moments by having some tough conversations.
These days I'm married to a nurse and we support each other. I also spend many hours hiking or on my mountain bike to help clear my head. But when I was first starting out I had much less effective methods to address what I was feeling. I smoked and ate a poor diet. I was also married to someone who was not interested in hearing about or able to process me telling her what I had seen or experienced. Needless to say, these were not healthy or helpful coping mechanisms and after a few years, I figured out that I needed a different approach.
Taking care of people needs to start with yourself first. You can't be available or give someone the best care if you don't take care of yourself first. Be kind to yourself. Be patient. Be open to learning more. Find good friends. That's where you'll find strength and resilience.
Best of luck to you.
None of us gets to stop or prevent the inevitable. We are human and we all die eventually. Our role is to provide comfort as well as care and that can be hard to remember in the moment sometimes. The job is serious and it takes dedication and time to become very good, but you will need to counter your efforts with self-care to find a good balance. Exercise, in whatever form you prefer, is a wonderful way to bring down your anxiety and stress levels. Having a supportive partner who is willing to listen and share your experiences with you is also important. Maintaining friendships with people in similar fields of work can be helpful too because they will be able to understand what you have experienced and can help you navigate some difficult moments by having some tough conversations.
These days I'm married to a nurse and we support each other. I also spend many hours hiking or on my mountain bike to help clear my head. But when I was first starting out I had much less effective methods to address what I was feeling. I smoked and ate a poor diet. I was also married to someone who was not interested in hearing about or able to process me telling her what I had seen or experienced. Needless to say, these were not healthy or helpful coping mechanisms and after a few years, I figured out that I needed a different approach.
Taking care of people needs to start with yourself first. You can't be available or give someone the best care if you don't take care of yourself first. Be kind to yourself. Be patient. Be open to learning more. Find good friends. That's where you'll find strength and resilience.
Best of luck to you.
Your advice was so helpful!
Lilian
Stephanie Anne Pratt, CPACC
Web Accessibility Consultant
1
Answer
Ambler, Pennsylvania
Updated
Stephanie Anne’s Answer
Not sure how much this relates to nursing but I know someone who works in law enforcement. I strongly recommended that he see a therapist to deal with the everyday stresses of his job. But the main reason I suggested it was because if he experienced something traumatic at work down the line, he would already have a relationship with a therapist who could help him get through it. He did have a traumatic event (witnessing a teenager dying after getting hit by a car) and said he didn't know how he would have been able to process it without the relationship he built with his therapist.
Stacy McCarthy
Flight Nurse
1
Answer
Elk Grove, California
Updated
Stacy’s Answer
Yes, seeing people at their worst can be stressful. You should have an idea about yourself and your ability to handle stress. I tend to focus on the helping - what I am able to do to help people in the worst times of their lives, and I find that quite fulfilling and rewarding. However, having a good support system and healthy coping mechanisms are essential. For me, that includes coworkers and a partner who I can debrief with and my love of exercise which is a great stress outlet. It is important to have healthy outlets, and to take care of yourself mentally and physically. This could be meditation, yoga, walking, hiking, biking, swimming, painting, therapy, music (listening or making), ... whatever your "self-care" is. Whatever rejuvenates and recharges you, and makes you happy.
To progress in your nursing career, take advantage of learning opportunities. You will hear about continuing education classes that are not required, but they are available. Take them. Learn new things. New and varied knowledge and skills are always helpful. They also show ambition and motivation to potential employers. Do you want to do the bare minimum, or are you someone who likes new challenges and seeks growth?
I can tell you how I like to study, but that may not be the best way for you. There are online quizzes, and maybe a little self-reflection will help you identify your preferred learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic). This will probable help you determine what works best for you in preparing for a test. I recently attended a certification review live, rather than purchasing the at home study option because I know a live presentation will hold my attention better. In studying for national certification exams, I prefer sample quizzes that offer rationale for both the correct and incorrect answers. My brain seems to assimilate the information better in that format. However, I have friends and colleagues who prefer flashcards and have used either paper cards or apps to make flashcards. I have other friends who do really well reading textbooks. Think about what you have used in the past and what seems most comfortable and most effective for you. Don't force yourself to use what works for someone else.
See if you can find an RN to shadow. That may give you real-world insight into a day in the life of an RN.
To progress in your nursing career, take advantage of learning opportunities. You will hear about continuing education classes that are not required, but they are available. Take them. Learn new things. New and varied knowledge and skills are always helpful. They also show ambition and motivation to potential employers. Do you want to do the bare minimum, or are you someone who likes new challenges and seeks growth?
I can tell you how I like to study, but that may not be the best way for you. There are online quizzes, and maybe a little self-reflection will help you identify your preferred learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic). This will probable help you determine what works best for you in preparing for a test. I recently attended a certification review live, rather than purchasing the at home study option because I know a live presentation will hold my attention better. In studying for national certification exams, I prefer sample quizzes that offer rationale for both the correct and incorrect answers. My brain seems to assimilate the information better in that format. However, I have friends and colleagues who prefer flashcards and have used either paper cards or apps to make flashcards. I have other friends who do really well reading textbooks. Think about what you have used in the past and what seems most comfortable and most effective for you. Don't force yourself to use what works for someone else.
Stacy recommends the following next steps:
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Lilian
Mark Moseley
Retired
26
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Mark’s Answer
I'd be happy to share my thoughts on this! In the type of work that I do, there have been times when people have passed away and it's literally been my responsibility, like because I made a stupid mistake. It's tough to deal with, but when you're around people who are unwell, it can happen eventually. The important thing is to believe in yourself and, in my case, trust in God. Having faith gives me the strength to do what I do.
When you trust yourself entirely, you'll find moments of immense happiness, like when you save someone who everyone thought was gone. You'll get to share that joy with their loved ones. In this journey, there will definitely be some challenging times, but also some truly incredible, unforgettable moments that can bring tears to your eyes when you think back on them.
To keep going through the tough times, try to focus on all the positive memories and experiences. Gradually, the difficult memories will fade away and not weigh on your mind. Wishing you all the best in your journey!
When you trust yourself entirely, you'll find moments of immense happiness, like when you save someone who everyone thought was gone. You'll get to share that joy with their loved ones. In this journey, there will definitely be some challenging times, but also some truly incredible, unforgettable moments that can bring tears to your eyes when you think back on them.
To keep going through the tough times, try to focus on all the positive memories and experiences. Gradually, the difficult memories will fade away and not weigh on your mind. Wishing you all the best in your journey!
Thank you so much!
Lilian