How Can Nurses Protect Themselves And Remain In Their Profession?

When you think of 25 years in a profession like nursing, the obstacles to overcome are many if those years are to keep a nurse in that designated area of employment. There are many safety nets that can be put into place to help maintain that career over that time when you consider these facts from a 44 year veteran now retired.

One of the important things that is not taught in nursing school which is how to maintain a semblance of mental and physical order to live life outside of working. The dedication required by a nurse shows in her body language and attitude long before she addresses patient needs. With that dedication, it is vital to devise a plan to be able to immediately separate the nurse, that intense devotion to caring and pull apart from that , to not be burdened with thoughts and any work related thinking when away from the duties of the shift.

A simple solution is imagery. Place an imaginary receptacle outside the work place door. As soon as the shift has ended and the time sheet satisfied, your work plans and thoughts go into that work receptacle. This basic psychology depositing frees up your body and mind to accept the safe travel home without concentration of the duty filled day and an entrance into the home as another person. If you live alone, you get to examine the mail, pour a cup of tea, smell the flowers on the table and rejuvenate yourself for you.

As a family member and nurse you have thought about your family enough to leave your cares of the job in the receptacle to safely journey to the school to pick up the children after school practices and be their cheerful mother or father. Keeping in mind they have no idea what your day was like, but they sure do want to tell you about theirs. With an open mind and willingness to want to be a part of that life now, you have allowed that all to begin anew with your connectedness with your loved ones by leaving most of your stress in the make believe container outside your work place.

Your next shift sign in requires you to collect that deposit you left yesterday or whenever you used the psychology for your health, wellness and to keep you in the profession you would like to be in for as long as you desire.