As a nurse, you’re not just trained to do a job, but to do it with compassion and empathy. That’s what makes losing a patient so difficult, especially when it involved long term care.
It’s only natural to experience a feeling of loss and to go through a grieving process. It’s important to not avoid those tough emotions. Allow yourself to walk through them and to process your pain. Talking with friends, loved ones, and colleagues can help you get through it.
Take time for yourself, not only in the moment, but also outside of work. It’s important not to dwell on the loss. Over time, you may find effective ways to cope with workplace grief that work well for you.