I'm thinking about going back on meds....

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

So, I've been working at a "temporary" covid testing site since mid March. I'm part of the ambulatory float pool (basically a fill-in nurse for the outpatient clinics) and when covid hit, all the clinics shut down in my area. This made our group the obvious choice to staff our testing sites for our companies.

The hours and days have slowly dwindled down to two or three per week and half days. The other half of the days, we leave the outdoor (and exceptionally hot) testing sites, eat lunch, change into scrubs and cover for the clinics too. While it's nice to have a change of scenery, the stress of making it to the clinics on time and feeling disgusting no matter how many baby wipes we use, is getting to me.

We aren't really getting any guidance on how long this will be going on because no one knows. We keep hearing we may open the sites back up full time if there is a Fall surge. We hear it's gonna be the end of the year before we close the sites, they're gonna stay open through flu season, etc.

I think my biggest stressor right now is the unknown. My husband was in the military and I'm no stranger to this feeling of limbo but it's always made me extremely anxious and I started meds during that time (eventually going off of them when he got out). I know that's got to be part of it.

The other part is of course just dealing with the pandemic as a human being. I'm having a lot of guilt any time I leave the house. We obviously mask but it doesn't change that guilty feeling of "you should be at home". Especially if we let the kids come out with us (very rare).

I know I'm all over the place but I just want to know. Is this a normal stress reaction to all of these emotions or should I seek out some help with a provider? If I'm home, I'm OK but as soon as I have to leave the anxiety hits and it's affecting me now.

TL;Dr: my anxiety has kicked back up, should I see a doc or is it a normal stress reaction?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I think it is definitely normal for the times we are in and your current situation AND I think it is very worthwhile to see a doc about it. It's normal for what you are going through; its normal to need help with what you are going through.

Take good care of yourself, friend.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Ditto. Do think about seeing a mental healthcare professional, even if what you're experiencing is "normal" considering the circumstances we find ourselves in these days. There's a reason you were on medication. It happens...nothing to be ashamed about;if you need it, let someone prescribe it for you. And therapy is always worth trying. Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in Telemetry, PCCN.

Hey I agree with the last couple of posts! And yes your concerns and feelings are valid! My anxiety has been extremely high lately and Im in the middle of it all (having to directly care for covid patients.) My co-workers have expressed the same! If your organization offers it, try making use of the employee assistance line as well.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.
On 7/29/2020 at 2:39 PM, Nurse SMS said:

I think it is definitely normal for the times we are in and your current situation AND I think it is very worthwhile to see a doc about it. It's normal for what you are going through; its normal to need help with what you are going through.

Take good care of yourself, friend.

Thank you so much. I guess everyone is feeling the pressure right now. I know there are a ton of nurses that have it way worse than I do but the struggle is real no matter where you're assigned. I think I'll at least make a video visit to speak with a doctor about all this. Thanks again!

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.
On 7/30/2020 at 3:12 AM, VivaLasViejas said:

Ditto. Do think about seeing a mental healthcare professional, even if what you're experiencing is "normal" considering the circumstances we find ourselves in these days. There's a reason you were on medication. It happens...nothing to be ashamed about;if you need it, let someone prescribe it for you. And therapy is always worth trying. Best of luck to you.

Thank you! I haven't had to be on meds in about 8 years but I'm also a new grad thrust into a pandemic on day one. It's very reassuring to know that I'm not the only one.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.
On 7/30/2020 at 5:28 PM, Nurse Fi said:

Hey I agree with the last couple of posts! And yes your concerns and feelings are valid! My anxiety has been extremely high lately and Im in the middle of it all (having to directly care for covid patients.) My co-workers have expressed the same! If your organization offers it, try making use of the employee assistance line as well.

Absolutely, I'm so sorry you're having the same feelings I am. It's a terrible place to be right now. I've called the employee mental health line one time in May when I realized that the "temporary" wasn't going to be so temporary and vented on my way home. It did help a lot at the time so I'm going to make use of it again. I hope you stay well ?.

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I have been taking meds for over a year and my symptoms were managed, I felt good. Since the first time working on a COVID unit, my symptoms came back and I've had to switch to a different medication. I'm no longer working a COVID unit full time, only when floated there. My stress and anxiety now comes from having to work too much. We now are made to work 4 shifts a week. I'm seeing sicker medical patients than I did prior to COVID and during the lockdown. Since the COVID pandemic started we were made to work OT every other week, which was somewhat okay, but 4 shifts a week is crazy. I and everyone else is tired of working so much. I am hopeful that it ends soon, but I cannot see the end. The money is nice, but not at the price of my mental health.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.
On 8/7/2020 at 6:36 PM, Katniss88 said:

I have been taking meds for over a year and my symptoms were managed, I felt good. Since the first time working on a COVID unit, my symptoms came back and I've had to switch to a different medication. I'm no longer working a COVID unit full time, only when floated there. My stress and anxiety now comes from having to work too much. We now are made to work 4 shifts a week. I'm seeing sicker medical patients than I did prior to COVID and during the lockdown. Since the COVID pandemic started we were made to work OT every other week, which was somewhat okay, but 4 shifts a week is crazy. I and everyone else is tired of working so much. I am hopeful that it ends soon, but I cannot see the end. The money is nice, but not at the price of my mental health.

I'm feeling those same pressures. I'm not in the same environment but working when you're exhausted and running on fumes is super difficult. I'm glad you were able to change to float for the COVID unit, we all have to learn our limits with this marathon. Keeping you in my thoughts! 

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