Need some advice

[anb752]

After working 3 years in LTC, I finally got a job in a hospital. I moved away from home with the plan to just get my year of experience and then apply at hospitals back home. I figured it would be a little rough, but not this bad. My confidence is barely there, and I now cry and the drop of a hat. It seems like I'm crying almost every day, and I hate how that makes me feel and look. I try the deep breathing and try to walk away from situations, but nothing seems to work! Everyone says I'm doing fine and I'm a good nurse, but I just need some better ideas to stop crying. It can start with little things like someone explaining something I forgot to do, or just things I'm perceiving that I'm not doing well enough, when everyone says its good. I logically know that there is no reason to cry, but I can't stop. It doesn't help that we have a catty aide that complains about everything and has snide comments, but I need to deal with that too. I've been told things aren't as crazy on other floors, and also that they are, so I'm worried that I can't do floor nursing, (which is what I've always thought I wanted). I never used to be like this, and have even briefly considered anti-anxiety meds. Any good advice? I'm tired of hearing "get a thicker skin"; I hate crying and want a thicker skin, but its easier said then done.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Sounds like you're depressed. You've graduated from school and your school friends have scattered. You've moved away from home, and presumably from your family and support system. You've started a brand new job and a brand new career and your support system is far away. See a counselor. They can give you some coping strategies that make things seem more managable. And anti-depressants may help. I've had colleagues that benefitted greatly from them, but I don't know anything about your individual situation.

The first year of nursing is rough. You go from being a student to being a responsible nurse, and there is SO much more to learn than you'd ever thought possible. It could be that you're suffering from "new nurse-itis", as well as from losing your support system. It's a lot to deal with all at once.

[iluvgusgus]

Are you taking any new medications? I was pregnant most of my first yr of nursing and I didnt cry once, which surprised me.Then I went back on "the patch" ortho evra, and within a week I was angry over everything and felt like crying all the time. I realized this may have been the reason I would get angry so easily in the past and so I stopped wearing it and I have been even-keeled ever since. Also, you may feel like you are not doing a good job everyday, but the truth is, as long as you didnt kill anyone, you did a fantastic job! As they say, " Keep them alive til 7 o' five". Unfortunately, we dont get a lot of pats on the back and I stopped expecting them. It is nice to once in awhile have a pt tell me that I did a good job. Before you start your shift, make a to-do list for the shift and follow it. I have done this every day and have forgotten very few things. The only things I forgot to do are the ones I didnt write down. I did not start to feel confident of my nursing ability until I was there 9-12 months. At the 12 month mark when I had my evaluation and I was reassured that I was doing a good job, I felt a sigh of relief and I realized that yeah, I dont know everything, but I know my resources and I am confident that I can find the answer when I dont have it. You will never know everything and you will learn things everyday, just know your resources and you will always be fine. If your fellow nurses are not supportive, find a new work environment. I guarantee there are supportive work environments out there and you dont have to be stuck. Dont let one bad work experience tell you that you dont like nursing. This is one of many jobs you will have in your long nursing career. If your day is overwhelming, go to the bathroom and take a deep breath and compose yourself. Your pts need you, be strong. Call someone at the end of your day to vent. When you go home and think you dont want to go back, just know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

[Marshall1]

Sounds like depression...trying to get a "thicker skin" isn't the answer and you have been a nurse for some time now so you know some coworkers can be easy to get along with, some not..anyway..if your symptoms (crying etc) have been going on longer than two weeks I encourage you to see someone professionally..either a therapist or a psychiatrist to try and help you sort through this. The longer you wait, the worse it can get. Look up the true signs of depression online..see they ring true for you...I hope today is a better day for you..