on one task at a time results in us doing a better job , with fewer mistakes . There ’ s no shame in having a limit or a bad day . The same applies to those studying : it ’ s OK to prioritise your studies , assignments , practical logs and personal life . When prioritising , weigh up importance against urgency and include your clinical coach in your decisions so they can support you . Being a nurse is hard work , and being a nurse while studying is even harder .
Instead of turning inwards and continuing to overburden yourself , consider asking for support and focus on responding with gratitude rather than apologies . Chances are , you ’ ll be surprised by the positive reaction you ’ ll receive .
By thanking others for their help , rather than feeling guilty and apologising for needing it , the emphasis shifts to applauding the actions of others rather than undermining ourselves , which is far more uplifting and beneficial to all concerned . For example , if you ’ re having a bad day and need a shoulder to cry on , it can be difficult to reach out but , if you do , you ’ ll usually find colleagues are happy to help because they understand your frustrations . By thanking them and focusing on the positives that came from the encounter , instead of worrying about taking up their time , an overall positive effect will be enhanced for you and your colleagues .
Counteract toxic positivity by talking
Setting boundaries includes not regularly working outside your normal hours . There is an unhealthy culture around staying late and skipping breaks in all professions . It ’ s natural to want to help others and the practice , but home life is just as important . There are , of course , circumstances where staying late can ’ t be helped , but it shouldn ’ t be seen as a given . Having spoken to friends across a range of practices ( varying from small animal practices in London to mixed practices in the countryside and specialist referral hospitals ), there seems to be an expectation to overwork throughout the profession . Just because this is considered normal , it doesn ’ t mean it ’ s OK , which is why , within these practices , staff are starting to recognise their worth and move away from this culture . We should respect ourselves as we respect others .
Choose gratitude over apologies
It ’ s fine to take time out of your schedule to look after yourself . You can ’ t do your best work if you ’ re mentally exhausted , so don ’ t feel you have to apologise for not overworking . Ultimately , if we ’ re not looking after ourselves , we ’ ll burn out – the signs of which vary from person to person but often include a lack of motivation , generalised anxiety , exhaustion , insomnia , emotional vulnerability and being easily overwhelmed .
From personal experience I know that burnout can also show itself in the form of overworking , overstretching and hyperactivity . If you ’ re experiencing any of these symptoms , it might be time to reflect on how your perspective could be affecting your mental health and wellbeing .
There ’ s an unhelpful culture that celebrates a positive mental attitude in all circumstances and , in contrast , sees anything less as being unacceptably negative . This extreme mindset doesn ’ t allow for personal limits or boundaries . In reality , we all drift between these polar opposites and would benefit from conversations around how we are feeling and why we are struggling , rather than merely being labelled . These discussions are central to a healthy workplace . Being able to talk about your feelings and what you ’ re experiencing , with people who can empathise and offer alternative perspectives , is liberating . It also encourages others to feel comfortable to turn to you , which helps to counteract a toxic culture .
I openly discuss my mental health and medication with colleagues and have the same approach in college with my peers and tutors . Talking openly allows me to look after myself emotionally and physically . For example , if I notify others of a change to my medication that may make me feel ill , tutors can allow me to work from home , or the practice can keep me away from clinical waste . Openness also means my peers feel comfortable talking to me , and allow me to listen or help them navigate a problem – something I feel is a privilege . I ’ m fortunate that my practice is tightly knit and I ’ m aware this isn ’ t the case everywhere .
As a profession , we ’ re taught to hide emotions such as showing fear in the face of a fractious patient , or sadness when discussing euthanasia or a patient ’ s quality of life with a client . Recently , after a particularly challenging week , I got quite upset at the loss of a young patient who had been involved in a road traffic accident . It was my third patient to pass away in emergency circumstances that week ; it was the straw that broke the camel ’ s back . The vet I ’ d been working with told me not to be upset and that finally triggered me to cry . It opened up a conversation about how
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