Hi everyone. I really need some advice from anyone that can help. I am a second year nursing student with clinical on a very very busy and stressful med surge floor. I try my best and work very hard to provide the best possible care but I am not perfect and sometimes I mess up. My problem is that whenever the smallest thing goes wrong, I cant get over it. I literally obsess abut it and can't sleep for days, sometimes weeks after. I usually go home crying and fell very upset with myself. This is beginning to be a big problem for me and is affecting my life very negatively. Other nursing students tell me that I am too sensitive and should not take things so seriously. I have also been told that it is a good thing that I get upset because it shows that I care about the patients.
My question is how can I stop letting things that go wrong at clinical upset me so much? In other words, how can I not take work home with me?
I disagree with the medication suggestion. Anxiety is a normal response to hte overwhelming, thankless, demanding job that nursing has become.
yes it is a normal response. so what does that mean? it shouldn't be treated? that a warm bath and low lighting preceded with an hour of exercise will resolve all anxieties? maybe for some, definitely not for all. antidepressants have been a lifesaver for millions. i'm not one who randomly endorses the use of all psyche meds but i have seen enough to know the ones that are more benign than others. i think the benefits outweigh the adversities.
I will share some of the best advice on this topic I have EVER received. DO YOUR BEST---THEN LET IT GO. You simply HAVE TO. Nursing school is not the end, it's only the beginning. Stress is relative. Share with your fellow students/teachers but don't become a burden. If you are getting the vibe that your feelings are over the top--too much for others' to handle, then you can start thinking of going outside of your circle. Trust your friends/colleagues/instructors to be honest with you. ONE OF THE BIGGEST STRENGTHS IN NURSING IS HAVING THE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF TO ASK QUESTIONS, COME CLEAN WITH MISTAKES. NO ONE GOES TO WORK THINKING--I THINK I'LL SCREW UP TODAY--EVERYONE WANTS TO DO A GOOD JOB. I'M SURE YOUR INSTRUCTORS KNOW THAT. YOU AREN'T PERFECT AND YOU WEREN'T BORN WITH ALL THE KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY TO BE A NURSE---THAT'S WHY YOU'RE A STUDENT!!!!CUT YOURSELF SOME SLACK
:idea:I think in order 2 cope with that stress in ur life, u have to take things 1 at a time, and nt 2 bring hang ups and problems at home because it will bother u emotionally.
Nursing is a profession which u will face a lot of challenges but be sure ur mature enough not to be botherd esp. when ur at home..ur home is ur sanctuary, reflect on the wrong ones but consider it as a lesson...enjoy life and know hw 2 prioritize things...first, how to take care of urself, second is ur family, 3rd is ur profession... I know u can make it....just be cool and avoid thinking 2 much...
i will share some of the best advice on this topic i have ever received. do your best---then let it go. you simply have to.... you aren't perfect and you weren't born with all the knowledge necessary to be a nurse---that's why you're a student!!!!cut yourself some slack
i understand what your saying but, i don't think that stating that she has to just "let it go" isn't overally helpful. whilst it has worked for some of us out there in the nursing world, the orginal issue is that she couldn't just let it go, hence the reason for this forum.
First of all relax. Nursing school is a very hard task for all of us. It is hard not taking home work with you, try to seperate yourself from work once you get home, by taking a long hot bath, eat a lite meal and take a nap. When you awake, focus on reading that helps me out alot. When you start off your next day at your clinical, relax take a few deep breaths and just focus on being the best nurse you can be.
I disagree with the medication suggestion. Anxiety is a normal response to hte overwhelming, thankless, demanding job that nursing has become.
MILD and some moderate anxiety is a normal response (the kind that motivates us, or signals our attention to something) But there are the more severe types, panic attacks that are more disabling.
I suffered many years with anxiety that went undiagnosed. Got worse in nursing school. Wasn't til my Psych class that i learned what a panic attack was, and I was even having them in my sleep (every few nights I'd wake up gasping for air, and every morning a major headache that felt like a hangover, and of course the classic major palpitations, and dizziness, etc). Since starting anti-anxiety drugs, I haven't once experienced that. I've exercised all along, and always take long hot showers, which i believe help, but none of this thought-changing helps while sleeping. Sometimes for sleep, it did help to set the sleep-timer on my tv and watch some silly makeover show or something.
Best wishes to you in school!! I am struggling along with you. I hope you find a way to cope that works for you.
Specializes in Rural, Midwifery, CCU, Ortho, Telemedicin.
I think you need to talk to your doctor about an anti-anxiety or depressant med. QUOTE]
A pill for everything, take one and you don't have to deal, right????
Your nursing school should have a counselor for the students, if not see if the hospital has one, or talk with one of the social servive personnel. They can train you in proceedures to decrease your anxiety and "obsessing". such as looking upward as far as you can for 10 seconds, or utilizing the "just say No" I won't think about this for 10 or whatever minutes method. If none of these are available, a visit to the county or a private counselor may be in order. Talk with the others in your classes, maybe you aren't alone. If it is a bother for more than one student then maybe the school can squeeze in a class on coping and stress reduction now.
It is hard to get over mistakes especially when you are under such scrutiny to instructors and other nurses. I can relate to you because I am the same way. What you don't realize is that each mistake you make, makes you a better nurse because you learn from them. Mistakes are made, it just seems as students we don't hear about nurses making them so we compare ourselves to what we see as perfection but in fact it is not. Try to learn from the mistake and if you do, know that this is a learning experience. Med Surg is very hectic just make sure you know the important stuff and take it in stride! Best of luck!
Nursing is a profession which u will face a lot of challenges but be sure ur mature enough not to be botherd esp. when ur at home..ur home is ur sanctuary, reflect on the wrong ones but consider it as a lesson...enjoy life and know hw 2 prioritize things...first, how to take care of urself, second is ur family, 3rd is ur profession... I know u can make it.
...just be cool and avoid thinking 2 much...
leslie :-D
11,191 Posts
yes it is a normal response. so what does that mean? it shouldn't be treated? that a warm bath and low lighting preceded with an hour of exercise will resolve all anxieties? maybe for some, definitely not for all. antidepressants have been a lifesaver for millions. i'm not one who randomly endorses the use of all psyche meds but i have seen enough to know the ones that are more benign than others. i think the benefits outweigh the adversities.