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| No. 170 | 
Oct 18, 2009, 01:49 PM
 Re: Support Stickie for New nurses who are not coping Originally Posted by jksh21  I graduated #1 in the ASN program on my campus, passed the boards with only the minimum number of questions, and got a job straight out of school. I thought that I was so prepared and knew exactly what I was doing, and now, 3 months into my life as a new RN - I have hit rock bottom. I have learned that school only barely prepares you for what you experience as an RN in the real world and that being head of the class and acing your tests means nothing anymore. About a month into working on an orthopedic/med-surg overflow floor, I began to develop severe anxiety issues. During a typical week in which I work 3-4 days a week, I have severe panic attacks at least 2 of those days. The attacks occur before, during, or after work. I, like alot of people on here, feel like I make mistakes. Even experienced nurses make mistakes. I have never made any error that may effect the well-being of my patients. There is no specific trigger. I just panic. I guess it's the thought of making a mistake, or the thought that I am not good enough to take care of people - I don't know. Thank you all for this forum; It is very nice to see that other people feel as out of place and as terrified as I do. I do believe that it is getting better, little by little (I can actually make it all the way home from work going about 20 breaths per minute and regular, even, unlabored breathing as opposed to a few weeks ago)!!
You know what, u are not the only one, as i feel the same way...........................   | | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 171 |
Oct 18, 2009, 02:24 PM
Re: Support Stickie for New nurses who are not coping Originally Posted by jksh21 I graduated #1 in the ASN program on my campus, passed the boards with only the minimum number of questions, and got a job straight out of school. I thought that I was so prepared and knew exactly what I was doing, and now, 3 months into my life as a new RN - I have hit rock bottom. I have learned that school only barely prepares you for what you experience as an RN in the real world and that being head of the class and acing your tests means nothing anymore. About a month into working on an orthopedic/med-surg overflow floor, I began to develop severe anxiety issues. During a typical week in which I work 3-4 days a week, I have severe panic attacks at least 2 of those days. The attacks occur before, during, or after work. I, like alot of people on here, feel like I make mistakes. Even experienced nurses make mistakes. I have never made any error that may effect the well-being of my patients. There is no specific trigger. I just panic. I guess it's the thought of making a mistake, or the thought that I am not good enough to take care of people - I don't know. Thank you all for this forum; It is very nice to see that other people feel as out of place and as terrified as I do. I do believe that it is getting better, little by little (I can actually make it all the way home from work going about 20 breaths per minute and regular, even, unlabored breathing as opposed to a few weeks ago)!!
Hey, I think you are probably doing great. It is too bad the anxiety can be so severe. Mine comes out differently, makes me forgetful. That was not good and is not good on the job, but I am now working on not letting my anxiety level rise above a 5 out of 10. I stop and take a lot of deep breaths and remind myself that anxiety isn't getting the job done, quicker or better and ask myself what I need to do right at that moment. I can get it under control. I found that the first 8 months were the roughest and somewhere between 6 and 8 months I started having more good nights than bad. I love my job even with the rough times. I was not lucky enough to have a good preceptor to work with consistently. I had several and some of them were really really good and others were jerks. I am coming up on two years now and pretty much feel I can hold my own. I have not been asked to train as charge and that is sort of an ego buster when newer nurses than I have been asked, but I suppose it is about my anxiety. That is all right because it is not something that I really feel ready to do, but like I said it is an ego buster. I do like my job a lot! It is very fulfilling and I have proven to myself that I can make it on one of the hardest units in the large teaching hospital where I work . We take care of 3 very sick people, many vents and trachs and all monitored. I am doing clinical instruction for student nurses and I love it. I am starting to put out feelers for jobs on other floors and in other hospitals as our census is very very low. I also have found that I have an interest in working with end stage cancer patients so I am looking for hospice opportunities.
Keep on, you will get past you anxiety. If you didn't care which is key here, you wouldn't have the anxiety. Keep doing what you do best.
Mahage  | | No. 172 |
Oct 27, 2009, 10:07 PM
Re: Support Stickie for New nurses who are not coping
Ug I just had the worst night! I'm a brand new grad on my 5th day (out of six) of orientation at a LTC. I work the 10-6 NOC shift and have 60 pts under my care. Last night I was so behind on my med pass that I had the nurse help me do one hall.
Everyone wanted pain meds or had a fever and needed tylenol. My charting was late and I'm sure it was horrible. While trying to flush a NG and Peg I managed to nail myself and the paitent soaking both of us. I had a pt on continous feed and was so behind the bottle was flat empty when day got there. I didn't cap the IV that I had taken off so the day shift was upset ( in the hospital we usually just got new tubing yikes did I feel stupid for that one).
All the oxycodone in the Ekits was out for my new admit who was in 10/10 pain and I had to tell him there was nothing I could do till seven, (called pharmacy and ordered it since it had been forgotten during admit). Anyway the list goes on and on. I just feel like an incompentent nurse and I'm convinced that day shift must hate me and talk about me behind my back.
Luckily I called my mom and she walked me through some tips to help me (she's a newer RN herself), makes me wish someone like her was orienting me.
| | No. 174 |
Nov 22, 2009, 12:27 AM
Re: Support Stickie for New nurses who are not coping
I just graduated from school in May, passed the Nclex-RN in June and got my first job October. I have been at this facility for less than a month and recently got off orientation. I always feel a lot of anxiety when I'm working... and even when I'm home on my days off because I think about the next few days and *hope* and *pray* that the upcoming days will go smoothly. As I'm thinking about it right now, my heart is pounding.
| | No. 175 |
Nov 22, 2009, 11:47 AM
Re: Support Stickie for New nurses who are not coping Originally Posted by mlok I just graduated from school in May, passed the Nclex-RN in June and got my first job October. I have been at this facility for less than a month and recently got off orientation. I always feel a lot of anxiety when I'm working... and even when I'm home on my days off because I think about the next few days and *hope* and *pray* that the upcoming days will go smoothly. As I'm thinking about it right now, my heart is pounding.
I can completely relate! Even though I know it doesn't help to worry, the med surg floor I'm on is so disorganized and overwhelming (even the nurses who have been there for years say so) that I am just always stressed out. I have a couple of days off and try to think positive again for a new day...but there I am again falling behind on charting and everything is tugging every which way. I can only offer that I am sure it must get easier and as a new nurse most people experience this to some degree. I am trying to meditate, exercise, eat well and do all I can to make it easier on my nervous system! It's important to have those effective coping mechanisms in place, even when they fall apart so easily once you hit the floor. Good luck to you and all of us...
| | No. 176 |
Nov 24, 2009, 09:39 PM
Re: Support Stickie for New nurses who are not coping
Guess who left the crazy SNF and is now on the floor of *gasp* a hospital (yes!!!!). Today was my first day on the floor and I felt like a little newbie nursing student following my preceptor around like a puppy. I was so nervous and scared ( no idea why) I swear I could not remember basic things. I felt so scattered and disorganized, I made my own brain tonight and I'm resolved to got to work a little early to read up on my pts. Wish me luck for tomorrow.
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. Sounds like you did an excellent job under those circumstances. You didn't lose anyone and days can just help pick up a little. Hang in there and listen to your Mom, you'll be OK! remember, it takes about 6 months to fall into a routine and start feeling comfortable in your job. Good luck and don't give up.
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