Depressed and Anxious Experienced Nurse

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I am a nurse with 6 years experience as a bedside medsurg/telemetry nurse. A little less than 3 months ago I transitioned to a cardiology office thinking it would a be a better, less stressful work environment. But I was wrong. I went into the new job with so much anxiety and burnout from my last job that my performance was lacking from the beginning. I also experienced bullying for the 1st 3 weeks of my orientation that really set me even more back mentally. There is more to this job than I thought and my manager spoke to me today and was visibly about me staying late to finish my tasks. I'm really trying my hardest. I feel like a failure for not being able to be quick, concise, and prioritize my tasks in an office setting. This is a whole new world to me. I mean I am able to get my tasks done. I know what to do. I unfortunately am just slow at doing them. I am afraid I am going to be let go because my manager made mention of my 3 month review coming up. I guess I am just really here to vent. IDK what to do next. I feel like I really need a break from nursing because I have been also experiencing SI. I feel so embarrassed by all of this. I'm working on getting a counselor. I'm looking into other jobs. I'm thinking about asking for my old job back but I did the same thing last year where I left for a different job but came back shortly after. I don't think they'd take me back a second time. I just want a mental break. Just a little one.... I'm so tired...

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Specializes in NICU.

First, please drop the abbreviations, as I am not sure what you mean .Different meanings for those reading your post. Sounds like you have a plan, leave the job, get counseling and recover from your stress. We all encounter some unfortunate situations and depending how well we are feeling ,strong vs weak, will determine how well we can cope.

I would say self preservation is number one, and since there was some bullying involved that would make the decision more final. Good luck to you ,hope you find what you need.

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Specializes in ICU.
1 hour ago, MissRN2394 said:

I am a nurse with 6 years experience as a bedside medsurg/telemetry nurse. A little less than 3 months ago I transitioned to a cardiology office thinking it would a be a better, less stressful work environment. But I was wrong. I went into the new job with so much anxiety and burnout from my last job that my performance was lacking from the beginning. I also experienced bullying for the 1st 3 weeks of my orientation that really set me even more back mentally. There is more to this job than I thought and my manager spoke to me today and was visibly about me staying late to finish my tasks. I'm really trying my hardest. I feel like a failure for not being able to be quick, concise, and prioritize my tasks in an office setting. This is a whole new world to me. I mean I am able to get my tasks done. I know what to do. I unfortunately am just slow at doing them. I am afraid I am going to be let go because my manager made mention of my 3 month review coming up. I guess I am just really here to vent. IDK what to do next. I feel like I really need a break from nursing because I have been also experiencing SI. I feel so embarrassed by all of this. I'm working on getting a counselor. I'm looking into other jobs. I'm thinking about asking for my old job back but I did the same thing last year where I left for a different job but came back shortly after. I don't think they'd take me back a second time. I just want a mental break. Just a little one.... I'm so tired...

Im sorry things are going so bad for you, I never did "office" nursing, but I can imagine it's more production driven than traditional hospital nursing.  your mention of SI worries me; no job is worth that level of stress.  We are not all cut out for the same nursing areas; that's one of the good things about this profession, there are a hundred or more jobs under the umbrella.  Maybe you could ask for help with your prioritization, but the bullying you mentioned sounds like you landed in a toxic office.  You tried something new, it didn't work, take the lesson and move on.  And please get some counseling, you sound like a diligent nurse, we need every good hand we can get.  Check back in and let us know how you are doing.   I /we care.  

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Specializes in ICU.

Find out if you can get some disability or any type of pay that can allow you a break. SI are very serious and you know that, you have to take care of yourself. Ask someone for help, anyone in your family or friends, can they help you out so you can take a little time off? Also that office sounds toxic, screw those bullies. 3 months is reasonable for you to still be slow at a completely different type of job than you were doing before.

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Thank you all for your advice. I am actively job searching and trying to remain positive. Hopefully what ever job I land next will be a much better fit. 

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

No job is worth your sanity!  Take a break and don't go back til you are sure you are ready.  Maybe a change in environment?  A different field in nursing?  

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