Help me, I'm a new nurse with anxiety/depression.

Nurses Stress 101

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Hi, I'm a new nurse who left my first job in ICU after agonizing 6months. I got a job in Med/Surg 5months later. Although I graduated from nursing school over 1yr ago, I only have 8 months nursing experience. I'm experiencing anxiety everytime when I think of work. It usually start the night before (I work night shifts) and escalate just before leaving to work. My heart starts palpate and I become tearfull. I'm a single mom so I leave my child w/ my friend. Everynight when I'm leaving to work, I feel so sad to take him to my friend's house. Although my supervisor tells me she heard some good things about me, I still feel so inadequate and make mistakes. I get stressed out if I can't finish all the task within the first 2-3hrs before pts go to sleep. I start taking antidepressant 2wks ago and see counseling every 2wks. I have no interest to anything anymore, I isolate myself more and more. I feel like falling apart. I like my patients and have good relationship with them, but I feel inadequate comes to skills, paperworks, and some physicians orders. Help me... I don't want to feel so sad and fearful about my job.

Well, your'e not alone. I had to go on zoloft right at the start of nursing school, and unbelievably, I was able to wean off of it before becoming a nurse -- but I definitely have high moments of anxiety and wish i was back on it. I also was taking Lunesta for a long time while doing nights because I'd come home so spun up and stressed. Now I'm more into natural herbals to get to sleep.

I agree w/ everyone not to divulge this to anyone at work. It's none of their business. It's your health issue.

AD's take at least 6 weeks to really start kicking in. Until then, take it easy on yourself, get plenty of rest, use lots of good positive self talk -- go to movies, whatever. get your mind off of it. Take part in some pleasurable activities to get those endorphins going -- exercise, whatever. Eat well, Take good care of YOU.

Your'e doing a lot -- working in a tough profession w/ a small child. It's very tough. But your'e going in the right direction by getting help and seeing a counselor. Those are all the right things!!!!:yeah: So, you're doing the right thing w/ your health, and you're probably also doing all of the right things at work. Try not to be your own worst enemy. I know how it is because I am always my own also. :uhoh3:

Remember, you're a new nurse. NO ONE expects you to be proficient at this point. Some preceptor or manager or another nurse on the staff might occasionally harrass you and haggle w/ you over things, but in their own way, they're just trying to teach you and make you a safe nurse. Don't take any criticisms or corrections personally. Just say, "Oh, ok, thanks for that. I'm glad you took the time to teach me -- thanks again."

As long as you are working hard and putting forth a good faith effort -- that is enough. I see you started in an ICU which can be traumatizing. I did that also and for me, also, it was the wrong move. Just put way too much fear into me. I went to a floor and did much better and now am ready to go back to an ICU after 2 years.

You're doing great, girl -- you are courageous!!! You are a great mom! You're gonna be a fantastic nurse!!!!!:yeah::nurse: Never happens overnight ... :smokin:

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I'm graduating in two months as an RN, but I've been working as an LPN for the last four months. It was stressful when I first started on the med/surge floor during my Christmas break, it was even harder when classes started. I remained focused on strengthening my weaknesses and kept in mind that no one expected me to perform like a seasoned nurse. I would not allow anyone (especially myself) to put that pressure on me. I'm supposed to be slower and ask a lot of "random" questions, I'm an entry nurse. There are some very good suggestions on these blogs, I suggest implementing them but I also want to add...

My daughter moved to NYC a couple of years ago and she was drowning in her new corporate job, same sings and symptoms that your reported. My advice to her, "Manage your stress or your stress will manage you." I asked what was her favorite thing to do, running was one of them, reading was another. The best thing you can do to get your mind more productive is to give it a rest from thinking about work. This sounds so cliche but, take time to exercise it will truly make you feel better, you'll sleep better because you earned it after a long workout/walk/swim/tennis game... You seem to know when you worry most, fill that time with stuff you love, read to your child, take a "wonder walk" child, color with your child, just spend time with your child be the best parent possible, that's the most important thing in your life (its mine). Know that if you had the drive to pass nursing school, you have the same drive to conquer your anxiety and stress. Once you do that you (I promise) will have an easier time becoming a proficient nurse.

Let me know how it goes!!! I believe in you!!!! :hrnsmlys:

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It sounds to me like you are really struggling with your mental disorders. Also, the time you are missing with your child, sounds sad. I just want you to remember that once time passes, you can't go back. Always take care of yourself and your child first. Anything can happen at a job but the relationship you build and have with your child and yourself will be forever. Thats what most important. Life and time are precious and so many people forget that and get caught up in the rush, worry and things that ultimately don't matter. Years pass and its like where did time go?

I hope you find some peace and do what is best for you. Good luck

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Thank you so much for all your replies. I want you to know all of you helped me a lot, you have no idea how relief I felt that I was not the only one who was having this emotion. I take all your advices and going to work tonight. I feel like I have you behind of me when I'm working tonight (just like Verizon's CM). Thank you, thank you, thank you again. Big hugs to each one of you.

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That is good that you are receiving help. Sounds like a lot of good advice on this site too!

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Specializes in NICU, Peds, Med-Surg.

I can't add anything because everyone else said it all, but just wanted to say I'm glad you posted that you felt much better, and remember---you are NEVER alone!!!

(((hugs!))) :redbeathe

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probably not helpful, but if you are feeling this way, perhaps youre not at the right job?

it takes awhile to find that "fit". took me ten years and even then sometimes i still wonder.

almost gave it up but i didnt.

leaving your child is especially hard. i did that too.

things WILL get better.

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Specializes in ortho, school nursing.

thank you yng65 for sharing this. just did a search on anxiety and was looking for a topic like this b/c this is SO similar to my current situation... i just graduated from an lpn-rn mobility program and i have extreme work anxiety, but i love nursing and pray to do well... i'll keep you in my prayers as well, i see that you had this problem a few months ago, i hope things have improved since then... God bless you!!

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I started out in nursing decades ago as a vocational nurse and went on to get my RN in 1987. I've got to say I still don't understand that a new RN would want to enter the field of nursing in one of the critical care areas especially a unit like Peds ICU! Most hospitals I worked in wanted their unit nurses to have a solid year or more of med-surg before working in any of the units and I believe this is a good practice regardless of how bright or smart a new RN may be...there's just so much to learn and know and it takes time. Another point I'd like to make is so many nurses are terribly unsupportive towards new nurses...any new nurse! It's a shame because you don't typically see that trait in nurses who come over from the Philippines...the Filipinos are generally very supportive to each other..kind.

I think you took the right step by going to Med-Surg...plus working with children can be really tough. We all know how hard it can be seeing children suffering and the limits of our profession to help them...plus missing your own young child and dealing with critically ill children of the same age could be making your anxiety even worse. Nursing is a very tough field. I hope it works for you but don't forget, there are many other settings in which nurses can work...you might want to explore at least the idea of a different setting other than acute patient care. I know this advise comes a little late...but maybe it will help another if not you! Take care...I wish all the best for you in a career that can be extremely tough on us!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I started out in nursing decades ago as a vocational nurse and went on to get my RN in 1987. I've got to say I still don't understand that a new RN would want to enter the field of nursing in one of the critical care areas especially a unit like Peds ICU! Most hospitals I worked in wanted their unit nurses to have a solid year or more of med-surg before working in any of the units and I believe this is a good practice regardless of how bright or smart a new RN may be...there's just so much to learn and know and it takes time. Another point I'd like to make is so many nurses are terribly unsupportive towards new nurses...any new nurse! It's a shame because you don't typically see that trait in nurses who come over from the Philippines...the Filipinos are generally very supportive to each other..kind.

I think you took the right step by going to Med-Surg...plus working with children can be really tough. We all know how hard it can be seeing children suffering and the limits of our profession to help them...plus missing your own young child and dealing with critically ill children of the same age could be making your anxiety even worse. Nursing is a very tough field. I hope it works for you but don't forget, there are many other settings in which nurses can work...you might want to explore at least the idea of a different setting other than acute patient care. I know this advise comes a little late...but maybe it will help another if not you! Take care...I wish all the best for you in a career that can be extremely tough on us!

You understand that this thread is over 6 years old? I doubt that OP is still around to receive your advice.

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You understand that this thread is over 6 years old? I doubt that OP is still around to receive your advice.

Yes, 6 years and nothing has changed.

It's still amazing how many people will go to a doctor and tell them I am depressed or life isn't fair and they will get prescribed drugs to take. If you have a problem and money or insurance the medical community has a pill for that.

Working out and/or daily exercise regiment will do wonders for people whom are depressed...

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