does this go away

[RNttu]

Not sure if I am writing this on the right board but I have been a nurse for a little over a year and off orientation for about 9 months. The past few weeks I have been having constant fears about things that have happened at work. I come home from work every night and just stare at my "brain" thinking did I do this this? Did I do this wrong? I've been so scared that I have made a serious mistake but cant put a finger? Or am I so scared that i've made a mistake that I have convinced myself that I have? Does anyone else every feel like this? Am I just not cut out to be a nurse? I can only think of one possible case that I have made a mistake on and that was if a consent form was correctly filled out. Should I talk to my manager about this and have her check into so I can stop worrying about it or should I just let it go. Im just afraid if I did do something wrong with this particular item that Im going to lose my job if not my license. Im not sure whats worse worrying about not looking into things and never knowing if i did something wrong or looking into things and I did do something wrong and possibly losing my job. Which brings me into a whole another fear. If you get fired does any one else ever hire you?

I just dont know what to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated

[poopprincess]

Sounds to me like you have too much anxiety. Nursing is really stressful and I am brand new in this field. However, even at just a few mo. I worry, but I don't bring it home. My question is what is the source of it? Have you made a mistake in the past that still bothers you? Is there a trigger for the feelings/thoughts? Can you pinpoint the source? I believe that all of us nurses worry to some extent. Some more than others. It also depends on personality and past experiences.

You can do this. I don't even know you personally, but you have been doing it for over a yr. so your capable. It's just a matter of understanding the source of the anxiety and a way to relieve it. If your job offers counseling of some sort, maybe you should give it a try to see it makes you feel better. If something is bothering you then you can discuss it and it may the underlying cause of all this. Sorry I can't be of more help. I'm sending hugs and postive thoughts your way. :)

[smiler2010]

I know exactly how you feel! I worked in a hospital 8 months on a busy surgical unit, I felt like that everyday when I got home....I would worry, worry, worry! I think it is because we know how much responsibility we have on our shoulders. I have heard that most nurses feel this way and it gets better with time and experience. For me personally, I have always worried about stuff more than others...I didn't think it would get better. I now work in a health department and LOVE IT! The patients aren't so acutely ill and the go home! I have done so much better with leaving work at work, I could never do that at the hospital! Please don't think I am trying to make you do what I did but I just want you to know that there are other options if it doesn't get better! Good Luck!

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

You really have to put some work into losing your license.... instructors hang that over students' heads which makes the first year or so even worse. The only nurse I know of (and it was because of the crime she committed) was Andrea Yates, who drowned her 5 kids. It took the board a year to yank it- no joke.... Others are for drug offenses (addiction that they will not get help for - the BON even allows for an addict to get rehab and SAVE their license-but if they screw that up, they're S-O-L....).

Yes- the jitters go away. If there is a problem MOST managers will come to you. If there is something specific you're worried about, talk to her; if it's the whole job- ride it out.....it gets less terrifying :)

You're supposed to question what you do (especially in your own head).... if you thought everything you did as a relatively new grad, you'd be the scariest nurse on the planet

[Carefreeliving]

Yes! These feelings will eventually go away. You just need to plow through that first year of nursing. Once you develop that foundation of confidence in your work, most of this anxiety will subside. Some anxiety is ok, it keeps you in check.

[solneeshka, BSN, RN]

It may be that you're on a particularly stress-inducing unit. Maybe consider going into another field of nursing. The lowest stress nursing experience I've ever had was actually working in an ER! It was not a level one, mind you. But a smaller community hospital's ER might be just the ticket for you. The work is much more streamlined, there are no scheduled medications, you will probably have a better nurse:patient ratio, it goes on and on! It's just a series of one-off orders. And even though it's a series of new patient's throughout your shift, the triage nurse has done all of the "admitting" work. Look into it! You sound conscientious, I bet you'd love it.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I still experience this A LOT. I just think it's the stress of being a new grad. I've talked this over with my coworkers and they said it's normal and it will go away eventually!

[Rosie_one]

Maybe you should chat to some of the other nurses you work with and debrief on the situation and what was good about your actions and what you could have done differently, so when this situations comes around again you're more prepared.

The fact that you are worrying about your patients shows that you care. I used to be like this when I first started when a treatment etc didn't go as planned.I still go over things in my head when I've had a MET call, did i do everything I could have, what else could I have done? One nurse I worked with said don't stress about it, without a nurse they wouldbe dead, so everything you do give them a chance.

I have gotten better over the years, but when I'm nursing in an area I'm not familar with I do get a bit more anxious. We all think this way at times, it's part of reflective practice and it's how we get better at what we do.

I agree with the other posts, if this is getting too much talk to someone who understands and maybe if you don't like the areayou work in move to another ward until you feel more confident again.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Also, (and I'm not a big fan of PRN anxiety meds...BUT.....) you might talk to your own doctor about this. Even a short term course of anxiolytics could help you get comfortable enough to know you're doing ok :)

If it effects the rest of your life, and you're having a lot of thoughts about work when you're not there, you might ask your doc about something :)

[alby_dangle]

I have a little over a year of experience and I still feel like this every shift. It doesn't help that my job is prn so I don't get the benefit of getting used to the job with designated hours every week. But I agree with the person above though who said you should not bring it home. I dont bring it home and it the best thing you can do. Separate your work and home lives, because if you cant relax at home then where are you going to relax?

Its normal to feel the way you do. As nurses, we have people's lives in our hands and we have ver stressful jobs because of this fact. Hang in there, it will get easier.

[luvemmaboo]

I feel like I could have written this. I am a new grad with only a couple of months experience. The other night I almost convinced myself I made a med error when I didn't. It is good to know I am not alone on this. I started seeing a therapist to help with my anxiety. Maybe that can help you.

Emma