New Nurse Having Panic Attacks!

Nurses Stress 101

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Hello All!

I am a relatively new nurse (6 mos.) working on a busy med surg pulmonary/general medicine floor. Ever since starting this job and finishing my preceptorship, I have randomly started having panic attacks before going into work. I work second shift which for us is 3-11:30 pm so I have all morning to get myself worked up about what the day will hold.

I have always had issues with anxiety, but now it has started to hinder my career. For example today I actually called into work because the anxiety was so great that my heart was pounding and I felt so shaky. I didn't feel like it was safe for me to go in!!!

I really just want to know if anyone else experiences this and what you have done to help cope. I can't call into work all the time because I'm so scared. I know that once I have more experience, I will not be so nervous....but I have to get there first!!!!

Please help!

Same here... I've never had them before until recently. It started after a life changing event, which is common. It's scary! I suggest you get help. This is serious. If it's interfering with your day-to-day life (and clearly it is), you need some kind of intervention. Whether it be self help (as in meditation, changing jobs) or professional help (therapy and or medication) it can be helped. I know how it feels and I've been in your shoes. You might even feel like you're just exaggerating the situation or this is somehow your fault. And it's NOT! It's just as real and serious as any other medical condition and needs help attention as such.. Thankfully, I was recently put on Nortriptyline and it's helped me so much! I promise that it does get better. There are ways to get through this! I wish you the best of luck and send prayers!

That's great that you made an appointment with the therapist. You are taking a very positive step in the right direction so you can take good care of yourself! :up: You are definitely not alone....take care and keep us posted.

Wow just the act of posting this thread and seeing all the responses has made me feel so much better. I did make it to work last night, still very nervous and shaky but feeling better after the positive vibes from you guys! And I reached out to some family and friends who also helped me just by listening. So I am hoping that therapy will work. And that there may be an end in sight! Night didn't go so well, I got pulled halfway through my shift where I got two surgical transfers pretty much at the same time...plus my hospital just started CPOE and the med scanning so it was my first experience with those! It was a lot, but I made it without mishap! Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and experiences!!! It's great to have this community of nurses who understand that I can turn to for support!

I have already made an appt with a therapist, and I am hoping maybe she can refer me to an MD as well that could prescribe me a long term anxiety med. Hopefully between the two, I can get it figured out. I haven't called in too often most of the time I make myself get there and get through the shift and some days I am completely fine. What exactly is FMLA? Doesn't that mean I am taking an extended leave? I suppose if it gets really bad I may have to do that in order to get things settled down...but it seems like too much, I need to work!

I'm so happy to hear that! After all, as a nurse, you can't take care of others if you first don't take care of yourself! I hope you find something that works for you!

Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

It's been a few weeks since your post so I hope everything is alright.

I'm a new RN, 9 months into the job. I vividly recall trouble sleeping, nightmares (based on true and false patients/situations) and sometimes a horrible, heavy anxiety. Once I couldn't sleep before a morning shift, i just walked around and around the dining room table until I somehow silenced my pounding heart.

When I sleep badly because of nerves, I tell people at work - they're really nice about it and empathetic. Things have improved drastically, my nightmares have decreased - they only happen maybe MAYBE twice a month. I count that as a victory, that my subconscious shuts up.

Working out helps me. Nothing like endorphins to perk you up. Life's natural uppers.

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