The demands are too great and the workers too few:
How can I cope?

When I worked at the hospital part time, I never had a clue of what to expect when I went to work. Each time there were different patients on the unit. Sometimes it was like walking into a nightmare with all the needs and responsibilities hitting me at once as I tried to assess the situation and meet the most urgent needs first. Sometimes they all seemed urgent.

I always wondered as I prepareed for work what I would face. Would there be enough time to provide the care I had been trained to give? Would there be patients whose demands for lesser needs stole time I needed for patients with more critical needs? Would some of my patients "go bad" or even die?

Would I leave work at the end of my shift feeling I had accomplished someting and met the needs I was assigned to? Or would I go away feeling beaten, defeated, inadequate because the demands were too great and the workers to few?

At the clinic there are different stresses. Our multi-specialty clinic went through a major change as it was bought out by a large coorporation, then sold 4 years later. Many of the physicians are now in a medical foundation of a local hospital. Others, like the one I work for, decided to go independent.

This brought new stresses. The disorganization of change was difficult as we worked through the initial steps of going solo. The demands of a fast-paced office with a minimal staff continues to be trying at times.

No matter where we work, nursing is hard. How can we cope?

Sometimes I don't cope so well. But here are some things I try to do:

• I determine to keep a positive attitude. Not only will I be happier, but so will my patients and co-workers.
  
  
• I commit myself to doing my best with what I have to work with.
  
  
• I try to spend a few minutes relaxing before I go to work. This way I don't feel I am going straight from the "taking care of things at home" job into a second job.
  
  
• As I walk across the parking lot toward my workplace, I ask God to not give me more than I can handle. I remember that he is able to help me through any situation I will face today.

Find more help by exploring other links in our coping section.