Nursing student and anxiety

Skitter · Nov 13, 2014

Also..does anyone know if I would need to disclose me having an anxiety disorder/getting treated for to the Texas BOD? I've heard bipolar you have to, not sure about anxiety.

ocean.baby · Nov 13, 2014

You do not have to disclose unless you have been hospitalized for it. Do you go to counseling, do you take meds? If not, why? You have to take care of yourself as well as others, and though the stress gets worse, some of us are affected by different stressors. I can handle whatever happens at work, but let me not be able to find a parking spot, or feel overwhelmed by what I have to get done on my days off and my anxiety level rapidly escalates out of control. lol and yes I go to counseling and have been getting meds adjusted for over a year now.

LadyJovial · Nov 14, 2014

I'm really sorry you are going through this. You mentioned that you are 22, with a toddler and just finishing a nursing program. Panic attacks prey on people who are made more vulnerable by fatigue from sleep deprivation, stress from being asked to push past all their own bodies signals telling you , slow down, sleep, eat and dealing with unreasonable people that put demands on us, like toddlers and nursing instructors. I can solidly say that getting back to the basics of focusing on your own health such as sleep, nutrition, exercise and finding a way to be able to get some mental and physical rest would help your overall well being. I would also suggest asking your physician about getting your thyroid checked as thyroid imbalances can contribute to panic attacks as well.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Nov 14, 2014

You are quite young. I first had to seek medical help for anxiety when I was 19, with 2 babies. Having young children to care for can definitely exacerbate anxiety.

But there is hope! I'm now in my mid 30's and work as a nurse. It is challenging to mange my anxiety, at times, but I have been able to do my job as a nurse in an exemplary manner, according to my superiors, in spite of my anxiety.

What has helped me: 1) medication 2) learning to use a brain sheet at work 3) striving to learn all I can about policies and procedures at work. I keep copied of policies in my notebook or in my bag. I study at home on disorders / meds I'm not used to. 4) I developed great working relationships with other nurses at work. We help each other!! 5) trying to take care of myself. Exercise, eating right, proper hydration, etcetera.

Skitter · Nov 14, 2014

Thank you for your replies. My thyroid and everything is good apparently, just checked it not too long ago. I've had an anxiety disorder for years it is just something I deal with..

I'm glad to hear there is hope. I'm just questioning if I should do this now. Because at this rate I NEED to do something whether it's starting the nursing program or switching careers, anything. But I know I have to decide for myself. Right now I'm not on meds so I'm thinking of trying them out to see how they will help.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Nov 14, 2014

As the saying goes, "If you think you can, or if you think you can't, you're right." I understand your ambivalence about starting the nursing program when your anxiety is so poorly controlled, and right now probably isn't the time to undertake it. Nursing programs are very fast-paced and the curriculum is demanding. It's a challenge under the best of circumstances; if your physical and mental health are compromised, it can be impossible.

Please consider seeing a doctor or (preferably) a mental health professional who can help you with therapy, medications, and/or alternative treatments such as yoga and meditation. It's amazing what these things can do. I was recently introduced to mindfulness and breathing techniques that help control anxiety, and they have been quite helpful in relaxing my body and quieting my racing thoughts. (Now, if I can just remember to use them when I'm really stressed out...... :yes: )

Fruit Sucker · Nov 15, 2014

I'm going to be honest with you- it will likely get worse in nursing school. It did for me. I would consider medication if you start to feel an increase in frequency or quality of the attacks. For me, escitalopram has helped a great deal. You don't need to disclose it to anyone, and you'd be surprised how many people in nursing school you will meet who are taking anxiolytics and antidepressants.

Don't let yourself get to the point where it becomes unmanageable and you're missing days or your grades are dropping before you do something about it, because it will take at least 6 weeks for medication to take effect.

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2014

I disclosed my struggles with anxiety and depression on our health form and was thanked by our compliance coordinator for my honesty. Because, seriously, I would want that documented if somewhere into my program I tank. They would be more understanding and willing to accomodate me because I disclosed early on when requested to do so. However, this was well after acceptance into the program and during compliance so I'm not sure if, for your program, you have to disclose at the application process.

Here's the thing: you're 22. I struggled majorly with depression and anxiety and panic attacks when I was around that age and I made it through. I started my nursing program when I was 27. I look at the 19 and 20 yos around me in awe of them because I know I would not have been able to even attempt nursing school at that time (the same goes for many of my peers who are the same age with no problems with anxiety and depression - it just wan't the right time for us).

As I finish up the first qtr of my 2nd year, however, things are getting real. You can't count on your life situation to remain static throughout the program and these upsets in my journey have been very detrimental to my mental health. I could not imagine having a child and dealing with this -- and yet, I'm in the process of seeking a sperm donor with my partner who has baby fever so bad she start a forest fire. I'm pretty much at the point of drowning and discord with my partner has pushed me even further to the brink. Layer on the fact that I'm still stuck in the retail job I'm attempting to flee and Black Friday is just around the corner (along with the 24-hour shift I have). So, I have to seek help. It sucks -- who in nursing school has time to go to therapy or even schedule an appt with a doctor? But, as I've already made it through a year of abject struggle, success, failure, fear, happiness, etc. I have the tools to deal with it more effectively (and the wisdom to know when I need professional help and that I will not be a victim of this issue).

I tell you all of this because you have to not put your anxiety disorder as this thing that stands beside you. It's not some kind of monster you have to tame or else it gets in the way of doing things. It's a challenge that is within you. I went into nursing knowing that I would have to push myself out of my comfort zone on a regular basis. This is my way of dealing with it. I want to be battle-hardened. I want to be unshakeable in spite of my emotional scars. Being in nursing school does not automatically mean you're going off the deep end. For me, everything outside of nursing school is what is setting me off. But, I know myself enough to know how to cope better and to allow myself bad days. You can do this, too. You may find comfort in the constant chaos of nursing school -- I know I do. I already know it's hard and it's a struggle and it makes it less hard. It's the unforseen nonsense that keeps happening in my life that is tripping me up. Those are the things you have to recognize as the true obstacles. But the rush of meeting and exceeding the challenges of nursing school - those are rewards that can take you through those bad days. The relief that comes when you took the extra time and allowed your anxiety to make you over-prepared -- that is priceless.

Sorry for the tl;dr. You just happened to ask the question at the time someone in your similar situation is in the thick of it. You can do this, though. You made it through the pre-reqs. You put the work in already. Don't stop now. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself and let yourself be scared. Make a contract with yourself that you know things are going to be hard. You know you will have bad days with your baby -- but guess what: you won't be the only mom in your class. You will learn you have so many resources to reach out to that can help you make sense of things and deal with them more effectively. But you have to really want it.

Pandapack · Dec 1, 2014

la_chica_suerte85 - just wanted you to know, I had tears in my eyes when I read your post. It was like you were speaking to me. I too recently had a trauma in my life and so have suffered from PTSD/anxiety from it. It has made me question going back to school to get my RN something I really wanted to do prior (I am currently an LPN). Your post has given me renewed faith, just knowing there is support out there, thanks! :)

dishes, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2014

Do something less stressful in the medical field. Responsibility for one patient's test or treatment is much less stressful than being responsible for a group of unstable patients with a large variety of medical needs. Working Monday to Friday is easier both physically and mentally than working shift work. Employee satisfaction surveys show higher job satisfaction and a greater work life balance in the allied health professions than in nursing.