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Most people in the medical profession agree that a nursing career can often be stressful; it comes with the territory of caring for those who are ill and injured. And on an average day, well-trained nurses are more than capable of managing the day to day stressors that their profession brings. But there are also those occasional shifts that bring nurses to their knees, putting them in need of restorative tactics. Here are some solutions for bringing a nurse back from the brink after a rough shift.

Let’s Be Brief

After a rough shift, it helps to debrief with colleagues  who have also had a tough day. Reviewing what didn’t go well and determining how events could have been better managed can be educational or reinforce that the decisions made were the best possible options. And the opportunity to share the days’ struggles can be a great bonding experience for the team.

Break Up the Monotony

Break up the routine. Take a different or longer route home. Taking the long way home can provide valuable time to clear the mind and break up the “autopilot” to which we tend to default on our commutes.

Take Time to Be Quiet

Play soothing or instrumental music on the radio, or leave it off altogether. Patient care can be extremely noisy, especially in acute and long-term care facilities. After a long shift of constant noise, a little oasis of quiet can be very soothing. After you get home, continue to limit external stimuli for a while. Keep that Zen mode going a little longer if you’re able.

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Happiness is a Warm Puppy, or Kitten, or…

Are you a pet owner or lover? It’s a wonderful thing after a long day to be greeted at the door by a faithful companion, but take it a bit further. A long walk with your dog or some snuggle time with your cat, ferret, or another small animal can help you detach from the day. Your focus is shifted from your own worries to the needs and appreciation of your furry friend. If you don’t have a pet yourself, perhaps you can visit a friend or neighbors’ dog. Petting an animal lowers blood pressure and facilitates the release of relaxation hormones.

Sleep it Off

Taking a nap or reading something simple and calming can help bring you back to balance by focusing your mind on something other than the friction of the day you’ve had.

Fresh Start

Even if your work isn’t necessarily as grimy as some careers, most nurses make it a point to bathe after a shift. A shower or a soak in the tub cleanses off the residue of the day and leaves you fresh and ready for bed.

However you choose to spend your time after a rough shift, it’s important to make sure that you know how to take care of yourself. 

Elizabeth Binsfield, BA, RN
Latest posts by Elizabeth Binsfield, BA, RN (see all)
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