Hi all, I’m back to bother you again! I posted a few weeks ago about taking a break from work due to issues with bipolar disorder. I spoke to my manager and charge nurse and they want me to come back, even after learning of my diagnosis. They’re aware of the mistakes I’ve made at work and say none are major and it’s common while getting used to a new job. They think I’m exaggerating how bad I am at the job, which may be true because I catastrophize.
it’s very nice that they want me back, but I think trying to keep up in a fast paced PACU is too much for me. I struggle to get patients out before another one comes out and the stress is bad. I’m thinking of working at a clinic for the elderly that looks like a perfect fit; slower pace and lower acuity. The pay is MUCH lower (practically half!) but my partner and I live for almost free with her mom (don’t hate, Bay Area is crazy and we do the cooking/cleaning, house is paid off!) Has anyone taken a big pay cut and not regretted it? I’m learning money isn’t everything! Thanks for your feedback!!
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
@Runsoncoffee99 Wow, 20 is so young! I was 22 and still didn't feel ready. It's great that you can comfortably talk to patients, and maybe your extra awareness of your interactions benefits them because I'm sure you're careful and deliberate in how you treat them. I think the stress of hospital nursing exacerbates pre-existing mental health conditions, so maybe that's why your social anxiety is worse when you work on the floor? Do you enjoy bedside nursing? If so I hope there is a way to combat the anxiety so it doesn't prevent you from doing the type of work you want to do. = )
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
On 9/27/2021 at 6:55 AM, Runsoncoffee99 said:
I want to reveal my social anxiety disorder at my new job, but I’m terrified what they may think about me. I wanted to reveal it so nobody thinks I’m stuck up or I don’t like them due to my behaviors. I’m not a talker and I can already see coworkers getting irritated. I do say good morning and hello, but it’s not enough I guess.
The decision on this requires weighing several factors, I think as Viva mentioned, employers in general still tend to stigmatize mental health disorders vs other disabilities or general medical diagnoses in nursing.
Fortunately, in my case I was able to learn social interactions by a sort of "fake it til you make it", because I genuinely wanted to get to know people and become part of the team. I too was 20 years old when I started my first job, though so maybe that was part of it
I did share my tendency to panic attacks with an employer long ago, but I had already worked there for a long time, and like Libra's employer, they were very supportive.
If they are misinterpreting your behavior to the degree you describe, it might be best to share even though you are new on the job.
@Runsoncoffee99 Wow, 20 is so young! I was 22 and still didn't feel ready. It's great that you can comfortably talk to patients, and maybe your extra awareness of your interactions benefits them because I'm sure you're careful and deliberate in how you treat them. I think the stress of hospital nursing exacerbates pre-existing mental health conditions, so maybe that's why your social anxiety is worse when you work on the floor? Do you enjoy bedside nursing? If so I hope there is a way to combat the anxiety so it doesn't prevent you from doing the type of work you want to do. = )
My social anxiety gets worse the more coworkers I interact with and if family stands around and watches me. The social anxiety virtually disappeared working private duty. Even though sometimes family stands around in private duty, I didn’t feel anxious. I guess it’s because I was very confident with my skill set in Pdn. It became exacerbated doing skilled visits and now the hospital.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I have in the past but never again. In terms of mental health I in a pretty good place right now but I do work psych so I'm in the right place if my mind runs down the rabbit hole.
I reduced my hours to 75% because I wasnt recovering to baseline between shifts. My family called me lazy, but my coworkers noticed a big improvement, and so did I. I think we're entitled to a life beyond nursing.
I reduced my hours to 75% because I wasnt recovering to baseline between shifts. My family called me lazy, but my coworkers noticed a big improvement, and so did I. I think we're entitled to a life beyond nursing.
I have reached a point in my career where I am beyond burned out and have decided to also cut my hours. Why is the societal expectation to work a minimum of 40hrs./week and anything short of that is being lazy or unmotivated. Where is this rule written regarding this and why do we have to follow it?
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
On 10/21/2021 at 4:53 AM, Runsoncoffee99 said:
My social anxiety gets worse the more coworkers I interact with and if family stands around and watches me. The social anxiety virtually disappeared working private duty. Even though sometimes family stands around in private duty, I didn’t feel anxious. I guess it’s because I was very confident with my skill set in Pdn. It became exacerbated doing skilled visits and now the hospital.
OMG people watching me put gloves on makes me so nervous! I think being in a new setting definitely makes a difference. When you gain experience and confidence I hope your anxiety will improve = )
On 10/23/2021 at 5:55 PM, morelostthanfound said:
I have reached a point in my career where I am beyond burned out and have decided to also cut my hours. Why is the societal expectation to work a minimum of 40hrs./week and anything short of that is being lazy or unmotivated. Where is this rule written regarding this and why do we have to follow it?
True! In some countries the 40 hour workweek is not the norm. Here it seems 40 hours would be good but you’re more impressive if you do 80! Yuck
Yes but for job satisfaction not for stress. Over 10 years ago I took an office job in management of the admit-transfer center and hated it from day one. I missed patient contact and after six months took a pay cut to go to back to floor nursing.
I've always said that I won't retire young or rich but at least I'll be doing what I'm best at and relatively happy at.
I'm sure you'll do what's best for you and your mental health. All the best.
LibraNurse27, BSN, RN
972 Posts
@Runsoncoffee99 Wow, 20 is so young! I was 22 and still didn't feel ready. It's great that you can comfortably talk to patients, and maybe your extra awareness of your interactions benefits them because I'm sure you're careful and deliberate in how you treat them. I think the stress of hospital nursing exacerbates pre-existing mental health conditions, so maybe that's why your social anxiety is worse when you work on the floor? Do you enjoy bedside nursing? If so I hope there is a way to combat the anxiety so it doesn't prevent you from doing the type of work you want to do. = )