Prescription From Student Health Center

[shadowboxer]

This is my first semester as a nursing student and I'm going to start clinicals soon. I get really anxious when I'm put on the spot and the last thing I want to worry about is turning red or my hands shaking during. I hate it when people point out how red I get. I'm dreading the health professional tell me that most people aren't as red as they think. I've heard that one before. I sought help in the past, but my lab work came back as normal. I'm also worried about the staff seeing me as being unfit for the nursing program. Has anybody obtained a prescription from your school's health center for anxiety? Were there any consequences as a result?

[amarilla, RN]

I don't have issues with anxiety, but I wanted to pop in to ask if you've made any friends with your classmates? If there are a few friendly faces, perhaps it could help to form a study group to practice skills and to bounce funds questions off of each other.

Being able to get comfortable doing skills in front of friendly people, (your classmates) can only help cut some of the tension when you go to clinicals. Bouncing information off of each other via questions, flash cards or the like can rev up those critical thinking skills and help you get the answers out before the lockjaw sets in.

Yes, I was shy, (long, long ago.)

Best of luck!

Best,

Southern

[LMRN10]

I agree with the previous poster, and also you will get to know and feel more comfortable with your teacher throughout the semester, so that should give you some relief as well. I have not gone to the school nurse for anything like that, but I would say if you think you need it, it may not be a horrible idea!! You shouldn't have to worry about that when in the nursing program...your going ot have enough to think about!!! Yes, it's stressful, but good...and you really do get to know your group VERY well!!! Best of luck to you!

[fiveofpeep]

We cant give medical advice here, but as a nursing student with mild OCD and generalized anxiety, I just wanted to let you know that I started off really nervous and shaky, but now I am much more relaxed (2nd and 3rd semester). I am honest about my feelings to my teachers, and say "youre making me really nervous right now," and then they kind of lay off. I do understand what you mean about shaking and being red and knowing others can see it..and then I get more anxious because of it hehe.

Medication wise, I think you'll find that antianxiety meds (particularly benzodiazepines) arent recommended to be taken during clinicals by hospital and school policy. There are a wealth of other less mind altering meds you can discuss with your MD for during clinicals.

I also recommend talking with someone who can help you find the source of your anxiety and handle situations with less anxiety.

PS... the staff expect anxiety from students and actually seem to be more turned off by people who come in hard-headed and think they know it all. One of my teachers even said, "I'd find it abnormal if you werent even a tinsiest bit nervous walking in to clinicals"

[shadowboxer]

Thank you for your advice and comments. I actually feel a little at ease.

[inland18mempire]

I had a friend that would get so nervous her hands would just shake to no end. She did some research online and found out that performers take Propranolol (which is a beta-blocker). She went to her doctor and he prescribed this for her. THe difference is amazing.... she said her anxiety was relieved greatly, and her hands were so still she could perform brain surgery! It works so well because it blocks the receptors in the hand that cause them to shake. Propranolol is cheap to buy, it doesn't cloud your judgement, or things like that. She just says she feels really good after she takes one, and her hands don't shake anymore. You should ask your doctor about possibly getting an Rx for this. For what it's worth, she was given the 20mg dose.