Hello, question asker! I'm Evan.
From what the questioner says, it seems like he wants to solve the patient complaints he has at work. But I also get the feeling that he wants to solve the relationship between himself and his parents. After his parents divorced when he was just 12 years old, it seems like his growth was put on hold. He sees things as either right or wrong. Isn't this the simplest logical thinking for teenagers?
It's not about trying to prove you're right, is it? These are all signs that the questioner's inner child is still stuck in this stage.
From his parents' divorce, the questioner's aunt has made him feel like he doesn't matter. He always wants to prove to others that he is right. But he also blames himself for his parents' divorce. So, even though he wants to prove that he is right, he has a deep sense of denial. This makes him unsure of himself.
I'm not sure if the questioner already has a family of his own, but I would love for him to read books like "Parenting Your Inner Child" to help his inner child grow. Then he will naturally be able to face his work problems with ease.
However, since the question was asked on the platform, we unfortunately can't have an in-depth exchange on the questioner's question. But don't worry! We can still give the questioner some simple advice on the platform:
It's okay to accept your current state.
First, the questioner needs to accept his current state, understand that he craves the affirmation of others and the trust of his patients, and that this is his inner pursuit. It's totally understandable that he would have lacked the affirmation of his loved ones when he was a child, so it's only natural that he would experience such emotions and reactions.
So don't feel bad. We all have those feelings sometimes! Tell yourself that this is the result of the intimate relationship you had as a child, which now makes you so eager for others to recognize you. At the same time, the questioner can also try to communicate with the patient, not directly negate others, tell the patient that they will help him check the doctor's duty roster, and if you are right, you can tell the patient when the doctor will come to work, and if the patient is right, you can directly help him register.
It's okay to disagree with someone, but it's not a good idea to be too quick to negate them. Let's let the facts speak for themselves, rather than negating them outright.
Let's identify the problem together.
When you're facing a conflict with a patient, it can be really helpful to take a step back and think about what's going on. Sometimes, these things can feel pretty complex, with lots of different things going on at once.
Take a deep breath and think about the situation. You might be surprised at what you find! Once you identify the core issue, you'll be able to focus on your position and express your concerns more clearly.
It can be really helpful to ask yourself a few simple questions to help you reflect on the situation. For instance, you could ask yourself: What triggered the conflict? And what was the result of what you wanted but didn't get?
I'd love to know what you were afraid of. And I'm curious if you think the negative emotions that came up during the conflict were accurate and appropriate, or if they felt a bit over the top.
I'm here to help!
When you're reflecting, it can be really helpful to list all the problems the questioner perceives and see which ones overlap and intersect. If the questioner is unable to immediately identify the core issues, identifying overlapping parts should allow you to quickly figure them out.
It's so important to pay attention to your inner voice!
It would be really helpful to know whether the questioner has been paying attention to their true voice. These thoughts can have a really positive or negative effect on our physical and mental health.
What thoughts might be getting in the way of what the questioner really wants? It seems like the questioner wants the love and approval of their loved ones. This can sometimes manifest as a desire to be in complete control of everything and to have everyone around them approve of them.
Take a deep breath and listen to that little voice inside you. Why do you want to be right so badly?
At the same time, try not to be too hard on yourself. Sometimes, the influence that parents and relatives have on the questioner makes it difficult for them to help. They might even start to think that it is their fault that their parents are like this. These thoughts about oneself that are not satisfactory will affect the questioner's emotions, loss of motivation, and expectations for life.
Every morning, take a moment to look at yourself in the mirror and say three things you like about yourself. It's amazing how a little positivity can go a long way! When you feel good about yourself, you're more confident and less likely to engage in self-talk that lacks a sense of security.
For example, you can say something like, "I deserve to be loved, I can love others, I deserve to be affirmed, I deserve more love, etc."
It's so important to pay attention to the external situation!
It can be really helpful for the questioner to try to identify what kind of situations will make them feel the need to categorize right and wrong. Is it when someone shows a wrong perception of things, or when others don't consider things from the questioner's perspective, and the questioner can't help but negate others in social situations? Or is it only the case in certain situations?
Do you find that these situations make you feel pressured or embarrassed? If so, you can use visualization techniques to calm your mind.
Just picture yourself in a relaxed state of mind, observing and enjoying things as they are in a carefree and happy way.
If these situations make the questioner feel uncomfortable, it's best to avoid them or take a moment to calm down before entering the relevant situation. For example, if the questioner encounters a situation where they are arguing with someone about right and wrong, they can let someone else answer the patient's questions and then come back when they've had a chance to calm down.
If you were wrong, would you let others tell you that you were right? Take a moment to think about why you have this thought.
I'd love to know your preferred mode of interaction. What are your needs? Have you discussed these with others?
It's so important to pay attention to our own verbal tics.
We've all been there. When we're facing an unpleasant situation, it's only natural to say things like "I'm so annoyed," "I might as well die," or "You're wrong." But, these words can actually reflect a deeper desire for others to admit that they are right when dealing with things. Unfortunately, these negative words can make the questioner reinforce negative thoughts.
It's also worth noting that your mantra often reflects your subconscious thoughts. Paying attention to your mantra can help you understand your inner thoughts, which is a great way to gain insight into yourself.
It's best to avoid using such words. We can help you turn negative emotions into a positive side by replacing these negative words with positive thoughts and praise. For example, we can replace "terrible" with "unfortunate" or "there is room for improvement," "disaster" with "challenge" or "inconvenience," and "you are wrong" with "you think so."
If you're looking for some extra support, there are lots of great psychological services out there that can help.
It's clear that the lack of affirmation has had a deep impact on the questioner. If the questioner feels that their childhood experiences have affected them and caused significant issues in their intimate and interpersonal relationships, it's a really good idea to seek the help of a professional counselor or other practitioner. These wonderful professionals can help the questioner face their childhood trauma. Before seeking counseling, it's a great idea to inquire about the reputation of these practitioners to avoid any further hurt.
I really hope my answer helps the questioner!
Comments
I can relate to feeling unappreciated and the struggle of dealing with difficult patients. It sounds like you've had a tough journey, but your dedication to learning and securing a job as a guidance nurse is commendable. To handle complaints, maybe focus on active listening and empathy. When a patient seems upset, try to understand their concerns and validate their feelings. For instance, you could say, "I see you're concerned about seeing this doctor again. Let me check the schedule for you and find the best way to assist you."
It's clear you've faced many challenges in life, yet you've managed to build a career that allows you to help others. That's no small feat. When it comes to patient interactions, sometimes a little extra patience goes a long way. Try to anticipate what the patient might need or be worried about. In the case of the blood test, you could offer an alternative solution, such as, "I understand you want to follow up with this doctor. Unfortunately, they are not available today, but I can help you schedule an appointment for tomorrow or direct you to another doctor who can assist you now."
Your passion for being right and pointing out faults might stem from past experiences where you felt undervalued. However, in your role as a guidance nurse, it's important to balance assertiveness with compassion. Patients may not always have all the information, and they rely on you for guidance. Instead of focusing on correcting them, try to frame your responses in a way that educates and reassures them. For example, "I see you're looking to follow up on your blood test. The doctor you mentioned isn't available today, but I can help you understand the next steps and ensure you get the care you need."
You've overcome so much, and it's understandable that you want to prove yourself. But remember, part of being a great healthcare provider is also being a good listener. When patients feel heard and understood, they are more likely to be satisfied with their care. If someone insists the doctor is on duty when they're not, you could respond with, "I appreciate your patience while I doublecheck the schedule. Sometimes there can be misunderstandings, and I want to make sure I give you the most accurate information."
It's evident that you care deeply about doing your job well. One way to reduce complaints is to focus on building rapport with patients. Start by acknowledging their emotions and showing empathy. For example, "I can see you're feeling frustrated, and I'm here to help. Let me explain what we can do to get you the care you need." This approach can turn a potentially negative interaction into a positive one, making both you and the patient feel more at ease.