Nursing New Grad - Feeling Stressed and Discouraged

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi everyone :)

I just need to vent a little bit and am hoping to gain some perspective/encouragement from fellow RNs that may understand how I am feeling. Here goes:

I am a new grad RN that just graduated in December and I started my first job as an RN in March of this year. I was very excited to have obtained a position at the hospital that I was hoping to be hired as well as on the unit that I was hoping for. I feel fortunate to have found something fairly quickly after having passed the NCLEX, especially considering that some of my fellow classmates are still looking for jobs.

That being said, as fortunate as I feel, I have to say that I have never been so stressed out and depressed. I feel like I am drowning when I am at work and everyday I go home feeling discouraged and frustrated that I wasn't able to do more for my patients. I am only one person and I can only do so much in the amount of time that I am there. I truly am doing the best that I can but there is still so much I don't know and I still have a thousand questions that I ask throughout the day. I hate feeling like it's not good enough. I know that nursing wont necessarily get any "easier" with experience because, to some extent, it's just a challenging career. However, I don't want to feel depressed that I am not cutting it all the time either...

I am a compassionate, hardworking person so I thought that nursing would be a really good fit for me but I'm honestly not so sure anymore. I can't tell you the number of times I have come home in tears. I feel sick before I have to go to work to the point of not being able to eat and sometimes throwing up. If I have a day off and will have to work the next day, I spend my whole day off stressed out and worrying about work. I know that everyone I have talked to has stated that the first year of nursing is extremely challenging but I'm just feel completely overwhelmed and discouraged. Most shifts I end up working 14 hours with maybe a 15 minute break (if I'm lucky). Then on my days off I spend copious amounts of time stressing about work. Mentally I can't relax. Is it even possible to feel burnt out already? That sounds so ridiculous but I am having an extremely hard time coping with all of the stress.

I am feeling discouraged and depressed. Is anyone else feeling this way? Any advise on surviving being a new RN or any helpful tips on dealing with stress would be very appreciated.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

first of all welcome to the cite & congratulations for both passing the boards & landing a job as a new grad.

th_party-smiley-020-1.gif

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

regarding the issue on hand, you must understand that you're not the only one that has felt this way at the beginning of our beloved nursing career. having said that, we all felt at the beginning like were a bit lost at times, is natural is like when a youngster leaves the nest for the first time at first the excitement is surreal, then reality checks in like washing clothes, paying rent, utilities etc. it could get a little overwhelming. however, what you're going through shall pass with time as you gain experience on how to deal with your new position. in addition, no one expects you to act like a pro in such a short time, do the best you can and when possible emulate those seasoned nurses that you admire, as the years go by you too will be emulated by another novice nurse. wishing you the best in all of your future endeavors... as i send you a warm hug from across the miles :hug:......aloha~

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:grpwlcm:

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Thank you! Attempting to take it one day at a time and to keep as positive as possible. Will have to work on not letting it make me crazy. :bugeyes: It can definitely feel like a completely overwhelming and impossible job at times. Looking forward to getting to know more of the users on here so we can support and encourage each other through all of the good and bad experience!

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:nurse: as cliche as it sounds take it one shift at a time and if thats too much take one shift 4 hour blocks at a time. it sounds like the stress and anxiety you are feeling are actually fueling you to work hard just watch out for overworking youself too. that will create a vicious negative feedback loop in your mind. i am not a new grad but i too get anxious before having to go back for another shift especially when i have had a few days off. just realize that each shift you have to get 'back into your groove'

i wonder if doctors have the same conversations to each other. they get sick to their stomach from nerves thinking about another shift at work. maybe they do. i think the nursing culture is a big time contributer to this new nurse nerves thing. more on that later.:twocents: welcome. nice to know there are caring competent new nurses out there ready to care for this ole bird should the day come

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

i wonder if doctors have the same conversations to each other. they get sick to their stomach from nerves thinking about another shift at work. maybe they do.

unquestionably, doctors have the same freight however, they have a much better camaraderie among themselves, plus if they have any questions they depend on us seasoned nurses to bail them out :cool:

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