[TeresaRN2b]

Ok, had my midterm clinical eval and my instructor has noted my anxiety shows in front of the client. I am trying to figure out the best tactics to help keep this to a minimum. I have already went and seen my doctor about my problems with anxiety and have a prescription for zoloft so I am hoping this helps. (I have had problems with anxiety most of my life, but usually it hasn't interferred with my performance.) Now I am trying to figure out what else I can do to keep myself calm during procedures in front of the instructor. I do fine with the procedures for the most part when I am not in a testing environment. I never get test anxiety with written test, but skills tests I am not so good. Any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Teresa

[kwagner_51]

Teresa,

I was scared to death when I went into my first patient's room. I introduced myself as a student nurse who was learning to be a nurse. I think that if you let the patient KNOW that you are learning, alot of your anxiety will leave.

The instructor should expect you to be nervous. When I was doing Ace wraps, I told my instructor that I felt like a dumb dumb because I am 42 years old and have no clue as to how to use an elastic wrap. her comment was, "you are learning. I don't expect you to know how to do this yet. That is why we practice, so you will know how to do it on patients."

How is your Mommy guilt doing? Did any of the suggesting work?

We are planning our tea party for tonight and all my kids are excited!

Good luck and expect to be anxious until you feel comfortable doing the skills. I practice on my kids. That lets them get involved in my educcation and they LOVE it!!

[Carolanne]

How long have you been on the Zoloft? I just started on it in June and it took a good six weeks to feel the full effect. I feel very well on it, much less anxious, calm. Not in la-la land or drugged up, but like myself again. I sought this treatment from my doctor because I was having a lot of symptoms related to anxiety, panic which turned out to be part of perimenopause and hormones, but I never had these symptoms before in my life and it was scary for me. The Zoloft is really helping me - stay on it for awhile, give it a chance to let the levels build up in your system, and you should be feeling calmer and better soon.

[RN-PA]

I feel for you, Teresa. I struggled with anxiety in nursing school and still struggle with it to vaying degrees, and I've been an RN for almost 10 years (working Med/Surg for most of that time-- a place where it's EASY to get anxious if you're already prone to it.)

I had some counseling in the 2nd year of nursing school for around 6 months and I learned some coping skills, but still continued to struggle with anxiety. I also was on Paxil a few years ago (for a year and 1/2) but got off of it due to side effects and feeling somewhat "numbed". I've been sorely tempted to get back on Paxil at times, but try to deal with anxiety through prayer, positive, emotional "self-talk" (like: "you can do it" "you're okay"), deep-breathing exercises, etc. Regular cardiovascular exercise is a good stress release and I always said, I either sweat out the stress or cry it out. I've done a LOT of crying over the years, too, a great stress-reliever-- I believe tears kept me healthier physically AND emotionally. (I generally cried at home, but occasionally had to cry out stress at work in a staff bathroom or if it couldn't be helped, in front of coworkers.)

You have to fake it-- or ACT calm and confident-- even if you're not, when you're around the patients. I used to try to think how I'd feel if a nurse was acting nervous and anxious around me if I was in the bed. Also, study and have as much knowledge as you can to be prepared for your clinicals, and just focus on your patient or the task at hand, trying to forget your instructor.

All the best to you!

[imagin916]

I agree with what someone else said. Fake it. I still get nervous when I have to start IV's on someone who is very anxious or if the family is very anxious. You just have to go in and pretend like you did it a hundred times before. While you are in school you probably wont be put in a situation where you will have to do something alone that can be potentially hazardous to the patient, and if you think you will, ask for help. I did a consious sedation last night for the first time, and I asked the nurse manager to have someone help me while I was doing this. I felt uncomfortable monitering someone who was put under when I didnt know what I was doing. She was cool about it, and was glad I asked for help. Noone expects you to know everything as a student and even as a nurse, we must all help each other out sometimes.

[Catma63]

I wish I felt that were true. As a first semester nursing student, I do feel our instructor expects us to already know how to do things and God forbid we not.

[TeresaRN2b]

Originally posted by kwagner_51
Teresa,

I was scared to death when I went into my first patient's room. I introduced myself as a student nurse who was learning to be a nurse. I think that if you let the patient KNOW that you are learning, alot of your anxiety will leave.

The instructor should expect you to be nervous. When I was doing Ace wraps, I told my instructor that I felt like a dumb dumb because I am 42 years old and have no clue as to how to use an elastic wrap. her comment was, "you are learning. I don't expect you to know how to do this yet. That is why we practice, so you will know how to do it on patients."

How is your Mommy guilt doing? Did any of the suggesting work?

We are planning our tea party for tonight and all my kids are excited!

Good luck and expect to be anxious until you feel comfortable doing the skills. I practice on my kids. That lets them get involved in my educcation and they LOVE it!!

That is a little better. Regrouped a little, refocused, and had my hubby give me a great pep talk about all the things I am doing right with my kids right now. I have been trying out some of the suggestions as well.

Teresa

[TeresaRN2b]

Originally posted by Carolanne
How long have you been on the Zoloft? I just started on it in June and it took a good six weeks to feel the full effect. I feel very well on it, much less anxious, calm. Not in la-la land or drugged up, but like myself again. I sought this treatment from my doctor because I was having a lot of symptoms related to anxiety, panic which turned out to be part of perimenopause and hormones, but I never had these symptoms before in my life and it was scary for me. The Zoloft is really helping me - stay on it for awhile, give it a chance to let the levels build up in your system, and you should be feeling calmer and better soon.

I've only been on it a few days so I know it will take a while to take it's full effect. I am so glad to hear that most people say it helps.

Teresa

[Lorus]

One of the coolest things about being a nursing student is that we get to experience so many 'firsts'. The first IM injection, first time hanging a bag, the first hairy situation, etc... Sounds fun, but then of course you have to factor in your nazi instructor lording over you, the concerned family, and the patient to top it off.. Stress much? You bettchya.

Nursing school seems like a four year long anxiety attack at times. Theres a reason for it - the profession is stressful and anxiety producing. School is the best time to learn the coping skills to deal with anxiety. New nurses wouldnt last a shift if school wasnt hell.

Now, getting to the point of the thread- There are lots of things you can do to reduce anxiety (so you dont have to worry about hiding it). First, figure out where the source of your anxiety is coming from. And then squash it, go after it, beat it down with a reflex hammer. This gives you a sense of controll. Its empowering.

I find that i can reduce my anxiety by doing my best to know the material or procedure cold. Having a backup 'cheet sheet' in your pocket helps alot too. If you get stuck, you can always refer to your handy notes.

Sometimes the way an experience is percieved makes all the difference. If you think something is going to suck, it probably will. Its tough to maintain a positive attitude all the time, but i find that a healthy dose of enthusiasm can override a little anxiety anytime.

It helps me to visuallize doing procedure X correctly before i do it. Taking a minute (if you have it) to get your thoughts together goes a long way.

Another thing that seems to help is to go out of your way looking for experience. The more times you do something, the less stressful it becomes. Easier said than done, especially when you are nervous to begin with. But the more you 'do' the easier it becomes to go after new things. Avoidance will get you nowhere. Literally.

Lastly, it helps me to put things in proper perspective. We arent defusing a bomb here -we are simply answering the next test question, jamming a needle in someones deltoid, etc..etc..

That feeling of fear/anxiety is just the energy to preform well in an unfamiliar situation. Just your own friendly sympathetic response gearing you up to do a good job. Channel it.

Hope this didnt sound too preachy.. hope it helps. -Lorus

[bluesky]

That feeling of fear/anxiety is just the energy to preform well in an unfamiliar situation. Just your own friendly sympathetic response gearing you up to do a good job. Channel it.


Wow- that is sooooo true. Well said.