Can't stop thinking about work

[Michelles87]

Hello. I am a long time follower of this site, but first time poster.

I feel like this is not a typical post about obsessing over work, because I am not a brand new nurse and haven't started a new job. I have been a nurse for 2 years on a medical step down floor at a large facility. I'm not sure why, but as of late I can not stop having negative thoughts about nursing. When it comes to my job, I am constantly thinking that I forgot something or have done something wrong after my shifts. I just cannot escape my thoughts- even when I have a few days off I am constantly thinking about having to go back to work. I feel like every shift as of late has resulted in me becoming completely overwhelmed. Its gotten to the point that I no longer enjoy what I do whatsoever.

My question is... has this happened ever happened to anyone else with over a year of experience/no job change? What did you do?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You are describing a common reaction to being overworked. Instead of obsessing.. DO something about it.

You have two years of experience.... plenty enough to move to a less stressful environment.

[Bklyn_RN]

It would be in your mental health interest to seek a less demanding work environment.

[Libby1987]

I had this happen twice, both times were in conjunction with layering on more responsibility/less rest and recoup time. First was with becoming a single mom, 2nd with bringing a 3rd child into a busy family life with school aged kids. I just didn't have the bandwidth plus I felt guilty for the lack of time I had with my kids, now diluted further.

I work very long hours now of my own doing as I've taken a huge project with lofty goals. The difference is that my kids are grown and I set myself up for little responsibility for the time being. Instead of burn out I get endorphin rushes for every little win and the tough days don't set me back. And I have no guilt now with working because my job generates my kids' debt free college educations. I feel like a good mom now, which has all been in my head but mom guilt is real.

Those are just the details of my story but my anxiety and burn out and lack thereof were/are aligned with where I was/am in life.

[TriciaJ, RN]

You are describing a common reaction to being overworked. Instead of obsessing.. DO something about it.

You have two years of experience.... plenty enough to move to a less stressful environment.

I agree that this is a reaction to being chronically overworked and over-stressed. After a while, your brain just doesn't bother to get off the hamster wheel; it just keeps running on.

If a vacation isn't enough to hit the reset button then it's time to look for the exits. Stop worrying how it will look on a resume. Quitting after giving proper notice always looks better than getting to the point VivaLasViejas got to. It could easily happen to any of us if we keep putting our own needs on the back burner.

Keep us posted.

[nightlightnurseaide]

best thing to do to prevent this is go through a mental checklist and make sure you did everything, but even with that the stress of work always clouds are minds. It may be just where you work, so find another place to work, if this is the case.

[zoidberg, BSN, RN]

I was several years in to a really busy surgical unit. I was terrible. Grumpy, high strung, etc. Long story short, i figured out the cause of my stress was being too involved in the politics. I quit being charge, quit commitees. Ended up joining the float pool. My manager never bothers me. No meetings. Just taking care of patients. I guess my point is: if you can pinpoint what most causes your anxiety then you know what to change.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Meditation helps me.

I've tried other stuff like a no talking about work from this time to this time rule.

But meditation helps me better than anything else.

[Tboland88]

This happens to me when I have a busy day at work. When I get home I go over the day in my head a million times, making sure I didnt forget to do something. I have even thought I forgot to tell the night nurse something soo called to at like midnight to tell her!

[BeccaPax]

Yes. Usually I just push it out of my mind. I just have to believe I am competent and since I double-check everything, trust that I did the best I could. When it gets to the point where I can no longer just push it out of my mind, that usually means I need a vacation.