third contract and still first day anxiety

[aprilbutler70]

So this is my 3rd contact and I am having first day anxiety. Am I abnormal? I've been a nurse for 23 yrs now and 12 in my current specialty of NICU, and I feel very confident in my skills. Will this ever pass? Does anyone else have this issue?

[NedRN]

Seems normal to me. You are entering an already running unit and the only unknown factor to staff is you. So of course you will be evaluated by your coworkers until proven, and you have a much bigger task to figure out who is competent and who you can trust. That dynamic is ongoing no matter how many assignments you do. That's on top of a new place and new cultural norms.

[trackhead, APRN]

I worked full time agency for years and years, all over the country, back before the economy tanked. I never had much of any anxiety about a new hospital every week, or day. Now that I'm over a decade older, I find a new contract every three months is all I want. Can't really stand working agency anymore. For me, it seems more like an age thing. Not young and cocky anymore, I guess.

[aamy]

I am on my 5th contract. I still feel anxious at times. I am not a new nurse either. I think a lot of it has to do with being out of my comfort zone. I push myself to adjust though. I think it's making me a better nurse.