How long does the "new nurse anxiety" usually last?

Nurses New Nurse

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Hey all! I know there is a section on this forum about disabilities but I don't think this relates to clinical anxiety/depression.

As a new nurse (2 months without preceptor) I basically have, to a degree, an anxiety attack before work (new grad in the ED). Once I'm actually on the floor it feels like the anxiety is gone, but it's back after I'm off for a few days. I just want to be able to work without feeling like this and be able to enjoy and look forward to going to work.

I've discussed this with others and they say this is normal, but how long did it take YOU to feel more comfortable or less stressed as a new nurse?

Specializes in ER, progressive care.

My anxiety started to subside by 6-8 months, but I didn't really start to feel comfortable until at least a year in.

Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..
Well to be honest, sometimes it never really goes away until you wake up one morning and say, " HEY!!!! I GOT IT!!!!!" Don't focus on what you may do wrong, but correct , take note, and move on. When I first started working in the ER i was so scared I didn't want to do anything. But when I got my feet FINALLY wet, ii was great I was good to go. Hang in there![/quote']

Thanks for this!

You are not alone in anxiety. I am almost at my 1 year mark, been working for 11 months. I stopped having meltdowns after 3 months but I still have A LOT of anxiety all the time. I keep being told things are supposed to snap into place after a year and it worries me that I am so close and still so anxious and unsure of myself all the time.

Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..
You are not alone in anxiety. I am almost at my 1 year mark been working for 11 months. I stopped having meltdowns after 3 months but I still have A LOT of anxiety all the time. I keep being told things are supposed to snap into place after a year and it worries me that I am so close and still so anxious and unsure of myself all the time.[/quote']

I've been working for about five months, and my manager says it will take about six to feel better. My coworkers think that is bunk and claim a year or so. Everybody seems to have different time frames, but all I know is that I feel pretty miserable.

But I guess I'm the one who wanted to be a nurse, right?

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