Do you get really nervous before a shift?

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2015

Not anymore. I've been working in PACU for nearly 3 months now and I don't have too much anxiety, not like I did when I worked in ER and med-surg. I work weekends and on Saturday and Sunday I'm the only one there. So if I am expecting two patients at the same time, then I have to worry about logistics such as where to recover the patients and giving adequate notice to the nurse on call to come in. Also some anxiety about getting a patient out of PACU (wherever PACU may be) back to their rooms. Nothing like dealing with the crap in ER or med-surg.

_Skittles_ · Mar 8, 2016

Yes! I just got back from a short vacation and I just couldn't understand why I was shaky and my heart rate was in the 130's! I just did not feel right. I checked a pregnancy test, checked my caffeine intake, nothing seemed out of place! My coworker finally pointed out it sounded like a panic attack. It's been happening for the past 4 shifts since and idk why since I like my job and although it is a high intensity floor it's never a problem since my coworkers are always willing to pitch in to help. It's never happened to me before too and I've been on my floor for years. If it continues I'll probably go talk to my PCP. Ugh not fun!

Julius Seizure · Mar 8, 2016

I work in ICU and I only get anxious when I'm coming back after a vacation. And then I think it's probably more dread than anxiety. :)

Even though I never know what my shift will be like, I guess by now I walk in expecting that I float a lot, and that it's not unheard of for the crash cart to be sitting outside of a room. Just another day living the dream I guess [emoji57]

Rexie · Mar 13, 2016

I experienced that for about the first 6 months or so. It would disappear once I got on the floor and got busy. I still get it from time to time, if I've had an especially bad shift or a string of tough shifts. Again, once I get out on the floor, I'm ok. Hang in there, it gets better.

NYbabyRN, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2016

I usually felt a bit of anxiety before almost every shift when I worked in med-surg; there was just so many variables and how the shift could go! It usually got better one the shift started.

Maevish, ASN, RN · Apr 14, 2016

The only thing I get nervous (and it's more like anxious) about at this job is them floating me, since I've told them I won't go anywhere unless it's in a "helping out" situation. It's already too scary here most of the time and I'm not compromising my license by actually taking pts out on the floor:no:

I would be nervous if I had to take a pt with a balloon pump right now, though, since it's been a couple years since I've had one (they don't usually let travelers take super sick pts) so that's a bummer because I liked them.

xo