Negativity In Nursing

I remember when I was practicing that I would come to work and find almost everybody complaining.  How sick the patients were, about their assignment, what the previous shift didn’t do, difficult patients, that the family wasn’t there … and the complaints would go on and on.  From my clients, I also find occasional negativity about their workplace.

Unfortunately, negativity has become so much engrained in the culture of nursing, it is difficult to find a place in healthcare facilities where it does not exist.  Regardless, you can distance yourself from that negativity.  You don’t have to be part of it but since it is so engrained in us, it just takes some practice to be conscious of it.

When you hear people complaining, don’t take it as an invitation to participate.  You can decline to comment on the situation or even just walk away.  Some of the things that help me to avoid the negativity is to put a rubber band around my wrist.

How does this work?  When I hear of a negative situation, the rubber band reminds me not to participate.  If you feel tempted to get sucked into it, you might even snap the band to reinforce your need to avoid getting into the fray (but I am not into pain!).

Now, I begin each day with what I call “BIG.”  That stands for “begin in gratitude.”  On the work days, I and each of my staff go around and tell something for which we are thankful both personally and professionally.  It is a great way to start the day with positive energy.  What if you started you shift beginning in gratitude?  It would make a huge difference!

You have the power to change the culture of nursing.  You don’t have to participate in the negativity.  However, if you encounter negativity, be careful.  Pointing it out to someone and saying “you’re being negative and critical” is both negative and critical in and of itself.

Change can occur gradually.  You can be a role model to instill that change.