Absorbing my patient's anxieties

[futrpmhnp, BSN]

I am a Block 2 student that has just completed my 3rd clinical rotation. I think I may be absorbing my patient's anxieties... I began to feel lightheaded on my second rotation and thought nothing of it, then my third rotation it happened again and I have been anxious now for the past 3 days... I am not naturally an anxious person; however, I am a very emotional person and very empathetic towards people... am I the only one who feels this way? Is there a way for me to protect myself, armour myself if you will before heading to the hospital?

[Oh'Ello, BSN, RN]

You say your an emotional person....anxiety is an emotion. You may be getting anxious because as you advance through the program, the populations tend to be sicker and your school workload is increasing. I don't really think you're "absorbing" your patient's anxieties as much as developing your own, and thats perfectly normal. Talk to your peers and see if they are noticing an increase in their stress and anxiety level. Sometimes the mere fact of knowing you're not alone helps lessen your own anxiety, because it's less of an introspective feeling you're trying to hide, and instead a normal feeling that you and your peers can try to control.... together.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Clinical rotations tend to take more and more time during the clinical day, as you progress in your program. Are you getting food to keep your blood sugar within normal limits or are you waiting until the end of the day to eat?

Low blood sugar can feel like anxiety... lightheadedness is part of low blood sugar...

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

This is not uncommon with very empathetic people....you pick up the feelings, and problems, of others very easily. PM me if you want to talk some more about how to help avoid this (out of the box).

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

It used to be, when I cared for a really sick patient, I used to feel my anxiety level ratchet up in direct relationship with their anxiety level.

When they'd become SOB and panic, I'd panic too. When they'd look at me with those big terrified eyes, I'd get terrified too.

Somewhere along the line I've developed the ability to look at the person as an object and not a person. As cold blooded as that sounds it's the only way I found I could function rationally.

This is only during those times when my patient is in trouble. When they, and I, suspect they might die.

This didn't happen overnight. It took awhile for me to understand that I'm less than useless, if I'm so scared I can't function.

Even now, I can find myself getting anxious when getting report on a critically ill patient. Even before I see them.

At those times I have to forget it's a person, because if I don't, eventually this job will kill me.

My way is not everybody's way. I can feel the censure already.

You'll find you own coping mechanism. Good luck to you, and take care of yourself.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

If you are an empath you are going to have a very hard time with human suffering. You are going to need clear boundaries or this career will deplete your energy and coping abilities.

Boundaries means to protect what is mine. You need to read up on professional boundaries. It is not our responsibility to care about the patients in a deep and personal way. They are not our family, our friends or significant other.

It helps to remember that it is about them, not us. Being emotionally neutral is self preservation.

Some people choose Nursing to avoid their own problems by focusing on other people's problems. What drew you to this career path?

[SmilingBluEyes]

Nursing may not be for you if you can't draw clear and safe boundaries. If you bring it home with you, ruminate on your patients' suffering and problems, you are headed for the fast track to burn-out and depression.

Nursing schools talk about healthy professional boundaries. Take notes and take HEED.