Managing nursing anxiety

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 8, 2006

i'm not yet a nurse but studying to become one. from reading threads on this board though, i wonder how you all manage nursing anxiety. if i were a nurse i'd be suffering terrible anxiety, trying to get everything done right and on time, deal with everyone else's moods while keeping my own mood in check, always living under threat of criticism/censure, not having much margin for error because small mistakes can be deadly. i'm starting to seriously wonder if i should even consider being a nurse.

first off, newbies in any field have anxiety to manage; it's not just nursing. you come out of school and (if you're smart, anyway) discover that you know so much less than you thought you did! you have to learn your job, how to interact with co-workers, superiors, supervisees, and customers. it's just part of being new anywhere.

second, despite what you read here about "nurses eating their young," i've rarely seen it. a good many reports of "young being eaten" come from newbies who for one reason or another, just got off on the wrong foot where they work, or newbies who need not to take everything personally. not that there aren't cranky nurses around (just like cranky teachers, engineers and even cranky priests who lack the milk of human kindness) -- but it's pretty hard to teach a new graduate of any profession who is convinced they already know everything there is to know.

as far as managing anxiety -- take good care of yourself. have a good support system outside of work, have a positive way to relax and remove yourself from work. i used to walk my dogs for an hour after work while my mind went over the shift again and again and finally let it go. you may find reading, hot baths, tv or knitting does for you. and at work, listen. soak up knowlege like a sponge. ask questions and write down the answers (or whatever helps you remember.) and never ever act like you know it all, because believe me you don't. no one does. after 28 years in the field, i'm still learning every day!

good luck!

newnurse05 · Feb 8, 2006

I have now been a new nurse for 5 months. Yes, anxiety does come with the job. When I first started I was anxious about pretty much everything, but now it has gotten a whole lot better. Dealing with the anxiety is part of the learning process. I feel like the anxiety has made it safer because I am constantly rechecking myself to make sure that I am providing the best care to my patients. I have learned what to take as serious and what to take as someone having a bad day or just being a jerk. It is not all bad. Just leave work at work. All new jobs have some sort of stress. After I get off work I go work out or do something that is relaxing. Call your fellow newbies for advice if you absolutely feel worn down. (They will know exactly how you feel)

I am loving what I am doing. I work on an oncology floor with 8-10 pts a night. Just find your area of interest and work hard to learn how to provide the best care.