anxiety

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I have been an LPN for three and a half years. For the first three years I worked at a "Nursing home" that was more of a pscy. facility. I worked third shift. Now do to my husbands hours, he works sometimes from 6am to 6 or 7pm. We have a 18 month old and no day care at this time. I had no other option to go agency 2nd shift and work days he has off or days he is home by 2pm. They have mostly been sending me to the county jail, and a couple nursing homes. every time I go to a new place or encountered a new situation I am overwhelmed with anxiety. I often feel inadequate. I am scared to death, and therefor have avoided first shift, because of the high stress on first shift. I do take xanax for anxiety but don't take it at work because It makes me sleepy. The other day at the jail a 26 month pregnant woman was having contractions. I had only been there a few times and my experience with this is the 8 week clinical at school. I wound up calling one of the RNs from another area of the jail to help me. she did a great assessment, and called the Dr. she had no problem bailing me out, but I am so tired of feeling scared and incompetent. any suggestions in how to deal with this?

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is there any one else that feels this way? I really need some suggestions on how to get over this.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Not any advice really, but some empathy. You are in a sucky situation and I hope you are able to find your way out of it soon.

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I don't have any advice either largo, I'm not a nurse so I've never been there. I have felt incompetent at times as well though. I've decided I better learn how to handle it now (as a CNA) before I become a nurse.

Best wishes!

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I know exactly how you feel. I’ve only done agency once, and only worked for about 4 days. I hated it. I felt so inadequate, and every facility does things different, so it’s hard to fulfil your commitment/contract to the facility and agency. I would suggest trying to find a job that would work around your husbands schedule. Or maybe one that offered day care? I wouldn’t suggest anyone going into agency, I HATED it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.

Can you get a PRN job at the one facility, so you don't have to change all the time? Agency nursing is quite stressful, if you're already an anxious person - even the most confident nurse is somewhat nervous with new staff, facility, patients, policies and equipment.

If hubby works 6am - 6pm, could you do a couple of night shifts per week at one place?

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I really want to find something at night like a 10-6 shift at a nursing home. I think that might be for the best. Most do 11-7, but who knows, if they are desperate they might compromise. Thanks so much for letting me know I am not alone feeling this way. I will have to wait until after the holidays, most places hold back checks a week or two. any way thanks for the input

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Specializes in Skilled.

HI. My advice would be get one shift. And one job. You are on call enough for your family. Only you can make and control your work schedule. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. I think if you get the right schedule and job, your anxiety will lessen. I could never do days. I like afternoons and nights. I understand. I also did not work until my kids were out of school. Yes, I was always broke. But, it all worked out. Pray alot.

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Thanks,

one job, one shift, yep sounds good to me. I am scheduled at the jail through the agency all next week, and of course they never put me in the same location of the jail twice and its like each section is a new facility. but after the first of the year I am going to find something consistent. I hate to admit defeat, but I am so tired of going to work with that sense of total panic.

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Specializes in Skilled.

Largo.

You are not defeated. You are an L.P.N. I do not know how old you are, but cinfidence comes with experience. I have been a nurse since 1980 and now almost an R.N. I am not afraid of ANY situation. ANY. Remember, you are NOT AN E.R. doctor and they are throwing you around and into instances that warrants a medical professional in say like an E. R. field.

DO not accept 'defeat'. Use it as experience and get organized with your plan to work. Go for it. Go with total confidence. YOU CAN DO IT.:D

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Largo.

You are not defeated. You are an L.P.N. I do not know how old you are, but confidence comes with experience. I have been a nurse since 1980 and now almost an R.N. I am not afraid of ANY situation. ANY. Remember, you are NOT AN E.R. doctor and they are throwing you around and into instances that warrants a medical professional in say like an E. R. field.

DO not accept 'defeat'. Use it as experience and get organized with your plan to work. Go for it. Go with total confidence. YOU CAN DO IT.:D

thanks for the vote of confidence, and the pep talk. you don't know what it means to me, really. I admire all you RNs and soon to be RNs out there with such great assessment skills, and general knowledge. I am always so happy when they send me to the part of the jail where an RN is there willing to help and teach. There are only a few sections of the jail where you are the only nurse in that pod. But that's where I get sent sometimes. any way thanks so much.

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Specializes in Skilled.

You are totally welcome largo....if you ever have questions. Feel free to mail me privately. Don't underestimate youself. Ever. :nuke:

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