Take ownership of the situation
“There is a crack in everything, That’s how the light gets in.”
Things can turn sour at work very quickly. An abusive colleague, disciplinary action against you, maybe you made a massive mistake with disastrous consequences. There are many situations where you may suddenly feel overwhelmed with emotions, doubts, and fear.
You can’t control what others say or do, but you can choose your actions and reactions. Always remember that you are only human and every human makes mistakes. That’s how we learn.
Safety - If you feel unsafe, frightened, or excessively emotional then remove yourself from the situation. If you need to take a sick day then do so, no need to explain why. Your employer has no legal right to ask why you are taking time off. Don’t let your emotions ruin your future.
Minimise harm - If you are excessively emotional then it is best to keep your mouth shut until you are in a safe place with someone you can trust. Do not react. Do not assume your manager, supervisor, clinical educator, or anyone will keep your conversation confidential. They have a duty to report your behaviour and your mental state to your employer and the registration board.
Find a private space and call Nurse and Midwife Support on 1800 667 877.
Focus on Solutions - Avoid blaming others for what has happened. We all make mistakes, and resolution is easier if everyone feels safe and supported. If anyone feels they are under attack, judged, or blamed then they may erect protective barriers around them or resort to violent reactions in order to deflect the attention. If it is your mistake, don’t fall into self-loathing but focus on solutions in order to resolve the issue with minimal farther harm. Remember the rules of open disclosure - you can apologise and express regret but don’t blame anyone or anything.
Saying sorry: a guide to apologising and expressing regret during open disclosure. This is a guide for health providers in how to deal with mistakes without inflicting greater harm.
Reflection - Write a reflective journal as soon as you can. We can only learn from our most challenging experiences when we undertake a thorough analysis of them. We need to think about events not only by what it meant to us, but also what it meant to others. We need to shift our focus and our perceptions around, and a structured reflective practice process is the best way of doing that to enable us to grow and become better at our job. The more effort you put into your reflection, the greater your achievements are going to be.
Nursing Times - Using reflective practice in frontline nursing. This is a great article explaining a variety of processes of reflection with examples, and why they are important.
Stay Healthy - Pay attention to your health, your diet and exercise. Avoid sugar, fats, and alcohol as these can lower your mood and make it more difficult to sort your problems out. Take time for exercise, even if it is just walking, as exercise helps to lift your mood and improves brain function.
Recovery
Recover the person you are meant to be. The mental trauma from a tough workplace can turn you into someone you don’t want to be, someone you may be ashamed of. You need to recover your true self in order to recover from the setback you have experienced.
Define your values - these are the landmarks in your life that guide you when situations become unclear, when emotions cloud your judgment, and when others attempt to push you down the wrong path. You can setup your core values to become the beacons that guide you no matter what situation you find yourself in.
Define your own personal vision and your mission for the future - what would your perfect world look like? If you could do anything at all, what would you contribute to achieving this vision?
By setting these down in writing, and by constantly revisiting them, you are providing yourself with a beacon to lead you from the turmoil you are in.