The Comfort in Comfort Rooms

Thank God for comfort rooms.

Not every comfort room is perfect. There are nice ones, smelly ones, clean ones, dirty ones, those with an endless supply of tissue, and those with not even a shadow of tissue—save for the soiled ones in the overflowing trash bin. But if there’s one thing comfort rooms have in common, it is that they bring a certain sense of comfort. Whether it be comfort felt after peeing. Or after defecating. Or perhaps—after crying.

I cannot remember how many times I’ve gone to the CR and cried. There is a kind of security provided by those four walls of the cubicle, where nobody can see you (although they might hear you), and you have an abundant supply of tissue to blow your nose on. I don’t know if anyone will agree with me, but it is after those moments of emotional release that you feel your strength seep back, and that is how I survived nursing school.

Flashback to my life as a student nurse. I couldn’t vividly recall any CR-crying incidents that happened in the hospital, but I could remember some while in school. There was that moment during my first year in college where I was devastated by getting an 86 in one subject (yep I had too high standards for myself back then). I consulted with the professor and turns out one of my quizzes was not recorded and it was too late to change it. I literally ran out of the faculty room because the tears were already falling. And when I got to the CR, I cried my heart out.

I suppose I was still a bit emotionally immature at that time. But the point is that we are humans full of emotions. That’s part of who we are. We have unique personalities and unique circumstances but we all somehow feel the same emotions—hurt, anger, sadness, joy.

We are humans full of emotions. That’s part of who we are.

For me, the single most important thing is to have an outlet. We each have our own ways of coping with mental and emotional turmoil, and for me, it always began with crying. I think most people would agree if I say there’s no beating the feeling after a good cry. I’m not saying you should cry every time you feel like it, but somehow, there has to be a healthy form of release at an appropriate place and time. I believe the ability to do this is a sign of emotional maturity, and I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for nurses. Especially if your head nurse is being too bossy. Or if the doctor is being difficult. Or your colleague is being lazy. Or your patient is being so demanding. You don’t want to suddenly burst one day and do or say things you’ll regret.

Emotions are tricky, especially the negative ones. You never know how it will affect you. This is the importance of self-awareness. The only person who really knows yourself is yourself—ideally, at least.

There was one point in my life that I hated myself for feeling one way or another. It was that typical mind versus heart thing. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, yet that is what I felt. I have learned through time that one must learn to embrace one’s emotions. Acknowledge it. That’s the first step. It is difficult to get rid of feelings of denial and frustration, but with determination and a sense of purpose, you’ll get it.

Then, find someone to talk to. That’s the next step. Ever since I got to know God, He’s been my go-to person wherever and whenever, cause He’s literally just there, listening. Find someone you know will listen. Or maybe slap you back to reality.

Nobody is perfect when it comes to handling emotions. The bottomline is that we must recognize that emotions make us human, not robots, and they are to be acknowledged and paid attention to. As nurses, we are expected to radiate strength and compassion towards our patients. But don’t forget that the comfort room is just there to help you help yourself as well.

Especially if it has an abundant supply of tissue.