Have to go in tonight ....acckk.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · May 26, 2008

Sound of music--I always pay attention to your posts as you began your career around the same time I began mine--and you express some of the same emotions that I have. I hate that your feeling this way tonight. Sometimes having a few days off will do that to you.

Best of luck tonight.

DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · May 27, 2008

I totally understand how you feel! I feel the same way every time I have to go back to work. I've actually been off for 4 nights and already I have to go back tomorrow night..I still have that anxiety feeling and I have 1.5 years of experience! It will get better as you progress. Just take it one day at time. :)

jncRN · May 27, 2008

OP and other posters:

It is so good to hear that other people feel this way, too.

I just started my orientation last week, and I can see that it is going to be anxiety-provoking for a while. I think the support we get from each other as nurses is very important to our well-being! :)

Take care, you can do it...we can do it! :)

:nurse: NurseScarlett...brand new BScN

Morettia2, BSN, RN · May 27, 2008

you are not alone!!! I feel the exact same way!!

Chloe'sinNYNow · May 27, 2008

Ditto y'all. And the fun part is, this is my last extension for being on orientation this weekend. I fly solo next Tuesday!!!!!

OMG, the panic attacks that wake me at 3AM when I do finally get to sleep. Then wake dripping w/ sweat. Or the desire to steer my car away from the exit ramp that takes me to my hospital and just continue driving. I feel my bags getting heavier and heavier as I walk through the parking deck to my elevator and the smile plastered on my face starts to look more and more fake as I lose my sole surviving happy moment from the outgoing shift who are so gloomy, irate, bitter, and look like the day's taken its toll on them as well.

I tell myself that it's not Alzheimer's kicking in. I give myself pep talks to push onward, but gawd help me, I feel the same terror wondering what kind of case load I'll get tonight, or what different procedures I'll be chastised for doing incompetently, AGAIN!!!

Oh you are not alone. I'm absolutely terrified that I have my whole existence relying on this gig that is sucking the life out of me and disallowing me to enjoy the days off inbetween due to fatigue, achiness, or pure anxiety and need to do errands, chores, domestics...

:dzed:

Chloe

:nurse:

RN-BSN, BA

sammy75 · May 27, 2008

I always have a sense of dread when going back to work after a few days off. Mine mostly stems around who my co-workers are for the night, not the pts. Yes, I have a copy of the schedule at home but it get changed so much and then you have people calling in, getting called off, getting pulled to other floors....the list goes on and on. Sorry for the rant but I guess what I'm trying to say is that if I work w/ a great group of people then my night is alot more fun!!

SoundofMusic · May 27, 2008

Meeee, too. Sometimes I walk in and I see the group that will be there, and I either breathe a sigh of relief or I have to think to myself -- uh oh, here we go --

Once I'm off, I hope to be able to to schedule myself with my favorite folks as much as possible. Some are extremely nice and fun -- others not so much.

imanedrn · May 27, 2008

Ugh. I just can't shake the anxiety tonight before my shift. I've been off for three days, just utterly enjoying life and now I have to go back in. I don't know why I'm so scared, but it's always like this after I've been gone from it and off a few days.
I'm SO nervous -- like I'm afraid I will and have forgotten everything I've learned, that I'll get thrown into some new and terrifying situation.... I'm on the last legs of my orientation and I know they are expecting so much -- or it feels that way.
Yikes ..just can't shake it today. I even tried working out a bit to ease my nerves.
I guess all I can do is saddle up, get my sheets, sit down and take report -- then go from there. I always try at least to break it down to those first few steps: 1. Find assignment 2. Take report 3. Check charts. 4. Get VS and do assessments. But somehow there is alwyas something that throws it off. . .
Yikes. Deep breath.
Dang it -- what am I so afraid of??? I want to just slap myself out of it!!

I SO feel the SAME way. What the heck is it??? I had SO much apprehension about going into work yesterday. Once I settled in, though, I was great!

In my "12 months" posting, I mentioned something about the unpredictability getting to me. Once I'm settled in (esp. if I have "good" patients), though, I'm fine. Is it the same for you?

imanedrn · May 27, 2008

Oh you are not alone. I'm absolutely terrified that I have my whole existence relying on this gig that is sucking the life out of me and disallowing me to enjoy the days off inbetween due to fatigue achiness, or pure anxiety and need to do errands, chores, domestics...[/quote']
My days off are the exact same! People keep telling me to enjoy them, that that will help me when I have to go back. But I CAN'T enjoy them because I'm so exhausted, in pain, and anxious about when I DO go back!

Chloe'sinNYNow · May 27, 2008

My days off are the exact same! People keep telling me to enjoy them, that that will help me when I have to go back. But I CAN'T enjoy them because I'm so exhausted, in pain, and anxious about when I DO go back!

:yeahthat:

You got it Ranaazha. And no one to return home to. Just me. No SO or kidlings...

Gotta get a couple kitties soon!

Chloe

imanedrn · May 30, 2008

:yeahthat:
You got it Ranaazha. And no one to return home to. Just me. No SO or kidlings...
Gotta get a couple kitties soon!
Chloe

YES! I have 2 kittens who are almost 1 y.o. They are the best! I love being gone all day and coming home to them greeting me at the door. They can amuse themselves all day long (and we free-feed), but they miss you SO much at the end of the day! No one to bicker with, just sweet little kittens :yeah: