About Me: I'm a 32 yo male RN, a hard working RN just like the rest of us here!
My story: I have been a great and safe RN for the last 2 years and I work in a PCU department. But my anxiety level from a scale of 0-10 is somewhere between 7-8 which occurs the day I'm scheduled to work, the time before I go to work, when I get to work, and while I'm working. I probably feel my anxiety level going up aybe because our patients' acuity are high. (BTW let me include the heart palpitations and I think I'm sacrificing my health). In addition, I'm tired mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Anyways, my anxiety has been high from the moment I became an RN. To make the long story short, here comes the opportunity knocking on my door to transfer to a lesser acute unit which is a 24 hour observation unit minus the vents and CABGs.
My Question: is should I switch over to a lesser level of "Stress" or should I stick with my unit to gain more experience? Just an FYI, I do plan in getting my BSN and I'm thinking the 24 hr unit observation would somehow alleviate the, again, stress, thus I'll be able to focus on my studies.
Basing upon your experiences: What would you recommend? Would advice me to go to a lesser level of care. I don't think one would lose his or her skills right? Because that's the only reason why I'm having second thoughts. Please share your thoughts. Thanks!
Sorry, I did not actually give my input on your questions. Anyways, I would suggest transferring to a less stressful environment so you can focus on your studies. But, definately work some shifts in the PCU so at least you can say on an application you have been pulling shifts in the PCU if you decide you want to work in a same level of care unit later or transfer back to CCU. You probably should keep that door open.
I was out of the ICU setting for some time and I do think that some of the critical care skills have have taken a back seat in my brain.
Specializes in Psych, Derm,Eye,Ortho,Prison,Surg,Med,.
Move to a unit that is less stressful. Purchase a book, or on Internet, that describes on how to destress. In addition, you may want to further your education and perform supervisory work.
Heart palpatations? I can definitely relate to that, dude!
I started fresh out of school on a very busy cardiac unit with high acuity patients. I had externed on the floor during my last year of nursing school and thought the transition would be simple. HELL NO. I would frequently feel my pulse pounding, slip on a pulse ox machine and discovered that I would frequently have a pulse in the 120's or 130's. Resting pulse at home would be 70's, maybe low 80's. One of the docs had me wear one of the telemetry monitors on a shift. Nothing like looking at the monitors, on a cardiac floor full of very sick cardiac patients, and have your rate be the highest on the floor. My colleagues were threatening to spike my coffee with Cardizem.
About 6 months in, I started to be less freaked out, more focused and more confident. I started to work out before I went to work, instead of focusing on what life and death scenario I might face that night. I limited my coffee to one cup a shift. Now, a year later my heart rate might hit 100 on a bad night.
Some things to think about:
1) What is your heart rate when away from work? You should check it. If it's tachy you should see your PCP or a cardiologist and get an exercise stress test to make sure you're not having any ST segment changes with that tachycardia.
2) Limit caffiene
3) Take ten minutes to find a quiet place and completely disengage from work. I know some shifts that is hard to do, but it's easier to do than you think.
4) Consider shifting to another unit if you think that will help, but take a good look at what is causing the stress and see if there aren't some alternatives before committing to a change.
I just want to throw into the mix a little factoid I have witnessed:
I understand, things are different from one hospital to the next. At one place.............ICU should be avoided if possible. Down the road..........don't dare apply for the ortho unit. With that said: I've never seen or heard of a well run, low stress Observation unit. Tough, tough, tough unit and I know it even though I'm on the M/S unit. You can start with, oh.....five patients, two of which have legit. concerns that are cardiac related............discharge the other three that don't..........get three admits and have to transfer the other two out by the end of your shift.
Nursing is rough. I can go on and on about what it takes to survive long term. For me, the more right my personal life, the less power nursing stress has over me (sleeping right, eating right, doing things other than just watching TV all day on days off, making progress towards personal goals). That seems to be how it goes for me anyway.
I am also! look for a less stressful position, or get out! since I have left, I have not had a sick day, feels great
Nursing has not changed since I left, if nothing else, its gotten worse. Bad managers, cut backs. if you have emotional or physical symptoms..your body is telling you to get out! obey it.
Sorry, I did not actually give my input on your questions. Anyways, I would suggest transferring to a less stressful environment so you can focus on your studies. But, definately work some shifts in the PCU so at least you can say on an application you have been pulling shifts in the PCU if you decide you want to work in a same level of care unit later or transfer back to CCU. You probably should keep that door open.
I was out of the ICU setting for some time and I do think that some of the critical care skills have have taken a back seat in my brain.
About Me: I'm a 32 yo male RN, a hard working RN just like the rest of us here!
My story: I have been a great and safe RN for the last 2 years and I work in a PCU department. But my anxiety level from a scale of 0-10 is somewhere between 7-8 which occurs the day I'm scheduled to work, the time before I go to work, when I get to work, and while I'm working. I probably feel my anxiety level going up aybe because our patients' acuity are high. (BTW let me include the heart palpitations and I think I'm sacrificing my health). In addition, I'm tired mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Anyways, my anxiety has been high from the moment I became an RN. To make the long story short, here comes the opportunity knocking on my door to transfer to a lesser acute unit which is a 24 hour observation unit minus the vents and CABGs.
My Question: is should I switch over to a lesser level of "Stress" or should I stick with my unit to gain more experience? Just an FYI, I do plan in getting my BSN and I'm thinking the 24 hr unit observation would somehow alleviate the, again, stress, thus I'll be able to focus on my studies.
Basing upon your experiences: What would you recommend? Would advice me to go to a lesser level of care. I don't think one would lose his or her skills right? Because that's the only reason why I'm having second thoughts. Please share your thoughts. Thanks!
1. you must first take care of yourself.
I am writing this 'just in case' some other person needs the info, as it is late in the game now.
only YOU can answer the question, of course, but 'venting' is part of this decision-making/coping process, and congrats on asking the question publicly from ur peers.
you would need to weigh all factors equal.
if you CAN tolerate the stress, as someone else pointed out, first make sure it IS less stressful at the new location, and second, you indeed may want to keep ur foot in the door of the pcu to keep the experience fresh for maximum 'resale' in the even u need another job.
2. make sure you dont have an underlaying, biological anxiety disorder. seek the advice of professionals, whether that be a researched clinical psychologist or psychiatrist (one who uses psychodynamic, perhaps, true therapy and adjunctive meds)
3. I am not giving medical advice, but i once came across an individual who had a similar experience. The practitioner first prescribed 5mg of inderal, and later 10mg, to be taken right before work. Apparently this is now banned in the olympics and competitons (like for violinists and archers) because it indeed blocks the sympathetic outflow, providing a 'steady hand' as the song goes. This person had considerable alleviation of symptoms after taking the 10mg of inderal, 3times a week, prn, prior to work.
In your case, it probably is not the solution, and u should seek professional attention to rule out underlaying biological contributing factors prior to being satisfied with your decision.
oh, i forgot to mention that many public speakers take 10mg prior to giving their speaches..........seems to do the trick for them--just takes the edge off.
take care of yourself, and only then can you properly take care of others.
be well.
remember to stay balanced, and congratulations on self-diagnosis and 'seeking' answers
and I think I'm sacrificing my health). In addition, I'm tired mentally, physically, and emotionally.
MollNick
64 Posts
Sorry, I did not actually give my input on your questions. Anyways, I would suggest transferring to a less stressful environment so you can focus on your studies. But, definately work some shifts in the PCU so at least you can say on an application you have been pulling shifts in the PCU if you decide you want to work in a same level of care unit later or transfer back to CCU. You probably should keep that door open.
I was out of the ICU setting for some time and I do think that some of the critical care skills have have taken a back seat in my brain.