How do you cope with anxiety?

[WhyMEok]

I'm a new grad RN on month 3 on a med/surg floor. People tell me I'm doing a good job and that I'm "where I'm supposed to be," but I've been struggling with anxiety. The worst is the night before a day shift or the afternoon before coming into night shift. I worry about a lot of things, what will happen to me during the shift? what will my coworkers do to me or think about me?, etc. When I'm on the floor things are so busy that sometimes I can't even think about being anxious, but it always feels like a race against the clock when I'm on the floor, which feels unsettling. So, my question is, what things do you do to cope with fear and anxiety in relation to your job? Thanks in advance for replies.

[Tree5981, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Oh boy....I can relate to everything you just said! I too have been feeling this way every night before I go to work. I am no expert but what I have been doing are the following:

Exercising after work

Listening to classical music to help me fall asleep

Having an occasional beer or cocktail to help calm me down a little before bed.

Talking to my boyfriend and venting.

Watching favorite TV shows to distract me from thinking about it.

Lastly, I have to constantly tell myself to just go with the flow and do the best I can. I am a worry wart and am very critical of myself. I find that later on I realized I learned from my mistakes and a lot of times it makes me laugh at some of the stupid things I have done.

I'm not sure what kind of hobbies you are into, but I think that it helps to do things that will get your mind off of work. Even just calling friends and talking for 30 min or so about nothing I think helps get your mind off of things.

And I must admit, I do have days where I get so overwhelmed it makes me break down and cry just from the stress and constant worry. But we are only human. Just know you are not alone. I think a lot of us new nurses are freaking out right now

[CheesePotato, BSN, RN]

Mmmm...anxiety and worry--two of the most powerful things in the world, aren't they? Able to halt sleep in its tracks and make even the most powerful individuals catatonically rock in a corner whilst clutching their ear and sucking their thumb.

But fear not, there is hope.

From the information you have supplied, it sounds to me like you got a case of the "gettin' goin' jitters"--a little known malady that enjoys nibbling on the brains and minds of new nurses. Sadly, this naughty pathogen takes time to run its course and fades slowly as the body stores up helpful reserves of experience, time, "teachable moments", and vitamin C.

So what to do in the meanwhile?

Well, one of the most helpful things is exactly what you are doing here: Talk it out.

Mentorship is something that can help facilitate a development of coping strategies, not to mention provide generalized support via the ever useful listening ear. I have found that it is not enough to merely vent to someone who has no bloody idea what I'm talking about/doing/dealing with on a day to day basis. I need someone that knows.

Is there an experienced nurse at your work around whom (Is that proper? Where is my grammar fairy when I need her?!) you feel comfortable? If so, strike up a dialogue with her/him--maybe figure out a day to take lunch together or better yet, get together for margaritas and chips n' salsa. He/She may be able to offer you insight into ways to deal with various doctors, situations, personal organization, etc. and in the meanwhile, you have gained a valuable ally.

As far as your worries about will happen during your shift...repeat after me:

I am not alone.

I am not alone.

I am not alone.

Great! Now click your heels together three times.

Still there? Not in Oz or Kansas or Sea World, are you? No? Good. Because that would be just weird.

Anyhoo, the point that I am trying to make is that many of us tend to forget, in our control freak, type-A, No-really-trust-me-I-got-this way that we are, in fact, part of a care team.

Now I am well aware that it is not all sunshine, rainbows, and frolicking unicorns. I know there are some nurses out there that suffer from chronic emotional constipation and will refuse to help because they enjoy the over wrought looks of new nurses earning their stripes.

But I do know that there are other nurses who will help you if you need it. All you have to do is ask. Just bear in mind to have done your share: research completed, possible interventions attempted, etc etc. As I like to say, "I have no problem lending a hand up the mountain, but I will not carry you."

So what will happen will happen. What will come will come. You cannot change it. You cannot alter it. Worrying about it does not make it go away.

Just remember that when it hits the fan, if you need someone to help you duck, just look around. You are not alone.

Re: what coworkers think and what they say:

Let them talk. Let them ponder. To hell with it.

You just be you--the genuine, wonderful, intelligent person you are. Always bring your A game, no matter what that is, not for them--but for you--so at the end of the day you can walk away knowing that no matter what, it was the best you could do in the moment you were in. And that will just have to be enough.

And my dear, there is never hours in a day. However, the rushed feeling will fade as the experience and organizational skills improve. This I promise you.

So you ask what will help curb the anxiety? What did you do when you were in nursing school? What did you enjoy that acted as a suitable distraction then?

Think back to what works for you in the ways of unwinding. Experiment with a variety of things and you'll quickly fall into a routine that works.

Personally, after a day from hell I find myself sitting in my car in the parking lot or even in my garage at home listening to a gorgeous version of Claire de Lune played on harp while sipping a cold Diet Sunkist.

It's either that....or go punch a sea mollusk.

And suddenly, all is right in my world.

[karamarie91]

Very inspiring, CheesePotato.

[ixchel]

CheesePotato. I love you. Not in an "I admire you because you are wise" way, but in a totally inappropriate way that leaves you filled with the heebeejeebees when I leave the room. Get a restraining order now. You'll thank me for it later.

And I do believe that was the proper usage of "whom".

I need to bookmark this thread. OP I am positive I will be feeling the same things you are going through when I get there. Stay strong! I do think time will be the ultimate cure. I had a job ages ago that was fast paced, demanding, and left me wondering what the hell I was thinking getting into it in the first place. After I'd been there 6 months, I could have done it with my eyes shut and had the confidence to know I was awesome. It just took time and practice. You'll get this!