If you are a Nurse, you will have a stressful shift, day or client encounter. Being a vessel in the healing process of humans can get stressful at times. This is from the bedside to the boardroom and even as a CEO of your own company. Stressful shifts will happen! Stressful days happen in life in general. My purpose is to teach you how to be the S.T.A.R. of your stressful shift in 4 actionable steps.

How to be the S.T.A.R. of your Stressful Shift?

Step 1: Start with what went well in your day.

A moment of stress can erase the memories of the other events of the day that went well. Think about it… Have you ever experienced a day where one moment went wrong and you were upset most of your day based on that one moment? I have been there too. Let’s practice focusing on what went well during the shift. Energy grows where energy goes and we must focus on the positive of the day.

Step 2: Tell yourself what you learned today.

In my career, when I had a stressful shift, I have always learned something new during the shift as well. I learned how to handle my emotions better. I learned something new in my practice. As you are experiencing the stressful shift, think about the lesson of it all. Tell yourself what you learned about yourself or your practice today.

Step 3: Ask yourself what could’ve been better & How.

As you are decompressing from the stressful shift, ask yourself what made it stressful and how it could have been better or less stressful. Focusing on stressful situations with the solution in mind will make you better in the future. What made the events of the day stressful for you? How could it have been less stressful? Add this into your practice toolbox for the next stressful shift.

Step 4: Release your feelings in a journal or activity that helps you decompress.

Stressful Shifts Will Happen:

It is normal for you to feel the way you felt today. Stressful shifts cause you to feel overwhelmed. You must release those feelings in a way that works best for you. This could be in a journal or activity, such as meditation, that helps you release the negativity energy from the stressful event. 

As long as you are a Nurse, you will have shifts that are stressful. However, every shift will NOT be stressful. When you do encounter a stressful shift, utilize these tips to empower you to turn the stressful shift into a learning opportunity. I’m more than a decade into my nursing career and still have stressful shifts from time to time. I offer you these tips as I also utilize them to keep me focused and purpose driven as a Nurse.