Any questions for reducing anxiety?

Nurses Stress 101

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Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.

Hello all,

I'm an RN who's starting another job on the floor. I've had problems with work for years do to anxiety. I love nursing and am a good nurse but these past few years have been very difficult.

I realize some may say that it's too stressful of an environment for me that I should do LTC or something else, but I have to say that I love hospital nursing and used to be really good at it. I just haven't had solid experience for a while that my anxiety gets me every time. I want to be successful again like I once was.

Thank you.

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Congrats on your new job! It's great that you are following your heart and doing what you enjoy doing; floor nursing. I, too, love the acute care aspect of hospital nursing. What about work makes you anxious? Knowing your triggers can help you to overcome or manage your anxiety. Have you considered speaking with someone at your hospital? At our institution we have an employee assistance program in place.

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Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.

Well I'm not exactly sure about what triggers my anxiety. I always think that I somehow will lose it during my shift and won't be able to make it through the shift. I suppose that's a panic attack. I know how to do nursing, I just need to have more faith in myself I suppose. I've had problems with calling off and then losing my jobs that way. I realize calling off just reinforces my anxiety and I need to stop that if I ever want to overcome this.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I for one would never advise you to go the LTC route. It's just as cutthroat as acute care, and the object of many facilities is to wring as much work out of their nurses (and pay as little) as possible. All of which is anxiety-producing.

It sounds like anxiety is a chronic issue for you. Are you seeing a therapist or psychiatrist? Are you taking or have you considered medication? Do you have a support system? These things won't "cure" a mental health problem, but they go a long way toward making it better. I can honestly say that because I utilize all of those things, and my anxiety has improved a great deal over time even though I can no longer nurse. (That's a story for another post.)

I wish you the best of luck in your new job. You can be successful again; you just need the tools to accomplish it. :yes:

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Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.

I do chronically suffer from anxiety. I am on meds and have a great psychiatrist in Tijuana, Mexico where I live. This job that I'm starting is a travel contract up in the PNW.

I'm glad that you're anxiety has gotten a lot better with the help of the things you mentioned. I suffer from depression also, but while my depression comes and goes, my anxiety is pretty much always with me. I want to overcome it enough to be able to work and keep my job. I want to do what I was trained to do.

Thanks guys for your responses.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.

Stress ball! Serious. I have 2 anxiety disorders and my coworker gave me a smiley face stress ball that changes colors when you squeeze it. Excellent distraction tool. Also, take care of yourself. I mean it. Whether that see a psychologist, eat ice cream once a week, take medication, work out, pig out, etc. Do what makes you happy and do it for yourself.

I love being a Nurse and I've worked hard to make sure my anxiety does not affect my nursing life, but remember anxiety is a part of you and yes it does define who I am because I'm learned to be a better person because of it.

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I sought counseling services for this and it has made all the difference. I was on the verge of quitting and now I'm doing well. If you truly think you are not safe where you are, and it is just really not your area of nursing, listen to your heart and leave. But if it's your own inner feelings of anxiety causing you to not function, counseling is a good option.

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Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.

Thanks guys for your comments. I really like nursing and feel that I belong in hospital nursing. However, my anxiety and brain has tricked me into thinking that I am not able to do things like normal people and work. I need to not let anxiety rule my life like it has done for years.

I am away from my therapist at the moment but at least I have my medications. I want no wait I need to excel in life or things will never get better.

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