As a nurse, you face situations that are both mentally and emotionally trying every single day. Sometimes it is difficult to know how to cope with the stress of being a nurse. You see patients in pain and discomfort, families that are confused and hurt. Unfortunately, an inescapable reality is that you will lose some of those patients. It comes with the profession. And while your education prepares you for the science behind what you’re doing, many nurses say that they had little to no preparation in how to handle the emotions that come with the job.

So what do you do when the long exhausting shifts, the daily stresses of the job, and the emotional trauma all pile up, and it becomes too much? Here are some of our suggestions to help you build a network of support, whether it’s inside or outside of the workplace.

Talk. 

It’s okay to talk to your coworkers and open up. Chances are, they’ve experienced what you’re going through at some point in their career. Swap stories to find out how they cope with the more trying situations, and any techniques that they might be able to offer.

Accept. 

You are allowed to feel every aspect of the job, the stress, and heartbreak. You’re still a human, after all. You spend all of your time taking care of others, but it is crucially important that you never neglect to take care of yourself. Only when you accept that what you’re feeling is natural, can you begin to deal with it and heal.

Take some time for yourself. 

Meditate, read a book, go for a walk. You need to take that time to clear your head and refresh, or you face the risk of letting everything build inside of you until you can’t control it anymore and breakdown.

Be aware. 

Do some research on the resources that your facility has to offer you. Depending on the facility, they may provide counseling or other opportunities that could be beneficial to you. Speak with a supervisor to explore your options.

There is no guarantee that it will get easier over time, that you will not be stressed and you will not hurt. By using these methods, you will be able to understand better what works for you and what doesn’t when it comes to coping. But above all, remember that what you’re doing is worth it. Remember that the work that you do matters. Remember that you are brave.