Is it normal to panic?

underpaidrn · Oct 1, 2007

What you are feeling is perfectly normal. It's okay to feel stress but don't let it consume you. Relax, take time with your family and do some of the things you love to do outside of work. If you still feel overwhelmed, ask your employer about assistance for stress management. Most places offer some type of assistance. Being a nurse is a tough job. If we make a mistake someone's life may end. It's a lot of responsibility but it will get better as you become more sure of yourself. Please take care of yourself and remember that this too shall pass. Best of luck to you. I will be thinking of you and sending a little smile and hug to you.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2007

"Panic" not normal. But what you're describing is not panic, just everyday new grad jitters that we all have.......and we all survive.

You can do this. We've all been there. Take care of yourself physically and emotionally and it will spill over to work and help you deal with the anxiety of being a new nurse.

NewNurse16 · Oct 2, 2007

You described exactly what I am feeling. I have this week left on orientation and then I am on my own next week. I am freaking out!!!! It has started to consume me so much that my preceptor asked me what was bothering me because stress was all over my face at work this past weekend. And because I was so stressed out I did not feel like I had a hold of my assignment. After getting teary eyed (so humiliating of course) as I was talking my feelings of anxiety over with my preceptor she assured me everything would be ok. I realized I cannot let these feelings of anxiety control my life because since I started working I feel like I am so detached from my family on my days off because all I do is think about the last day I worked and the upcoming day I am scheduled to work. And if it is so bad it affects my work life and home life then I will never have control of my assignments and I will never enjoy my days off. So as of this week I am going to try and get a hold of these feelings of anxiety by being active on my days off, exercising, reading a book, shopping, etc. and in the end I think that will help me be focused at work. YOU WILL BE GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is better to be nervous than not to be nervous, it shows you really care about the job you do and you just want to give the best care you possibly can, which shows you are going to be a fantastic nurse!!!!! I think allnurses.com is a great support system for us!!!! Keep your head up and stay positive and know that you will be great!!!!

november17, ASN, RN · Oct 2, 2007

I felt the same way when I first graduated, went into orientation. Heck I've only been on my own for a month and a half or so and I already feel a lot better. Try to look at the positive things. For one thing, you won't have anyone looking over your shoulder anymore! (well, there will be, but not like a preceptor does)

cousx2 · Oct 2, 2007

The fact that you are nervous, while uncomfortable for you, is actually comforting to observers. If you were going into this after a few weeks or months of orientation 100% confident and sure of yourself, then *I* would be seriously worried for your patients! Your anxiety means that you take your responsibility very seriously, more proof that the positive feedback you have received was justified. It will subside with time. Remember to ask for help before you're buried. You'll be great!

SarasotaRN2b · Oct 2, 2007

Even though you are not on orientation any longer, it doesn't mean that you can't ask for help. One of the things that I am so impressed with on my unit is that orientation varies to the new nurse. Some grads really pick up fast and that's great, but others may need a little more time and there doesn't seem to be any pushing out of the nest until they are ready. Also, if one nurse is having a particularly heavy load, the other nurses will offer to help when they can and the charge nurses are also really great about getting in to help. As long as you don't take advantage of your fellow nurses, I don't think you'll have any problems.

dru2007 · Oct 4, 2007

I, too, an axious and freaked out on my last day off prior to going back to work. I am a new grad who is orienting on a multi-system PCU floor. The patient load for nurses is 5. I have worked my way up to 4 so far. (its only been 3 shifts with 4 pts).I am constantly running in different directions, trying to get a hold on the problems that arise( which are many). I am on my toes at all times. I try to do the best that I can. My preceptor feels I am doing well, but I cannot shake the feeling that I will miss something crucial. I have attempted to find the perfect organization sheet/method to keep everything in line, but still have not perfected one yet.

I guess what I am saying, not very well, is that I am afraid each and every day. Of exactly what, I don't know. Just gut-wrenching fear. But, I love providing patient care. I feel great each day when the shift has ended, because I know that this is exactly where I should be. I must learn to be patient with my learning curve and enjoy each small success. (such as catching on an assessment something where an immediate intervention is needed). I feel better just from writing this post. Sorry for babbling. I am learning to keep focused, to be proactive and proud of my abilities.

<3Nursing07 · Oct 5, 2007

I'm happy to know that I'm not the only person that is feeling this way or has felt this way. I just had another shift yesterday and it went smoothly, I'm just always nervous I missed something. I feel a lot better now that I actually wrote the post and from all the comments...thankfully my anxiety has decreased I'm not feeling that gut renching fear as strongly as before, so Thank you everyone who replied :)

mycatmax · Oct 5, 2007

I just ended orientation as well. I have been working on my own for about 3 weeks now, and yes it is scarey! It is comforting to know that there is always someone working next to you that can help if need be.

I just had to respond to this thread b/c I felt a lot like you did. I just graduated from nursing school in may, and I developed an anxiety disorder while attending nursing school. I knew I had it, but could not get medical attention b/c I had no insurance or money. I started my job as an RN and got insurance, then made an appointment asap. I worked for a few weeks without any treatment for my disorder and I would sweat, not take breaks, my heart would pound and I was just all over scared, and I mean SCARED. I started the med and felt better 2 weeks later. I honestly think that if I had never started the med, I would have probably quit my job and tried finding an office RN job (I work on a telemetry unit). On top of helping with my anxiety, the med has just made me an overall happier person all together. I even love/enjoy my boyfriend more, and I can enjoy little moments that before I had taken for granted b/c I was too busy worrying obsessively about work or school.... I wasn't expecting such a change!

If you have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, talk to them with your doctor. I hope you do well! Take care! And good luck!!!!!

november17, ASN, RN · Oct 5, 2007

I just had another shift yesterday and it went smoothly I'm just always nervous I missed something. [/quote']
I've been on my own 2 months now (wow that flew by), and I still feel like I missed stuff all the time. The other day I forgot to punch out

bigreddog1934 · Oct 6, 2007

thanks so much for this thread. i am due to leave orientation in about eight days and am really freaking out. i work in an er on the west side of chicago with very large volume and am nervous about nearly everything. what a rush.

im sorry that so many of you guys are feeling this way, but in all honesty, it does help to hear im not the only one. at least were all in good company.

:)