Is nursing right for me?

[Kbb0907]

Hello, I am taking my basics for a RN program. I really want to be a nurse, but I am a little hesitant because I suffer from anxiety and panic disorder. What if I am dealing with a life or death situation and I have a panic attack? I am currently on medication for the problem and it seems to be working, but I still have the fear that I might make a mistake that will seriously hurt someone? Any advice is welcome.

[indigonurse]

This is something you should discuss with your doctor.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Yeah, we've got a panicker in my class. She freaks over everything. Eventually, you'll become used to everything, and it won't bother you anymore. Some people (me for instance) have never been bothered by tragedy from the outset. We're probably worse off, lol.

All that said, nursing school isn't bad at all. People make it out to be a larger monster than it is. The worst part about it all is some of the dogma that comes along with it.

[havehope]

i agree with above post. but, if nurse is really right for you i'd go for it! you can be a nurse in a doctors office, i never hear of life or death situtations there...

good luck!

[lsvalliant]

I totally know what you mean and what your going through. I've had an anxiety disorder since I was 19 and have been a RN for two years. When I was in nursing school, I was the president of my class and graduated with the top grades. Everyone including my teachers thought I would be most likely to succeed and encouraged me to go into ICU. I got into a training program after working med surg for six months in PACU at a top hospital.. but as I was going through the program I noticed my fear of killing someone or not knowing what to do in an emergency situation was mounting and causing me debilitating panic attacks. I eventually quit before I finished the program and had to go into a less prestigious, less acute area of nursing. There are many areas in nursing which you will find out as you go through your program, some more stressful than others. There are so many options, thats why nursing is so great. I think if your controlled on meds you will be fine but personally I would shy away from any area that would trigger you to have more anxiety.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

i agree with above post. but, if nurse is really right for you i'd go for it! you can be a nurse in a doctors office, i never hear of life or death situtations there...

good luck!

seriously! my mother has been an administrator for an fp group for a while now, and she says when a patient does have some type of "episode" that the docs and lpns all stand around looking while they wait for an ambulance.

actually, that's not true. i don't think from hearing that she's ever actually mentioned a doctor looking on to a patient laying on the floor, lol. usually it's someone in the front office calls to the back, and a nurse comes out and stands over them, lol.

[Miller86]

I work with a lady who said she used to get anxiety attacks when patient's conditions deteriorated but over time she managed to get everything done appropriately.

Give it a try. You might overcome your anxiety once you build comfort. Besides there are so many different fields in nursing...well when job opportunities open up hopefully in the near future. When you start clinical's you will see what fits you best.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Perhaps you may wish to look into specialties that involve lower-acuity patients (office nursing, case management, occupational health, etc.).

[RN Zeke]

The door is wide open in the RN field for you to find many low stress jobs. Don't let this stand in your way of success. Of course with your DR's blessing...

[organichombre, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

Well for starters you could probably help others with the problem! I've worked wth all sorts of people who have had trouble with their nerves and one thing is always true...you they see it coming and got out of the way! Not once have I had to intervene with a nurse who supposedly had a panic or anxiety disorder. Nursing school will put enough pressure on you before you even get to a stressful job that you will know in plenty of time if you made the right choice! Go for it and don't look back!