Advice anyone??

[IngyRN]

So after many years outside of bedside, I have returned and its been 7 LONG months. Its not any easier. I feel more anxious and self doubt than ever. It's quite humbling to have new grads teach me..& I have been a nurse for 10yrs. I feel like such an idiot. I am under contract for x amt of hrs vs 1 year whatever occurs first. However, as much as I want to work overtime to complete the hours prior to the year it makes me super anxious..........any advice on reducing my anxiety?

[rabbitgirrl]

Stop and remember to breathe.

Remember that you are only one person and that you can only physically be in one place at one time. Do not expect yourself to bi-locate. Do not be mean to yourself because you can't bi-locate.

Ask for help. Ignore anyone who is mean to you when you ask for help (they are wrong or panicked. You are not wrong to ask).

When you need to pee, go pee.

Remember that your intentions are good and that you are a good person for trying to do the work of five people, not a bad person for only being able to do the work of three.

And always remember Things Will Definitely Get Better. Confidence and organization will come with time. Just keep climbing that mountain every day.

Thank you for coming back. We are grateful to have you.

[Son Tava]

Yes, the more we know the more there is to be anxious about. That's why those new grads seem to glide around uninhibited. So, how about managing your weekly contact time. Don't go for max hours. Go for quality hours. Make it work for your personal comfort zone. Forget trying to impress anyone. They're probably all quite busy being impressed by themselves. Just be 'competent'. And don't forget to forget your experience and qualifications but, build the egos of the young guns or they may eat your lunch.

[2lroberts]

Although I'm not yet a nurse I can completely relate to the anxiety you're feeling. The whole pre-nursing process and knowing that I have SO much to learn still has given me some serious anxiety that I'm still grappling with. This may be irrelevant to you b/c we're in such different places in a nursing career but here are some things that have helped me so far-

- Constantly remind yourself that no one knows everything, especially those new grads (even if they pretend to)! This is one of the awesome things about nursing: you are constantly learning new things, adapting, keeping your brain young. Embrace it and try not be be scared of it. Don't be afraid to admit when you don't know/remember something and need help. Many people will appreciate that you have the guts to do this.

- Spend at least half an hour before you go to work doing something you absolutely love be it reading, exercising, cooking, etc to get yourself in a more relaxed state.

- Echoing Rabbitgirrl, know that you come from a place of good intentions. You are only one person. The best thing you can do is act in a genuine way that you can feel good about when you get home.

- This one is probably going to seem weird but it's helped me a lot. Go on Amazon or to your local library and get some kind of guided meditation CD to listen to before you go to bed. I really like "Dynamic Intuition" by Laura Day. Sounds odd but it's really relaxing and helps you think through problems in a peaceful way instead of tearing your hair out.

Hope this helps!

[lpnflorida]

I often feel anxious the first 1 1/2 hours of any shift. I have deduced it is caused by my initial feelings of being overwhelmed, worrying will I get all the medications out on time. Will I be able to meet the needs of all of my patients.

I have learned to accept this intial anxiety is normal for me. By 0930 of the shift I manage to come to the same conclusion each and everytime .I can do this.