Swirl531

Hear me out. I am a new grad, and got a job June of 2020 at a hospital. Once I was on my own, I began having IMMENSE anxiety and depression. I got on an antidepressant for the first time in my life. I would have panic attacks DAYS before my scheduled shift even began. When I was at work, I was filled with almost unbearable anxiety as well. This would be reflected in my doctor’s summaries. Anyway, fast forward and I decided to resign. YES I had signed a contract. The contract is quite vague. I am wondering if any of my fellow nurses have had experience leaving jobs when still under contract... was the contract enforceable? I live in Nevada... curious to see if any of you live here. I am thinking I’ll speak with an attorney to see if I could go the mental health route. My mental health was awful and I don’t feel that my worst enemy should have to go through such anxiety. Please don’t be rude, or tell me I should have just dealt with it, or whatever. Fact is, I couldn’t deal with it, I was an emotional mess, and it wasn’t right for me. I don’t feel that contracts are fair, and it feels like they “own my soul” and are still haunting me. thanks in advance! ♥️

Thanks for all of your replies. At my job, I have seen several nurses that go on light duty help with unit clerk things which in turn helps the charge nurse and the floor. I am just nervous how my work will respond right now with COVID going on. I have worked at this company for over 6 years in different areas, so I am hoping they'll be accommodating. I'm truly trying to push it as far as I can, but I think once I get to the 36 week mark, that'll be my wits end. Or, just hoping I deliver right at 37 weeks!... ha, wishful thinking.

Really? That’s interesting. About a year ago there were 3 pregnant nurses all on light duty on my floor!

Thanks for your reply. I agree that I need to take those basic actions but honestly most shifts I’m so busy I can barely get a moment to get water. Also asking for help is doable but hard. I float a lot because I’m pregnant and work on a covid floor, and a lot of times I get major attitude from CNAs when I ask then for help. The other night I was THE ONLY NURSE with a CNA on an overflow area. I had to call upstairs for witnesses and whatnot. I’m not making excuses, I just feel that my workplace is not accommodating at all being pregnant, and I am starting to feel I’m putting myself and my baby at risk. I will try to be better about insisting I need help, but I am hoping I am able to go the light duty route. Thank you!

Hey all. I am almost 34 weeks pregnant and am starting to struggle a lot at work. I work med surg with 6 patients. I am finding that I still get heavy assignments, find myself lifting way too much patient-wise, moving beds, barely sitting down or having enough time to even drink water. I really only have Braxton Hicks contractions at work and my back kills me at work! I don’t feel I am going to be able to work full duty until term. Did any of you have any luck with light duty? At my work they have accommodated light duty for other nurses, I just don’t know with covid and everything going on how it’ll work. ? I am planning on trying to make it two more weeks and then talking with my doctor about light duty. It’s just SUCH a bad time for this amidst the pandemic but I am pregnant, and it is what it is. ?

Thanks so much for your support, everyone. update: I got through my work week. The first shift was extra rough and I didn’t get a lunch break, it was crazy. I had so many different patient situations that I NEVER had during orientation (go figure). For The most part, people were helpful... BUT I still feel so incompetent. I feel like I second guess almost every thing I do and I can’t make a decision independently. I feel like I have to ask the same questions or have someone help me with the same scenario multiple times before I feel confident and like I can actually do it on my own. :( I did make it, of course, but now I work tomorrow night and the same fears and anxieties are hitting hard again so I found myself coming back to read your posts for some relief. Thanks again for your responses and wish me luck on week two by myself. ?

I just took a screenshot of your advice to read when my fear and anxiety creeps in. Thank you. ? Thank you all for your kind advice and consideration. I am so thankful to have this outlet for support. ?

Hey fellow nurses. As the title says, I am officially off orientation and will be on my own this week. I don’t work for three more nights, and am already experiencing immense anxiety. Side note: I am pregnant and have been struggling with anxiety/depression. Last week my doctor actually wrote me off work because of my panic attacks regarding work. I go back this week to my first full week alone. I am trying my best to BATTLE these thoughts (fears of making mistakes, imposter syndrome, low confidence, accidentally hurting a patient or missing something important such as an assessment finding that leads to patient decline, constantly thinking of all the things that can go wrong, etc, etc...), because I can’t NOT work. I can’t give up. I have to do this for my husband and baby on the way and to prove to myself I can. :’( My charge nurses and other nurses I work with are so great and helpful. I was a CNA on the same floor (except on the opposite shift) and so I haven’t had to deal with bullying or nurses eating their young. My worries are purely centered around my own level of confidence and preparedness and patient safety. please, I am just asking for some words of encouragement, some words to know I’m not alone, and that I’ll “be OK” from people who truly have been in my shoes.

@Nunya I know, I barely feel like I’ll make it till my due date/another 3 months working full time there. My doctor got me in today for an appointment after I told her about my mental state so I am curious to see what she says and recommends. Are you an OB nurse? I had also messaged her because only at work have I been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions; I know they are harmless but I was worried that they only occur at work. I set up a meeting with my manager Thursday morning, I am nervous to talk with her and don’t know exactly how to go about talking with her. I plan on talking to her about leave and then asking if I can come back after leave part time; if she says no I will most likely consider quitting but I don’t want to give her an ultimatum vibe. I have worked at the same hospital and unit since 2014 (I was a CNA before becoming a nurse this year) and I’m hoping that gives me some credit. Thanks so much for your reply.

@LibraNurse27 the job market is good, I’m in Las Vegas. Financially my husband makes just enough to cover the bills and a little extra. He is very stressed at the idea of me quitting my current workplace, and I’m very stressed at the idea of staying there. I called my doctor regarding my major anxiety and depression-like symptoms revolving around work and she actually got me in today. I have also ONLY been having Braxton Hicks contractions when at work.. so IDK. We will see what she says. I plan on working till due date but I really hope my spirit can make it till then. Husband is OK with me going part time after maternity leave which I think could help take a big chunk of the stress out— as you probably know, full time is a lot harder then part time! If I could do part time and fulfill my contract (till September 2022 ??) I would have a strong resume to really open so many doors for me as an RN. Thanks so much for your response and encouragement and for listening to my rambles. ?

Hey nurses. I’m struggling. I am a new nurse on medsurg with 6 patients. I am about to be off orientation and already my anxiety is 10/10 every day at work and I dread going back to work DAYS before the shift even starts. I feel my mental health is being affected very negatively. I know many of you know this feeling and I have heard “it gets better” and to give it a year. I would just grind it out, or try, but I am also about to be a new mom in 3 months time and I honestly am having even more anxiety thinking of going back to this work stress + the new stress of having a newborn baby and no family where we live. I am contemplating working up until due date but quitting before I have to go back after maternity leave. I am also in a contract but have *heard* it’s not enforceable where I live. Even if it is, I am about to give them their money and leave. My husband is amazing and in no way is this a bash, but he just doesn’t understand the stress of a nurse and it doesn’t make any sense to him why I wouldn’t go back after Maternity leave and he is upset at me even bringing it up. Need advice. I feel so stuck. SO stuck. ? Please help.

Hey guys! Thanks for your replies and your advice. I know I’m so close, I’m frustrated that I can’t see the light and that it doesn’t give me some peace going in to work right now!

Hey guys! So like the title says, I’ve been a cna for 11 years in nursing homes, and hospital settings. I only have a couple months left to go of nursing school, and I can barely stand the thought of working as a CNA that much longer. I have become seriously burned out with the mega under-appreciation, Heavy patient loads, and running around like a chicken with its head cut off every shift with little help from nurses. I’m a good CNA and work my butt off to make sure my patients are comfortable and cared for and I’m EXHAUSTED. Any advice on how to combat this? I know it’s silly that I’ve been a CNA so long and only have a couple months left, but guys, I’m struggling. does anyone else feel this way?! ♥️

Hey there! It's funny you said that, because I remember my dad always telling me that- it's a theory or something right? A little anxiety can actually be turned in to "positive nervousness" that actually helps you think more clearly and do better. Thank you for your advice.

Aww, thank you all so much for responding to my anxious heart.. and for settling my nerves! I agree with all of you, and I'm going to try to do better at taking it one step at a time instead of one mountain at a time. :) I will let you all know how the first test goes. FutureNurseInfo, I wish you the best of luck in your program too!