Many people think of nursing as challenging because of dealing with things such as vomit, sputum, and blood but what they do not realize is that dealing with body fluids is simpler than to handle emotions. Nurses are humans too, and emotions can get better of them. Feelings for nurses come from witnessing suffering by patients and dealing with complicated persons or work situations. Managing emotions is not a lesson in nursing school or part of orientation hence nurses must learn how to cope.
These are the way that nurses can control their emotions.
1.Develop emotional intelligence
The first step to emotional intelligence is to identify emotions and the buttons that trigger them. Emotional intelligence is an ability to identify and manage your feelings and those affecting others. For instance, it is essential to go through the reports about the next patient if you are a nurse who does not like dealing with patients who are dependent on drugs. Knowing about it in advance helps to recognize the trigger and prepare to stay calm before attending to the patient. You can, for instance, take deep breaths by doing something simple smiling at the patient because it helps to lighten the mood.
Emotional intelligence is more important than technical skills and cognitive abilities to determine leadership ability. Successful nurses were found to have above average emotional intelligence and due to the evidence showing that EI is essential to be a happy, successful nurse.
2.Avoid personalizing issues
Nurses should know that patients and their loved ones suffer much stress. It is essential to understand that they at that moment see nurses as an extension of a hospital or practice and do not mean to demean anyone as an individual when they unleash anger or fear. The best approach is to transfer their excesses to the healthcare institution and remove you from such situations. You can, for instance, explain an intense situation to a floor manager and leave the responsibility to manage it with her or him. Taking a few minutes away from workstation after the emotions session will help to clear the head calm nerves and recharge.