How do you fill your cup?

Posts: 28 · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 3:55 pm

I was once asked " How do you fill your cup at the end of the day?".
(props to Jill for the clever statement) So I am curious - All of my fellow nurses:
At the end of a long hard day, after all of the responsibility, the tears, the laughter, the next call bell, the next commode chair,the pleasure,the abuse, the next code...how do you revive and refill that cup that has been emptied every shift? We all have lives to come home to with families and partners and children to care for. It would be great if you would share your secrets for filling your spirits back up not only for yourself and your loved ones, but for your patients again the next shift.

Posts: 84 · Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Posts: 84 Location: ohio

not yet a nurse officially.......will begin my nurses aid job tuesday. i am very interested in hearing what suggestions you all may have.
how do we as nurses (i am a nurse wanta be at the moment) how do you refill??
great question-- i am gonna be listening and taking notes for sure

Posts: 223 · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 223

Different things at different times in my career. In the past, it was exercise, reading, soaking in a hot tub, planning and making improvements to my house, or planning that special vacation. Hanging out with people who are not nurses also helps, because it reminds me that life isn't all about sickness and disease.

These days, I've added regular attendance and involvement in my church and two Welsh Corgi puppies. Dogs are always so "in the moment" and they remind me to just enjoy life today. Plus, they always give me great big puppy kisses when I come home from work.

Posts: 2 · Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Miami

I begin Nursing School this January...it's been a long process getting to this point in my life...I am so excited.

Dealing with stress and "refilling that cup" at the end of the day is so important....that goes for anyone really.

-I spend lot's of time with my dog---she is my "fuzz therapy."

- I go jogging and listen to whatever music helps me get pumped and get out my sadness and anger from the day.

-I speak to my parents on a regular basis....my loved ones help me keep focused and remember why I work hard. I don't know what I would do without my mom and dad! Smile

-I love cooking----so I try to open a cook book and just totally zone out into whatever I am preparing......it's like meditation for me.

---also, I have learved to say NO to people when they demand my free time....It sounds silly, but I sometimes have a hard time saying no to people when they ask for help on something....pretty soon you spread yourself so thin that there is no time to "put back in your cup."

Posts: 28 · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:08 pm

I am disappointed in the lack of replies compared to the views.
Come on nurses. Does this mean we don't know how to fill the cup!

Posts: 10 · Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 10

I'd have to say friends and family are the biggest things in my cup as I finish school. Working out when I have the time to vent. I think everyone should find a hobby and loose themselves in it at least once a week. Just have a you time. Last weeks project was drawing a portrait of my husband and I, next week....who knows? Blasting the music when your home alone and dancing is always my personal favoriote, but that's not eveyrones style....find yours.

Posts: 2 · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 2 Location: North Carolina

I remember one day after work when I was working at a skilled facility up in Cleveland Ohio....We had a man who had been a stroke victim for several years. He had a big bad mean temper and I was warned about how he likes to punch people when they are taking care of him. We had developed a relationship him and I so that he understood I was always aware of him and his moods. He grabbed my wrist one day while I was giving him his g-tube feeding and was about to sling Ensure everywhere. I stood firm and still and said this, "Now "his name" we both know that if you throw this stuff everywhere, I'll just have to clean it up and start all over again..." He looked at me...btw, he was paralyzed on one side so he only had use of one hand...he looked and he let go of my wrist and let me continue. The man was in his right mind but was mad at the world. When we moved a newer resident into his room he got to listen to Christian TV all day every day for a very long time...well I bet it seemed that way to him Smile

but one day I knew that "his name" needed Jesus and I risked my job when i said to him, "Jesus loves you!" For the first time since I had known him, he looked at me and He Smiled! I think that filled my cup full because he accepted my very simple witness to him and btw, He was not able to speak either. God Bless! Emmie-san

Posts: 4 · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 4 Location: mississippi

I have three of the best friends that I found in nursing school 7 years ago. We managed to stay in touch at least once a week since we graduated. How can you laugh about the things that happen at work unless you laugh with a friend that understands what it is like to have your hair blown back by a doctor or to give a pt. an emesis basin only to have them ralph on your shoes?? We get together at least once a month for dinner and drink a glass of wine (okay = a few glasses) and laugh and enjoy each other's company. Only a nurse can appreciate all that you do in a days work. It is the best source of relaxation I can imagine.

Posts: 4 · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Denver

Its a drag sometimes to be a nurse.I work ER and all the drunks, od, cpr, MI, CVA, STDs...not to mention crappy staffing and other issues. The only thing that gets me through my shift is to be a real person and work hard to stay positive. I make alot of jokes with the coworkers and docs, but esp. if appropriate, the patients. Okay its not always appropriate, but as long as I'm not mean, I do. I get to know people..it reminds me of my humanity and why I care. I love people, even when they can piss me off. Its real life and I see it all. When I go home, I sleep alot so my next 12 hours won't be so hard. Personal time and pampering is essential. And I bond as much as I can with family and friends. Keep it positive and be the nurse you always wanted for your family and friends. I really do what I think I can do because I want to do it.

Posts: 21 · Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Colorado

Sunshine, I think my body requires an extra dose of sunshine. Time spent doing just about anything other than work in the sunshine keeps me going!

- Feeling the vibe
My Blog

Posts: 28 · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 3:32 pm

You guys are awesome. I guess I should tell you how I fill my cup if I'm asking. I love cooking. I try all the flavors of the world and come home and try to recreate them. To play in the kitchen with music going and drink a glass of red wine is my kind of relaxation. However, in the years that have passed, I have mostly worked as a bone marrow transplant nurse. Cancer of all sorts. I learned that I get my cup filled AT work. The situations I come across have all happened before-just the faces and names change. I have the answers to the questions they are looking for. But what seams to have happened over the years is that my patients blessed me and gave me such faith and courage . The odd family comes along that needs me to carry them through the whole process, but thats what I do. I just realized that I have the greatest career ever and God has blessed me with this gift and it definitely goes both ways. I encourage all of you to uplift your patients, they do reciprocate. And remeber that caring is an artform.

Posts: 5 · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Northern NY

How do I fill my cup at the end of the day? Here's some of my coping mechanisms.

1) If you drive home, DO NOT turn on the radio. A few minutes of quiet is so valuable. I think we don't even hear the monitors, phones, overhead pages, call bells (hmmm), after a while, but all that exhausting noise is in our heads. Let it clear out before you get home.

2) Make family time positive--in other words, don't sweat the small stuff at home, your kids will never remember you for how clean the kitchen counters were, but they will remember those moments you spent face to face. (Yes, even teenagers). Those moments will keep you going, too.

3) Create something. Anything. Sew, paint, woodwork, cook, a new hair style, whatever gives you a sense of accomplishment. You are more than your career. (oh, yeah.....)

4) OK, guys can kind of tune out here for a moment. I like to designate one night a week as "grooming night", and take some private time to catch up on grooming essentials that make me feel good: a manicure, pedicure, extra hair conditioning, etc. I'm sure there is something that guys do, but it probably doesn't take a full evening!

That's my basic survival list. I also like to plan a fun activity at least once every 2 weeks--like meeting a friend for lunch and a movie.

AND LAUGH! If we don't, we're sunk for sure.

happy replenishment to all,
Nurse Betty
Laughing

Posts: 7 · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 7 Location: OH

This is such a good topic. I've been an RN for over 4 years and I still haven't completely gotten the gist of how to refill my cup. Thanks to all who have replied, I'll take them into consideration. I usually try to just make sure I didn't leave a mess for the next shift, drive home jammin with some good music, and let it loose with talking about my day at home or just relax and chill. I think I do bring my work home with me too much, but I'm learning not to do that as much---I think---I hope.

Posts: 4 · Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Boston

[quote="shining armani"]I am disappointed in the lack of replies compared to the views.Come on nurses. Does this mean we don't know how to fill the cup![/quote] I have been watching this area and I too am surprised that over 300 people have looked at it without replying including me. truthfully I don't know the answer. I am exhausted physically and emotionally on the days I work and am bored to tears on my days off I think sleep is the answer on workdays ! My children are grown ( That used to fill my cup and it would runneth over) I have thought about going back to school but I never liked it while I was there so I am going to just travel more ! Check back next year

Posts: 7 · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 7 Location: OH

Yeah, I certainly make sure I go "somewhere" outside of my state at least once a year. Traveling and buying whatever I want most anytime (but I rarely want anything) helps realize why I'm blessed to have a good paying job, and a job I like--and most usually love.