I Don't Get the Anxiety Part of Nursing

[missmollie]

I see these posts where people complain of anxiety. Crying before work, crying during work, dreading going into the hospital.

I'm just thankful that I'm not the patient. I split my weeks into what I want to accomplish. One week, it was to ensure that I checked the orders every half an hour. The next week, it was that I's and O's were okay. Focusing on one item at a time allowed me some mastery over it. Granted, it was during my orientation, but I've built on that, and I don't look at work as something to be dreaded, but rather as an experience to get it all right. I'm at that point.

Nursing is overwhelming. Focus on what you can change at this time, and those tasks that have an immediate effect on your patient. Look at your weakness, and improve it. Work is a challenge, but it's one I'm prepared for. I finished nursing school, I passed the NCLEX. I'm not going to know everything, but I will get better as I go. Much like the dreaded care plans, have a plan for yourself.

Know the areas you need to focus on. Make a list. Get good at the things you occasionally miss. The most important things. When you have that down, go to the next item.

No one expects you to know it all. It's okay that you don't. Don't cry after every shift, because really, what is that accomplishing? Nothing. Have a plan. Become the nurse you want to be in small steps. That's okay.

[outside_child]

The original post has an incredibly patronizing and condescending tone. "Look at your weakness and improve it." Well, I never thought of THAT before.

I'm glad you don't suffer from anxiety. Good for you!

I do. I have panic attacks sometimes before work. I hate my job 75% of the time. I stare at the phone and will it to ring and tell me I have been cancelled. I hate talking to docs on the phone. Every time I have to page one, I have to talk myself into it.

I am not a new nurse, either.

I am overwhelmed and undersupported, like most people with anxiety.

I haven't always been this way. I have a metric butt ton of life stressors and I have run out of resilience and coping mechanisms.

And my patients have NO IDEA what I go through. It's none of their business, for one. For another, it's not their fault and it would be completely unprofessional and inappropriate to take it out on them. Management, on the other hand...

I Understood everything you said. I was like that to a point that I lost too much weight. Trying to catch up with all the demands of my work and not eating or drinking. That was how it was for me after working 18 years in everything except acute care; then got a job in acute care. I was thrown out there without enough training for my new acuity and scared trying to hide it. On top of that coworkers backstabbing you, not assisting, and stressed out family members. But hey I made it. Sometimes a little functional anxiety can keep you on your toes although it was very uncomfortable.

[outside_child]

Dear OP, I'm just D*** (all letters capital) glad that you had an immense luck to be able to concentrate on one thing a week and thus get some mastery over it.

You never had to work in place where there are people watching your every action under electronic microscope and not letting you concentrate on anything. People who knowingly sabotaged your job. People who bite behind your back at any moment. People who tell lies about you, slander, demean, shame. Trust me, with my level of organization and knowledge I never had any problems with mastering I/Os, orders and stuff. The people were those who made me crying before, after and during shifts.

Your post probably was put with good intentions but came out ridiculously ignorant. Count your blessings and remember that not everybody enjoy hothouse conditions allowing them to concentrate and develop skills. For most, it is sink or swim, and for a few, it is worse than that.

Amen to all what you said. Let us not forget how some people try to scapegoat you.

[CHESSIE]

I think nurse to patients ratios is THE ISSUE which has the most impact on nurse job satisfaction. What the suits don't realize is that their bottom line would improve in the long term with less turnover, fewer med errors, and higher patient satisfaction scores. Yes, short term they are paying more in salaries and benefits, but those would be regained down the line with the other pluses gained from giving nurses the ability to provide quality safe care.

It's so obvious, yet apparently so elusive to those with the power to change it.

I do not feel that the solution, better staffing, fewer patients per RN, better treatment of nurses, or being valued as an employee is elusive. It is just that hiring more nurses, increasing benefits, getting away from "earned time," and re-institute a certain number of vacation days, personal time, sick days, and giving new grads a six month to one year internship/orientation affects the bottom line of hospitals that would prefer to have more managerial types dictating "how nurses should be able to do more with fewer coworkers."

[StyleNurse, BSN, RN]

To the poster, I am glad that you are a very organized person and have the ability to cope with the plenty of stressors that come with being a nurse. With that being said, it cannot be expected that people are going to deal with anxiety and stress in the same manner. If I was working with you I would admire the way you can handle stressful situations and I would commend you for it but I cannot always relate to it. I've dealt with stressful home situations that would trickle into the workplace, med errors, mean co-workers, short staffing, bad codes, preventable mistakes, lack of necessary equipment for my job, mean family members, drug seeking patients, violent patients, angry MDs, patient deaths and their distraught families, etc. I still sometimes struggle with episodes of anxiety (I've come to realize that it is part of the job) but I still love being a nurse. To anyone who does sometimes struggle, ask questions, lose confidence, question their reasoning for becoming a nurse, feel overwhelmed, need a hand or advice, etc., I can relate. I support all nurses because I was new once, I am humbled by my profession, and now I love being the support for my colleagues. Instead of seeing those crying on the job as a nuisance, maybe take the opportunity to be empathetic.:)

[outside_child]

When someone needs to take anxiety medication to perform their job that is a red flag. Why should a job be so stressful that one needs to take medication to actually be able to do it? I am a person who has severe social anxiety and generalized anxiety. I dreaded going to work because of the time constraints and the responsibility of being a nurse. I have tried different SSRIs and even SNRIs to combat anxiety. Could never find one that did not have horrendous side effects so will never try another. I know many nurses who have to take anxiety medications to cope with their jobs. I think the system of nursing is broken if so many of us need anti anxiety medication to cope.

I love my patients and love to take care of people but the stress of nursing drove me away from the bedside. I have had to take time away m from being a nurse. I can only see myself working as a nurse one or two days a week at the most and working in another profession the rest of the week. It is a shame really because I enjoy patient care.

Good solution to that nursing anxiety and still keep up your skills. Nothing is worth stressing your well being.

[KyRN😉]

I think those are all good thoughts, and my intention isn't to come off as condescending. When I say that "I'm glad I'm not the patient", I mean I'm glad that I have the use of all four limbs, that I can express my needs through communication, and that I'm not in their position. I'm grateful that I have my health.

I just think that nursing can be overwhelming, and I felt the anxiety and fear of the responsibility we have for the first couple of months. I've worked through it in this way, and I thought it might be helpful. Don't get me wrong, I've shed my fair share of tears. However, breaking down the job into things I need to work on has really been helpful. It's much easier to focus on one aspect and master it than to focus on everything. I also pick up one extra shift a week in order to get the most exposure to my job.

The other thing I negated to mention and probably should have: Don't be afraid to go to your doctor and seek a medication alternative if everything else isn't working. I take an anti-anxiety medication. I needed it, or otherwise this job would've became all consuming.

6 months out, and I feel pretty comfortable. I have more good shifts than bad, and the bad shifts remind me of what I still need to work on.

Am I the only one who laughed reading THIS post and the original? Your being completely condescending and... Really ignorant. I'm not trying to be rude, but I can't think of how else to put it. You also sound like a new nurse. You'll find yourself in the same boat; just wait until you make your first catastrophic mistake, because you will. Most of us do. Also advising people on how to deal with their anxiety and to suggest medication, say what? Did you personally assess these people and get their medical history. I can't. STOP YOURSELF. Sorry if my post is offensive, but I'm taking the tone of both your posts and trying to inform you: No matter how you intended this, "helpful," post, you need an honest reaction, not a diplomatic/polite one as those clearly didn't sink in. Best of luck to you, though.

[edmst]

OP, how do you not get anxiety when you're actually taking medications yourself for it?

She/he has yet to "master" pharmacology...

[RestlessHeart]

I dont post much so please, be kind.

I just wanted to say a lil something here. My career was over before it started and I had to switch gears. I was "one of those patients".!! I swear by all I hold holy and dear to me I was becoming a professional patient. The kind of patient no nurse wants. There were a few years involved where I had as many as 10 surgeries in THAT year. I had a boat load of titanium, pins, plates and screws, shoulders to toes.

With that said....Had I encountered a Nurse like the OP...Id have chewed her up and spit her before her first shift with me ended. Proud of that? Me? Ohhhh hell no. Then I might have been but now Id have been horribly embarrassed. Maybe what she doesnt understand is that as a patient "we" sense the arrogance, and what comes across as a haughty (is that even a word anymore) attitude. It wouldnt go well....for at least one of us. Im not bragging, please believe that. Im just saying that I would have caught the "air about her" and hell wouldnt have had anything on me.

Ive known so many nurses over the years and I wouldnt let one of em nurse my cat. Still others Id take home with me....sweet, gentle, kind, caring, compassionate and two hundred percent PROFESSIONAL!! I KNOW you're out there and from the bottom of my busted up, tattered, broken, splattered heart and soul I love and respect everyone of ya. Even the not soo good ones in hopes they'll get better with enough respect and love from those they care for.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dont ever ever view your patients as "one of them"...or as "less than"....or as a "PIA". We sense it. Oft times we display it and dont mean to. We as patients are at our wits end, we're in pain or sick, we're scared spitless, we dont understand what is happening to us or our bodies. We arent "less than you". We know we're at your mercy, perhaps in several ways. We know you control everything we get / do while we're your patient. Please dont look down your nose at us, dont make us wait for our pain meds, or a trip to the bathroom or something to drink. We arent patient people when we're a patient (WOW that doesnt look right) Im dead serious, one extra minute of your time, a little extra smile, a little bit of "it's ok, I'll be right back"...or "Im swamped but I'll be back ASAP".

We know you're busy, we dont mean to bother you but we're scared and right now, in the moment YOU are our ENTIRE world. YOU control everything for us. Ask about a spouse, a kid, a grandkid etc. Listen to us if we seem to be in pain, even if only for a second. If you cant give us a pain med right now....just tell us it'll be a few minutes but I WILL be back. Things like that from a patients point of view will endear you to us and that in itself can make your shift easier.

Sounds like Im blowing smoke doesnt it? I dont mean it to and Im not even sure why Im posting other than to say an attitude like the OP displayed at the start struck me odd.

Stand strong ladies and gents...us "Patients" we DO love ya and what you do for us

[KyRN😉]

I dont post much so please, be kind.

I just wanted to say a lil something here. My career was over before it started and I had to switch gears. I was "one of those patients".!! I swear by all I hold holy and dear to me I was becoming a professional patient. The kind of patient no nurse wants. There were a few years involved where I had as many as 10 surgeries in THAT year. I had a boat load of titanium, pins, plates and screws, shoulders to toes.

With that said....Had I encountered a Nurse like the OP...Id have chewed her up and spit her before her first shift with me ended. Proud of that? Me? Ohhhh hell no. Then I might have been but now Id have been horribly embarrassed. Maybe what she doesnt understand is that as a patient "we" sense the arrogance, and what comes across as a haughty (is that even a word anymore) attitude. It wouldnt go well....for at least one of us. Im not bragging, please believe that. Im just saying that I would have caught the "air about her" and hell wouldnt have had anything on me.

Ive known so many nurses over the years and I wouldnt let one of em nurse my cat. Still others Id take home with me....sweet, gentle, kind, caring, compassionate and two hundred percent PROFESSIONAL!! I KNOW you're out there and from the bottom of my busted up, tattered, broken, splattered heart and soul I love and respect everyone of ya. Even the not soo good ones in hopes they'll get better with enough respect and love from those they care for.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dont ever ever view your patients as "one of them"...or as "less than"....or as a "PIA". We sense it. Oft times we display it and dont mean to. We as patients are at our wits end, we're in pain or sick, we're scared spitless, we dont understand what is happening to us or our bodies. We arent "less than you". We know we're at your mercy, perhaps in several ways. We know you control everything we get / do while we're your patient. Please dont look down your nose at us, dont make us wait for our pain meds, or a trip to the bathroom or something to drink. We arent patient people when we're a patient (WOW that doesnt look right) Im dead serious, one extra minute of your time, a little extra smile, a little bit of "it's ok, I'll be right back"...or "Im swamped but I'll be back ASAP".

We know you're busy, we dont mean to bother you but we're scared and right now, in the moment YOU are our ENTIRE world. YOU control everything for us. Ask about a spouse, a kid, a grandkid etc. Listen to us if we seem to be in pain, even if only for a second. If you cant give us a pain med right now....just tell us it'll be a few minutes but I WILL be back. Things like that from a patients point of view will endear you to us and that in itself can make your shift easier.

Sounds like Im blowing smoke doesnt it? I dont mean it to and Im not even sure why Im posting other than to say an attitude like the OP displayed at the start struck me odd.

Stand strong ladies and gents...us "Patients" we DO love ya and what you do for us

I loved this:)

[missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN]

I dont post much so please, be kind.

I just wanted to say a lil something here. My career was over before it started and I had to switch gears. I was "one of those patients".!! I swear by all I hold holy and dear to me I was becoming a professional patient. The kind of patient no nurse wants. There were a few years involved where I had as many as 10 surgeries in THAT year. I had a boat load of titanium, pins, plates and screws, shoulders to toes.

With that said....Had I encountered a Nurse like the OP...Id have chewed her up and spit her before her first shift with me ended. Proud of that? Me? Ohhhh hell no. Then I might have been but now Id have been horribly embarrassed. Maybe what she doesnt understand is that as a patient "we" sense the arrogance, and what comes across as a haughty (is that even a word anymore) attitude. It wouldnt go well....for at least one of us. Im not bragging, please believe that. Im just saying that I would have caught the "air about her" and hell wouldnt have had anything on me.

Ive known so many nurses over the years and I wouldnt let one of em nurse my cat. Still others Id take home with me....sweet, gentle, kind, caring, compassionate and two hundred percent PROFESSIONAL!! I KNOW you're out there and from the bottom of my busted up, tattered, broken, splattered heart and soul I love and respect everyone of ya. Even the not soo good ones in hopes they'll get better with enough respect and love from those they care for.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dont ever ever view your patients as "one of them"...or as "less than"....or as a "PIA". We sense it. Oft times we display it and dont mean to. We as patients are at our wits end, we're in pain or sick, we're scared spitless, we dont understand what is happening to us or our bodies. We arent "less than you". We know we're at your mercy, perhaps in several ways. We know you control everything we get / do while we're your patient. Please dont look down your nose at us, dont make us wait for our pain meds, or a trip to the bathroom or something to drink. We arent patient people when we're a patient (WOW that doesnt look right) Im dead serious, one extra minute of your time, a little extra smile, a little bit of "it's ok, I'll be right back"...or "Im swamped but I'll be back ASAP".

We know you're busy, we dont mean to bother you but we're scared and right now, in the moment YOU are our ENTIRE world. YOU control everything for us. Ask about a spouse, a kid, a grandkid etc. Listen to us if we seem to be in pain, even if only for a second. If you cant give us a pain med right now....just tell us it'll be a few minutes but I WILL be back. Things like that from a patients point of view will endear you to us and that in itself can make your shift easier.

Sounds like Im blowing smoke doesnt it? I dont mean it to and Im not even sure why Im posting other than to say an attitude like the OP displayed at the start struck me odd.

Stand strong ladies and gents...us "Patients" we DO love ya and what you do for us

That's lovely. I go to work for the simple fact that I get to spend time with a patient. I have held hands, taken time to explain medical procedures to them, personally made the cot up (complete with fluffed pillows and fresh linens, every single night) for the family member. I bring them coffee, drinks, and the patient and family are the very reason I don't find this job stressful or anxiety ridden.

I enjoy helping others. I've been in your shoes and I understand where you're coming from. No idea how you think not having anxiety is the equivalent of not caring about the patient. The patient is why I do the job without anxiety. It's not about me. It's about them. I'd love some direct quotes as to why you feel I don't care about the patient. Feel free to put them in quotes.

[KyRN😉]

That's lovely. I go to work for the simple fact that I get to spend time with a patient. I have held hands, taken time to explain medical procedures to them, personally made the cot up (complete with fluffed pillows and fresh linens, every single night) for the family member. I bring them coffee, drinks, and the patient and family are the very reason I don't find this job stressful or anxiety ridden.

I enjoy helping others. I've been in your shoes and I understand where you're coming from. No idea how you think not having anxiety is the equivalent of not caring about the patient. The patient is why I do the job without anxiety. It's not about me. It's about them. I'd love some direct quotes as to why you feel I don't care about the patient. Feel free to put them in quotes.

Hmmm.... Because your super condescending? That's probably why;) oh wait, so are you meaning to say that your out of orientation now and doing, "the job?" Just wondering

[Ericah36]

This is a great reply and I agree 100%! I am a new nurse and I started in an ER. I have cried four times in two months. It's stressful, crying actually is a physiological stress release! You release stress chemicals and hormones in the emotional type tears! There are studies of different types of tears, those from emotional triggered tears, to physical pain, and eye irritation etc. and it's been shown that the other types of tears do not contain these components. And I also felt this post sounded condicending! I feel that being a new nurse is stressful and overwhelming and esp in the ER! And if others do not good for them! But don't tell someone crying doesn't help! Sometimes you can't help but cry!