New grad nurse having nightmares and insomnia

[poopylala, BSN, RN]

I keep having issues with sleeping after I've worked a shift. I dream that I forgot to give meds or something and I wake up in a panic but then I realize that I of course have given the meds and can calm down to go back to sleep. It's anxiety about work affecting my sleep! Any suggestions for what I can do?

[quazar]

I think it's pretty normal to do that. I've done that even when my job was a cashier at a grocery store. I literally woke up scanning groceries in my sleep. Yep.

Some of it is just a time thing, as in it's going to take time for it to get better and really the only thing you can do is wait it out. Some of it might be helped with talking to other nurses about your job stress. That helps me tremendously. I have several close friends who are nurses who don't work with me, and we call each other to vent. It helps to relieve that internal pressure valve.

If it's getting really bad and you're super sleep deprived, you might want to consider a visit to a physician.

[ImLovingIt]

A couple things that may help:

1. An eye mask and/or ear plugs. I used an eye mask for the first time recently. I had been restless, anxious and couldn't stop thinking about work. With my first use, I fell asleep quickly and slept soundly and through the night. I'm hoping that continues.

2. White noise. I have an app on my phone that has a variety of different sounds. I like thunderstorm. It blocks out the sounds of "life."

3. Relaxing routine at bedtime. A bath, good book, meditation, yoga, whatever works for you.

Good luck!