Anxiety Prob/3 months into job

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Hi everyone!

I graduated in December from nursing school and got a job at a small community hospital in January. I am finishing up my orientation and I am starting to freak out. I get butterflies in my stomach and I feel like I can't catch my breath. These feelings I experienced before I went into work and now I experience it on my days off. I can't get rid off the feelings. I am fine once I get going on my shift and I figured it was just nervous energy, but now it is bothering me on my days off. It is starting to affect my life. Does anyone else feel this way? I am going to call a counselor because I can't live like this so now I am starting to wonder if nursing is for me? Did i choose the right career? I get so anxious when I think about: Am i doing everything I should be doing? Do I ask too many questions? Am I stupid for asking all these questions? What should I do? Does anyone else feel this way? Please help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Being a new grad, I think it sounds perfectly normal to feel a certain degree of anxiety. I felt that way through school and the first year of my job. Straight out of school, I got a job in a rural hospital where you worked the med/surg floor and did Er. I was doing charge and er after 6 months, so I know all about anxiety. It sounds like you are having actual anxiety attacks though. It wouldn't hurt to see a counselor and possibly get on a medication for anxiety. It shouldn't be affecting you like that when your not at work. Good luck to you and write me if you need to talk, that helps.

annieicon11.gif

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a new grad and I feel the same way. I have been having panic attacks all week. I have trouble sleeping and have to keep busy at home so my mind doesnt drive me crazy. When Im off I worry that I might have forgotten to give a med or chart something. From what I hear this is usually what happens during your first year in nursing. Can I just hit the fast forward button already!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i am a new grad about 7wks into my orientation. i feel anxious at work and on my days off. being a new nurse is definitly a reality shock. you are not alone. i am expecting it to pass. good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I sure am glad that I'm not the only one with this problem. (I graduated in December too.)

What I have been doing that seems to help me, is that I got , I ask questions, and I remind myself on a constant basis of the skills that I have already learned and mastered, and try to remember how daunting that task was originally.

I wish that there was a way to hit a fast forward button also.

As far as the panic attacks go, I just try to breathe through them. I know that they will eventually let up.

It sure helps though to know that others are going through the same exact things.

PM me if you want. We can commiserate together.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i get that in clinicals too:idea:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Tele.

I've been a nurse since June and I used to have a really bad problem with anxiety........I couldnt sleep and I was always anxious and nervous but I think its normal......it has gotten so much better..........I learned what was important to stress over and what to ignore. Maybe you could try writing in a journal or exercising or just taking deep breaths. Remind yourself you are new and things will get better with time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am also having anxiety. Not attacks per say, but anxiety the same. This also tends to spill over to my days off, I stress over how I did something, among other things. I just take a deep breath, and give myself a pep talk, and things look up!! :) It is nice to know I am not the only one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, Psych.

I too have these thoughts and feelings.. I graduated in August, and then moved to California from Michigan with my fiance. I know like 2 people here and they are relatives of my fiance..

I have been at my current job in california since december and everyday I want to go back to michigan. I miss all the comforts. Hence the reason I am not sleeping now, and am on here, I am nervous for my night shift tommorrow night, well actually tonight.. :(

My anxiety is driving me nuts. I am hoping this will pass, and one day I will be a confident nurse.. :)

Thanks for reading..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med surg, telemetry, stroke.

Thank you all for sharing your problem with anxiety. I have had it the past year (my first year as an LVN) and working through my prereqs for the RN program. I literally have panic attacks every morning when I go in and have 12 patients and 5 of them need insulin at 8:00 a.m. and doctors must be called and I never get caught up. I am also 49 and in menopause so I think that is making it worse. Not sure if any of you are my age, but I ask myself what was I thinking, nursing school, new LVN, now RN program, am I crazy or just trying to kill myself. My Ob doctor wants to put me on medication but I have been afraid it will affect my memory and I will not be able to focus on my micro class or pass anatomy next time (just dropped it). I'm not sure what the answer is. I thought by one year I would be less stressed, but for me it has gotten worse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

Hi! everyone!And MIMismom! Been there done that with the panic attacks and extreme anxiety.I actually gave up nursing for a while because of it!!Then i went to a different area of nursing,and have been fine ever since.Maybe Mimismom,you need a different area of nursing. Remember, the door is wide open for opportunities.Good luck,Hon.( Im surprised there are so many of us nervous persons out there)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

Hi everyone!! Its amazing to see there are so many persons who suffer from anxiety.I ,too suffer from panic attacks and anxiety.Maybe you might need to switch areas of nursing.That seemed to help me.I used to be constantly on edge,no sleep, weighed 95 LBs.,Cause i was so nervous at work.When i went to different areas of nursing,I felt much calmer, and overall more relaxed,Maybe you should try looking into a new area.Good luck,I know its hard

Sorry for the similiar message ,my computer has been not working correctly.(above post)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment