Am I too stupid to be a nurse?

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Hi,

I am a very new nurse and quit my last and first job after 2 months due to EXTREME ANXIETY. I know it sounds rash, but I don't even regret it. I was unbelieveably miserable...it's now hard for me to want to try again. I feel like at my last job, all these nurses could multitask like no other and were very detail oriented. The new nurses with me did not have a hard time like me, which leads me to believe I may not be suited for this job. It's like my brain can't process/handle dealing with so much at once. I don't want to put patients in danger, so I'm just really scared to try again. idk why it seems so much harder for me than other people in my cohort. I get very anxious and nervous in fast-paced environments, which is why I think I may not be a good fit for nursing in general. I know people are gonna tell me it's bc I'm new, but compared to my peers throughout nursing school and my last job, I was always significantly slower... Any advice is appreciated. Do you think I should switch careers?

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Switch careers after surviving nursing school and NCLEX?! No way. Nursing is a vast career with many options. You probably just have to find the nursing environment in which you belong.

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Specializes in ICU.

I think you just need to find a slower paced nursing job. like the Golden_RN says, theres so many career options.. you just gotta find the right one for you ?

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38 minutes ago, Golden_RN said:

Switch careers after surviving nursing school and NCLEX?! No way. Nursing is a vast career with many options. You probably just have to find the nursing environment in which you belong.

I feel like I can't get into those options bc I need inpatient experience first. Though, the thought of going back to inpatient makes me feel sick

1 minute ago, Lurkndmurk said:

I think you just need to find a slower paced nursing job. like the Golden_RN says, theres so many career options.. you just gotta find the right one for you ?

are there slower paced nursing jobs ???? I feel like nursing is synonymous with stress and chaos

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Hi there... maybe you’re anxious because you are not familiar with what to do if something goes wrong with a patient? I think one of the best things you can do is educate yourself, YouTube is my best friend, and go to conferences and classes. Knowledge is power. There are a lot of free podcasts Available too. I read books, i really like “the checklist Manifesto.” I also took time every month to go to conferences, hear doctors talk about patients, do CEUs, it’s offered in every institution. I think going through nursing school is hard and you’ve done it so it shows dedication. Don’t give up so easily. I get quite busy in the ICU and what I always tell myself when I’m overwhelmed is that “ I am where I am supposed to be” and it works every time. I say that to myself when I have a ton of meds to give, blood transfusions and a really sick patient and it gets me grounded.

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2 minutes ago, yournurse said:

Hi there... maybe you’re anxious because you are not familiar with what to do if something goes wrong with a patient? I think one of the best things you can do is educate yourself, YouTube is my best friend, and go to conferences and classes. Knowledge is power. There are a lot of free podcasts Available too. I read books, i really like “the checklist Manifesto.” I also took time every month to go to conferences, hear doctors talk about patients, do CEUs, it’s offered in every institution. I think going through nursing school is hard and you’ve done it so it shows dedication. Don’t give up so easily. I get quite busy in the ICU and what I always tell myself when I’m overwhelmed is that “ I am where I am supposed to be” and it works every time. I say that to myself when I have a ton of meds to give, blood transfusions and a really sick patient and it gets me grounded.

I think I'm an anxious person in general (I was never diagnosed with an anxiety disorder but I probably should be haha). i think my problem was I was just too slow and my preceptor was getting annoyed with me. That made me more anxious and it made me feel like I wasn't cut out for the work. I'm trying not to give up, but the idea of going back to inpatient gives me rashes and flashbacks from my last job...idk if I can live like that again, but at least I moved closer to my family after i quit!

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Specializes in ICU.
12 minutes ago, AmIDumb said:

are there slower paced Nursing Jobs ???? I feel like nursing is synonymous with stress and chaos

Yes, there definitely are. I'm currently working at this office setting. REALLY laid back, REALLY chill, AWESOME people. I'm never running around with my head cut off. I'm never stressed here. I get things done when I get them done

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Specializes in NICU, L&D, Public Health.

There really are jobs in nursing for almost everyone. My public health job is sooo chill compared to the hospital. But even the hospital, unit depending, can have really slowed down unstressful shifts. It all get so much easier after you get comfortable in a place and find your rhythm. Do not give up!

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1 hour ago, AmIDumb said:

I feel like I can't get into those options bc I need inpatient experience first. Though, the thought of going back to inpatient makes me feel sick

are there slower paced Nursing Jobs ???? I feel like nursing is synonymous with stress and chaos

I am in a slower-paced RN job now, but I DID work years at the bedside first. However, I did not/would not stay at a job that stole my soul. Nursing is usually rough & challenging, but just because your first job was not a good fit, doesn't mean that all nursing jobs won't be a good fit.

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Specializes in ICU.
1 hour ago, AmIDumb said:

I feel like I can't get into those options bc I need inpatient experience first. Though, the thought of going back to inpatient makes me feel sick

are there slower paced Nursing Jobs ???? I feel like nursing is synonymous with stress and chaos

Have you tried? Because im a new grad & this is my first nursing job. Only a month in, but i know i hit the jackpot here. Mon-fri, no weekends, paid holidays, 7 week PTO AND its super laid back

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Easy to say but you really shouldn't compare yourself to other new grads. They have their own struggles that you know nothing about. Some are really good at hiding their anxiety. I know I myself quit jobs as a new grad due to extreme anxiety. Yet, I remember an experienced coworker running around like a chicken with her head cut off asking me, "Orion! How do you stay so calm!" I most certainly was not calm on the inside. I promise you're not the only one feeling this way.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

First, I would recommend seeing someone about your anxiety. If you truly do have an anxiety disorder, there are things that can help you — but you have to see professionals first.

Do not quit. You will look back at this time at some point in the future and marvel at how much you have grown, and how your fears were your biggest issue. You know you're smart; you're just equating "smart" with "magically able to do everything on day one," and that is not how it works. I am going to suggest a user name change to reflect who you are inside, not a name that reflects your self-doubts (which we all have, in reality). Stop getting in your own way with this negative stuff. ?

There are also non-bedside jobs for new nurses. You might not get as high a salary as you would in the hospital, but sometimes a reduction in pay is a good trade for your sanity. Hang in there, it gets better!!

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