No matter how much you love your job, every now and then you have one of those days where nothing seems to be going right. You’re stressed, overwhelmed, and in the weeds. You’ve about had it with your patient’s overly aggressive family member. Take a deep breath and try using one of these simple mantras to help calm and focus your mind.
“The worst day out of bed is better than the best day in bed.”
No matter how bad your day is going, it’s still better than any of your patients’ days. Even though your feet hurt and you missed your lunch break, you’re up and moving and not in a hospital bed. Saying this humbling mantra can help put things into better perspective and remind you why you love your job.
“This is somebody’s mother/daughter/father/son/friend.”
During hectic times, it’s important to remind yourself that the irritating patient you’re dealing with is a person, not just a patient. It’s important not to get so wrapped up in a care plan that you forget the person you’re treating has a life outside the hospital that they’d like to get back to. They’re not just a bundle of demands, but a human who doesn’t want to be in a hospital bed any more than you do.
“It’s a bad day for X.”
This mantra can be especially helpful when dealing with a difficult friend or family member of the patient in question. Nobody can have a truly good day when they’re worried about their loved one that is stuck in the hospital. Therefore, most people you meet aren’t going to be at their best and may redirect their irritation or worry onto you. Stay calm and forgive them by reminding yourself that they’re not having a good day either.
“I can leave at the end of the shift.”
When your shift is over you can leave. You get to go home to your friends, family members, cats, or dogs. Your patient can’t. They’re family can, but they’ll still be worried. No matter how chaotic things are at the moment, remember that when the day is over you can head home and decompress.
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