Do you think it is healthy to stay in nursing when it exacerbates anxiety?

Lael · Jul 18, 2012

I can relate to the anxiety and depression part. I also have had issues with these since I was young which seemed to have gotten worse while I was a med tech in the military and then since becoming a nurse. Having worked in LTC I was constantly feeling rediculous levels of anxiety during work. Often I went home worrying about what I missed, forgot to do, did wrong, I must be a crappy nurse because I didn't know this or that, etc. So seems like it never ends after you leave work.

I too wish to explore other areas of nursing like in a doctor's office, but seems it is so difficult for a new nurse to get any of these "dream jobs." Seems like nurses have to "settle" for something they hate doing these days in order to pay the bills. The other option is just to cross train! Ugh.... but to go back to school and start OVER? Seems so bleak at my age.....

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 19, 2012

I've been clinically diagnosed with depression at age 13 and took AD and anti-anxiety meds off and on.
For the most part I was able to cope but working in bedside has exacerbated my sx.
Since starting nursing 6 years ago( CNA,LPN, now new RN) I've finally come to the conclusion that sometimes the stress gets the best of me and makes me feel worse.
After much thought and consideration, I asked my doctor today to restart my medications for depression and anxiety.
Since I have bills and a contract quitting is not an option, therefore I have to do what ever it takes to get me through the day. All I can do now is take one day at a time, until I can retrieve a nursing position out of bedside.
I love nursing with every fiber of my being, but bedside is NOT for me. I don't think I can ever get used to it.
Anyone been through anything similiar?
-sigh-

I think any occupation has the capability to cause or exacerbate anxiety and depression.

Sadly, the current situation that bedside nurses experience has been documented as one of THE most stressful job settings .

Please see the thread.. "Do I need to take drugs to do my job?"

This job is causing a setback in your DOCUMENTED difficulty handling stress.

Did your (so-called) physician happily just prescribe you pills .. to handle this issue?

The "doctor" should have explored ALTERNATIVE therapies. Never take psychoactive meds from a GP.

You can do this.. with the correct guidance.

I am a fragile..kind.. soul. I've pulled it off .. for 30 years.

lweave2 · Jul 19, 2012

Hi Been there done that- I have experienced the same symptoms since I got into the nursing field. Is there any way I could talk with you over the phone & get your feedback. I feel like I have a lot in common with you & I have got to find an escape plan to get totally out of bedside nursing for good. Mainly for my mental health & my daily state of mind. It's not worth it & you sound like you know where I'm coming from. It sounds like you have been smart enough to figure how to get out of this nich of nursing (bedside care).

Could you please contact me & we can schedule a date & time to speak over the phone. I would truly love to hear what your escape plan was to jump ship. I've been trying to jump ship for years & I would love to speak to somebody who has jumped ship. It sounds like you did. GOOD FOR YOU!

P.S. I'm the nurse who asked you about the company you are working for called Aerotek. I just signed up with them & my recruiter at Aerotek wanted to know the name of the position that you have with this big health insurance company. The recruiter here in Atlanta is trying to place me with an Insurance company like you did. Would truly appreciate all your help & support!!! Sincerely- Lisa

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jul 19, 2012

I think you need to try really hard to find a non-bedside nursing job. Life is too short too feel max stress all the time. There have to be other things you can make a living doing. Case Management? Network, apply for anything and everything........

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2012

What a shame. We are the care givers of the country, and the healthcare system is making us patients.

merlee · Jul 19, 2012

You don't need to have a history of anxiety and depression to end up with both of them after working for while. If you only knew how many of your co-workers were on meds then you wouldn't feel so bad!

And it isn't just bedside nursing, at all. Many health-care positions are stressful, even the so-called 'easy' ones. There are just different stressors.

I took a break from nursing and worked in a call-center travel agency - where calls were monitored, our computer screens were watched in both real-time and afterwards, our every dollar sold meant money. Everyone seemed to be on something!!

But I truly understand what you mean, and hope you get some 'talk-therapy' to help you manage your situation, if necessary.

You are not alone.

caliotter3 · Jul 19, 2012

You have determined that bedside nursing is not for you. Now you must find a nursing job outside of bedside nursing. Since that may be difficult, I would suggest you try extended care home health first. Routine care for one stable patient may be all that you need to decrease the stress to an acceptable level. Best wishes.

billyboblewis · Jul 19, 2012

If you cand work in nursing taking those meds, I say go for it. I fnd it hard to see how all these people who say they love nursing say they dont like bedside nursing. Taking care of people is what it is all about. Sometimes you will have a longer or more dificult day and that is what it is all about in any job. SO if you dont like helping people maybe you really dont like nursing. Case management jobs are for people who started in bedside nursing and have enough knowledge to audit other people's work. You can find insurance jobs but they generally require some experinence.

the real question is do you actually love nursing or are you fantascizing. Doctors office jobs are generally given to people who just happen to be there at the right time. Though they may not be as physically demanding as hospital jobs you can end up getting into interpersonal situations with patients..customers families that are more stressful than the hospital. I suggest you find someone you can sit down with and really discuss the situation to determine if nusing is actually your best career choice and to those who come out and say they cant stand bedside nursing I wonder are you just looking for an easy way to go through your 'adult work life'

n at age 13 and took AD and anti-anxiety meds off and on.

For the most part I was able to cope but working in bedside has exacerbated my sx.

Since starting nursing 6 years ago( CNA,LPN, now new RN) I've finally come to the conclusion that sometimes the stress gets the best of me and makes me feel worse.

After much thought and consideration, I asked my doctor today to restart my medications for depression and anxiety.

Since I have bills and a contract quitting is not an option, therefore I have to do what ever it takes to get me through the day. All I can do now is take one day at a time, until I can retrieve a nursing position out of bedside.

I love nursing with every fiber of my being, but bedside is NOT for me. I don't think I can ever get used to it.

Anyone been through anything similiar?

-sigh-

SoundofMusic · Jul 19, 2012

I left bedside about 9 months ago, and I feel it's for good. I'm getting a masters degree and for now, just trying to get by on my husband's salary until i graduate.

I think about going back to hospital nursing sometimes, but I just can't. Those days were the most difficult and most stressful times I've ever experienced, EVER, as a human being. My chest would hurt, I'd go home completely exhausted and demoralized, and after a while, at my age, I had to ask myself ....."If these are the last years of my life, is this how I want to be spendiing them?"

And the answer was NO. However, if I was a younger nurse, say, in my 20's, I'd tend to just stick with it longer, pay my dues, and work my way into other positions as soon as I could.

I think it takes a certain kind of person to do bedside ...mostly a very hardened, tough, MEAN person, IMO. And that's what I was becoming myself working there. It did pay the bills, I did get great experience, and I did manage to get my daughter through college, so all was definitely not lost.

Good luck -- find balance.

sistasoul · Jul 19, 2012

Hi.

I also have anxiety and depression and bedside nursing is killing me slowly. I love taking care of people but I can't take the stress. I have to have a meeting with my manager today at 2:30 pm due to the meltdown I had last night. I know I am going to be written up or worse. Let you know how it goes when I get beack home.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2012

I had a meltdown too. It certainly wasn't pretty. Not called to the boss' office yet, but who knows? Definitely get back with us.