New Graduate Anxiety

[MsDrea03]

I recently graduated and a new nurse on a Surgical ICU floor and i fear work. I have this anxiety that makes my stomach turn n my chest tight when 7pm comes around when i know i have to be a work the next morning. While i was in school i was interested in OB/GYN n Critical care. Now that i have been on an icu floor for about a month i absolutely think that this isnt for me? is this normal? I want to be able to communicate with patients this meaning that all of my patients are pretty much ventilated and there is alot to learn and im just overwhelmed! will this feeling go away or maybe this unit just isnt for me? Can some recent grads relate? or Experienced nurses offer some guidance?

[Dolce, RN]

Feelings of anxiety are very normal for a new grad. You are in a high intensity, high stress environment and you will likely feel anxious and stressed out for about one year, although it should ease up a bit after about 6 months. I wish I could tell you that transferring to another department or hospital would make things easier but the reality is that almost all settings are stressful for a new nurse. Your learning curve is just enormous the first year. Here is some advise to help get you through.....

Realize that you are not alone--you have a wealth of resources among your experienced coworkers. Utilize these resources by pay attention to what they say and to what they do. Experienced nurses enjoy working with new grads that don't have a "know-it-all" attitude.

Never stop learning. You should be doing some study at home after work. Look up meds, labs, diagnoses, and surgeries you are unfamiliar with.

Cut yourself a break. You are not perfect, you never will be. Learn from each mistake and move on. Accept the fact that doing your best means that you have done a good job.

Find time for relaxing activities outside of work. Limit the amount of time you spend thinking/obsessing/dreading work. A little bit of reflection is healthy but don't allow your mind to spend all of your time thinking about it. You should make time for activities that are distinct from work.

Best wishes to you. I was certainly at your point of high anxiety when I graduated. I came home sobbing more than once. Let me tell you--it gets easier with time.

[oncologynurse77]

The last post is spot on. I'm a new grad as well and as part of my orientation we filled out a sheet every week about what kinds of patients we had/competencies completed. Sometimes I look back at that when I'm feeling overwhelmed and anxious... I've learned SO much in the past few months! Progress is being made! Best of luck