I'm scheduled to start nursing school in the fall. This will be a second career for me - I'm 40 and recently divorced. I've always been a bit of a worrier/stresser, but the events leading up to and during the divorce brought out a new side in me - I had some panic attacks. I haven't had one in quite awhile, but dealing with the divorce fallout/being a single mom now - well, I'd say I'm more prone to anxiety than I used to be, and I'm not sure when or if that will go away. That being the case, I know starting out in Med Surg or ICU, for example, won't be optimal for me or the patients. I see posts on here about the first year being so hard/nurses feeling so lost and going home crying after their shifts, and I don't want to set myself up for failure, or risk falling to pieces.
I'm a hard worker, and enjoy being busy, but I don't want to feel constantly on the edge/out of control. Can anyone recommend some areas that might be good to start out in, where I can build some skills and confidence in a bit less hectic environment?
I'm scheduled to start nursing school in the fall. This will be a second career for me - I'm 40 and recently divorced. I've always been a bit of a worrier/stresser, but the events leading up to and during the divorce brought out a new side in me - I had some panic attacks. I haven't had one in quite awhile, but dealing with the divorce fallout/being a single mom now - well, I'd say I'm more prone to anxiety than I used to be, and I'm not sure when or if that will go away. That being the case, I know starting out in Med Surg or ICU, for example, won't be optimal for me or the patients. I see posts on here about the first year being so hard/nurses feeling so lost and going home crying after their shifts, and I don't want to set myself up for failure, or risk falling to pieces.
I'm a hard worker, and enjoy being busy, but I don't want to feel constantly on the edge/out of control. Can anyone recommend some areas that might be good to start out in, where I can build some skills and confidence in a bit less hectic environment?
Thanks for your insight. :)
There's probably better opportunities in other medical fields that won't affect you as adversely as nursing. I'd think about it very carefully before exposing yourself to this kind of stress. Another poster said it well - there are no areas of nursing that are not stressful (as least that would be available to a new grad). If you're already anxious and having panic attacks, I'd talk this over with a therapist before committing time your valuable time and money to something that might not be a good fit for you. Good luck in your life.
Slow down a sec. You've had panic attacks and you haven't even started working yet, right? Do yourself a favor and see someone. Get yourself squared away before putting yourself into a situation that could potentially jack your stress up to levels that are unsafe for your patients.
Now, I'm not going to go with everyone else and say nursing is stressful in and of itself. I find my responses stressed at times, yes. But that's something I just have to work out on my own. I know I can do this because some nights I have more stressors than usual, but I don't feel stressed.
Lately I've been able to go through entire 12-hour shifts at max pt load without feeling stressed out. But I certainly don't go into a shift pre-stressed and ready to freak. I couldn't do that. I might have things on my mind when I get in the car to go to work, but I don't when I get there.
I know exactly how you feel. I am 41, a single mom with kids, recently divorced. I am highly prone to anxiety and panic attacks. Being a recently grad, I felt panic stricken in clinicals throughout school and felt like my area would most likely not be floor nursing. I still don't know what my niche is. I graduated in May and work at a clinic right now. It is very less stress but I don't really use any skills. I am considering an ICU internship where you can concentrate on two patients thoroughly. I know ICU is extremely stressful but I think I would be able to handle that kind of stress over handling 8 patients on a med-surg floor.. good luck to you!
I am an extremely anxious person. Nursing school clinicals were nearly the death of me. I have been working on a med surge type floor for 16 months. The first year was really stressful. I cried a lot to relieve the stress. It was not due to the patients but to the being pulled in 50 directions all at once. Plus when you are new everything takes longer. I no longer feel so "crazed". I tell myself that I am doing the best I can for my patients and everything will get done eventually. The stress comes from trying to get out on time now.
I like my job and my patients. I never thought I would be able to handle working in a hospital because of my anxiety. My skills still are not great. I stink at inserting Ivs and foleys but I have a lot of other great qualities that I bring to the table. I say give it a try. You never know you may end up really liking it. The other good part about floor nursing is that you are never alone. If something comes up that you are not sure of you can always grab your charge nurse or another more experienced nurse. I do this a lot. Floor nursing constantly challenges you and that can be a really positive thing.
Specializes in Peds, PACU, ICU, ER, OB, MED-Surg,.
Unfortunately stress comes with the job. I don't think the stress is better or worse any where in nursing it is just different for the different area's. Work hard during your clinicals, see and do everything that you have an opportunity to during this monitored time. If a nurse offers to teach you something, take advantage. The more you see and experience the better you can start to handle the stress. Get your hands dirty, so to speak, during your clinicals. I love students that want to learn.
There's no specific field you can go in to and expect to never feel lost. That's part of life when you start ANY new career, be in as a librarian or a brain surgeon or a cashier. There's going to be a learning curve. That is how you gain experience.
There are, however, good units to start on. I started in what is an extremely difficult and stressful specialty right after graduating. However, the unit had a healthy atmosphere where "young" weren't eaten, but rather guided through constructive criticism. I had a long orientation, and after that, received lighter assignments for a bit. I had an open invitation from several experienced staff members to ask for help whenever I need it- one I still take advantage of. If I don't know something, we're provided with online references and in-person educators. That is what you need as a new grad.
I do think you're counting your chickens before they hatch a bit, though. You still have school to get through, which will be stressful in and of itself.
You could do what I did..... I started in the ER which was crazy insane. I cried everyday on my way home from work, threw up on my way to work, lost 15 pounds in 4 months. It was horrible!!!! Then I moved to med-surg and so far its a piece of cake. When the other nurses are running around stressed out because they consider it a hectic day I am like REALLY? Their hectic seems calm to me. Its not even close to half a horrible on their busiest day.
OP, I wouldn't worry yet about where you should work after you graduate... You are going to face plenty of stress just getting through school. Between reading 10 chapters, studying last week's 10 chapters for this week's test, a 1000 word research paper with refferences, 2 care plans, ATI test every other week, and clinicals, you will learn time management.
Not trying to scare you, but that is a typical week in our program. If you are prone to stress and anxiety, I would suggest you address those issues before you start. I also started late in my thirties, and worried if this was a good decision. While it is stressful, I don't regret it one bit. Make sure you have a good support structure, and a release from stress (music, movies, art, something..). Don't let the small things stress you out.
WhiteScrubs
63 Posts
What about working in a clinic? Never done it, but my perception is it's lower stress... anyone have experience there?