Intolerant, irritated, frustrated. Know any of those people?

Think about what bothers you. Who bothers you? Triggers of stress. Circumstances that put you on edge. Do you find yourself surrounded by people who are basically unhappy with their situation. "If they only had...." "If she didn't drive me crazy..." I've just got to get away..." Being in the stressful field of nursing, it puts things into perspective for me. There are some days when everything goes perfect. Cases are on time. Everything seems to just flow. Then there are days when patients anatomy is not normal or routine. The surgery takes longer than planned. Every case following this is going to be late and people become tired and anxious waiting for their surgery. In these situations, when things aren't going as planned, I continue to do my normal routine of nursing care. I press on with my familiar job and tasks. I do not change the nurse or the person I am, regardless of what is going on around me. This comforts me to know what is MY expectation of MYSELF. I cannot change what others do around me or what may be happening, but I can be who I am supposed to be. Life is really no different. When we are faced with stressful situations, frustrating people, angry people, unexpected outcomes, step back and decide that you are going to keep providing a high level of care to yourself and others...regardless of what is happening. I remember as a brand new graduate being in charge of 34, very ill patients. Overwhelmed wasn't even the word for it. Everyday I was responsible for 100's of new orders on critical patients, but I kept on trying even when I messed up. I had to accept responsibility for my mistakes and I had to maintain a certain level of respect for myself.
Choose to keep your composure, keep your mouth, open your ears, and decide what describes your behaviour. It also doesn't hurt to think of a warm, tropical beach with your new pink swimsuit.