Nurses in Distress

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Nurses in Distress

• It can happen
• By Phyllis Bell

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Times of Doubt and Fear

• Do you doubt your skills sometimes?
• Do you find it hard to think under pressure?
• Do you question yourself more than before?

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Doubt and Fear cont.

• Do you constantly fear that you may make the
  wrong decision?
• Should I call 911 ???
• Do you wrestle withSurely it isnt an
  emergency??

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More Doubts and Fears.

• Do you find yourself fearing, dreading what may
  come in the door next?

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Being a School Nurse

• We are the only ONE on a campus of 600-2500
  people daily.
• NO ONE knows what we DO, and how HARD we have to
  think of WHAT we DO.
• It seems at times, we are on an island.

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Traumatic Events at School

• As Nurses, we can and will be traumatized by
  events.
• Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome affects Nurses
  too!
• Recognize the symptoms and get help early. YOU
  ARE WORTH IT.

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You are worth it!!!

• Take charge of your life. You CAN find the time
  for YOU.
• Journalto yourself, your children, to God.
• Learn new things.

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Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome

• Emotional and physical response to a traumatic
  event in ones life.
• It can, and will, affect EVERY part of your life.
• You are doing nothing wrong, you have an illness.

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Recognizing the Symptoms

• Unusual thought patterns
• Difficulty making decisions, concentrating
• Fatigue
• Possible depression
• Sleep disturbance
• Unusual fears, worries, etc.
• Change in immune system, getting sick often

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Breaking Free

• Recognize the symptoms
• Be HONEST with yourself
• Admit you NEED something.why is that hard for us
  nurses!

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Breaking Free cont..

• The KEY is looking at yourself as if you are
• TRANSPARENT.
• Be willing to do whatever it takes.

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Step 1

• Seek help from a qualified professional such as a
  Psychologist.
• You need someone who will pick your brain and not
  just tell you that you are ok.

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Step 2

• Meet with that person often
• Take notes. . When you are stressed you
  cannot remember as well.
• Journal.
• FEEL the improvement, FAST !

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Step 3

• They will tell you to remember the TRUTHS..
• We often talk to ourselves in ways that are not
  constructive. Has that ever happened to you?
• REMEMBER the TRUTHS.

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Step 4

• Realize you CANNOT DO IT ALONE.
• Our wisdom comes from a higher source.
• Lean on the source. Ask for daily renewal of
  that wisdom from the source.
• Ask DAILY. Seek DAILY.

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Step 5

• Post quick and helpful reminders where you can
  see them if needed.
• Such as
• If I have to think it over to call an ambulance,
  I am probably wrong.
• If X Y or Z is happening, I WILL call 911.
• I can handle anything.

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Step 6

• Seek out educational opportunities to enhance
  your confidence and skills.
• Conferences, online work, first aid courses,
  local EMS ride-alongs, additional nursing
  journals, etc.

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Step 7 (all the way thru)

• TALK with others.
• Talking with other peers helps you sort it out in
  your mind.
• We can, and should, help one another.

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Enjoy the Healing Process

• Remember, it is ongoing.
• You are only going to get better and stronger.
• Nursing is a Work of the Heart.

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