anxiety after being an RN for 14 years

allnurses Guide · May 5, 2012

I can almost relate to you; I've been an RN almost nine years... I still get anxious, I still have confidence issues,

and I envy certain classmates who found their niche a LONG time ago and are still working in the same area

of nursing, on the same FLOOR.

I mean, right now I don't even have a JOB. I've moved around so much...

MomRN0913 · May 5, 2012

I can relate. At about the 4 and a half year mark I deveopled bad anxiety about nursing. SO much, actually, I took an adminstration job offered to me hoping my anxiety about making a med error/missing something/harming someone would go away. I was in the ICU bedside, FYI.

Well, I missed bedside nursing. So almost a year and a half later since I left it I went into home hospice/palliative care.

I feel the anxiety creeping back in, but not as bad.

Seriously, I why it came later rather than sooner. sorry I'm not much of a help, but I do get it and am baffled by it too.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 5, 2012

Why am I having so much anxiety? I have been an RN for 14 years , I can perform tasks just fine but I still worry about what everyone thinks of me and my decisions. I have gone for counseling and still have these issues. I currently work med-surg and I hate it. I have always loved cardiac and senior patients maybe I am in the wrong area but I don't want to burn any bridges. Any thoughts greatly appreciated, thanks for reading

Why do you feel that changing specialties would result in burning bridges? Nurses do this all the time.

As to frequent worries about what people think of you and your decisions, you may be giving that more weight than it really deserves. With all due respect, most people are way too busy with their own concerns to give you much thought.

I always loved that quote that Dr. Phil attributes to his father: "You wouldn't worry about what others think of you if you knew how seldom they did." Something to that effect.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · May 5, 2012

Have you always had anxiety issues? I found that the older I got, the worse my OCD/anxiety got. I talked to my GP about it, and being the wonderful practitioner she is, she taught me several tricks to decrease my situational anxiety. I also recruited my husband into helping me recognize subtle signs that my anxiety was increasing, and he has been supportive.

Talk to your GP and see what options would fit you best.

Zookeeper3 · May 5, 2012

I'm going to be blunt, as hormones change, anxiety creeps in. My daughters neruologist manages estrogen levels and swears that stress response is the result of the fluctuations of our bodies changing each year. What to do"? get estrogen levels checked... consider zoloft, an anti anxiety med like xanax to help you sleep. Meditation, yoga, do a self reflection day where you really evaluate what is causing this.

i'm not being crass, or pushing drugs as a simple solution. After two years on the job, what peers think of me should be solidified in my practice and I should be good, your issues may be internal. If so, and I may be wrong here, there are so many ways to treat it!

You've done the counceling route and I give you so much credit for that, it's either the wrong councelor or you need some medication assistance. You would tell your patient there is nothing wrong with needing medicine to get through a rough time... why does that not apply to you? Add yoga, get a hobby away from the family and work, something that is pure you.

After several months of this, if it doesn't work, work is the issue. Many people are afraid of change, and the idea causes a larger stress response than actually doing it and jumping in. Just food for thought. I am really trying to help, there are alternatives to help you until you are more comfortable making that leap.

please don't forget that nursing is the most versitile profession, birth babies, ICU, ER, same day surgery, doctors office, call center.... I could go on and on... as long as you work out the required notice, bridges are NEVER burned.

I wish you peace and patience on your journey to find what you are looking for.

lawandaluxnurse, ADN, BSN · May 6, 2012

It never hit me until you said it, my anxiety had increased as I have aged, something to think about, thanks

lawandaluxnurse, ADN, BSN · May 6, 2012

Thanks for all the responses. I have tried meds and at times they work, you have all given me some good ideas. Thanks!