Depressed RN seeking to learn from others. I would greatly appreciate your stories…

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hello,

I’ve been a nurse approx 7 years; majority of experience in ICU, Cath Lab, IR.

IDK what exactly I am searching for… I’ve felt a bit lost lately. Maybe I need to think about things differently, maybe I need a wake up call, some clarity. Maybe I need to try harder, or gain some insight from those more experienced than me.. maybe?

I’m about to start a new ICU job and would like to get my head straight before starting that new job. I'm single, no kids, no family - immediate family is abusive and I left them years ago. My last encounter with them last year left me with an injury and I gained an orthopedic surgeon after that experience. I guess I feel like my support network is limited. I do have wonderful friends and roommates and appreciate them all very much though. 

Counselors / therapy w meds are helpful and all... however, I feel like only nurses truly understand what nursing is all about, and so I am reaching out to learn from others about if, when, how, and how they overcame the challenges of nursing, balancing personal well being, home life, expectations… whatever the circumstances.

Is there a story that comes to mind to you as I bring these things up and ask these questions? If so, I’d love to hear them. 

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     As a career RN, I have intermittently felt like this for most of my years as a nurse: always feeling a bit lost , constantly searching for something, and waiting for an epiphany....sadly, mine never came.  Although you have these feelings, you seem fairly insightful and kudos to you for seeking professional help.  I would encourage you to really do some soul searching though.  If you feel nursing is contributing to your depression and not a profession that you want to continue in long term, don't wait until you have a family or children to make a big change (it's often too late at that point).  Another coping mechanism that I have personally used, is to step back from high intensity, stressful, and chaotic areas of nursing (ICU, CCU, CVOR...)...this daily stress of life and death and tragedy can often exacerbate mental illness. Lastly, maybe think about cutting back your hours; go part time or better yet, per diem.  Find what nourishes your soul and avoid that which doesn't.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
4 hours ago, morelostthanfound said:

     As a career RN, I have intermittently felt like this for most of my years as a nurse: always feeling a bit lost , constantly searching for something, and waiting for an epiphany....sadly, mine never came.  Although you have these feelings, you seem fairly insightful and kudos to you for seeking professional help.  I would encourage you to really do some soul searching though.  If you feel nursing is contributing to your depression and not a profession that you want to continue in long term, don't wait until you have a family or children to make a big change (it's often too late at that point).  Another coping mechanism that I have personally used, is to step back from high intensity, stressful, and chaotic areas of nursing (ICU, CCU, CVOR...)...this daily stress of life and death and tragedy can often exacerbate mental illness. Lastly, maybe think about cutting back your hours; go part time or better yet, per diem.  Find what nourishes your soul and avoid that which doesn't.

Thank you for your response. Truly appreciate it. Certainly some things to think about... 

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