CVICURN2021

I'm currently a second year SRNA. I just started clinicals in May 2023 (I'm in a front- loaded program). Ever since I started the program, I have struggled immensely with imposter syndrome. Now that I started clinicals over the Summer, my imposter syndrome and anxiety has only gotten worse. We started our fall semester here two weeks ago and my anxiety and depression has hit an all time low. I have lost all motivation and have just been struggling mentally. Because of this, I have missed clinical and class. I have spoken with my program director and assistant program director and they have been very supportive. I'm meeting with a psychiatrist as I need to do something to get this under control. I have struggled with anxiety and depression my whole life, but it has gotten really bad since starting clinicals. I'm making this post just for some words of encouragement from other SRNAs and CRNAs. I feel like a failure for missing class and clinical. I know I need to get these issues under control or else it won't ever improve. Has anyone been in a similar situation as me? Is there anything in particular that worked for you to help better your mental health during CRNA school ad even after graduating the program? My program director said I can take a medical leave if I need to, but I just don't want to be super behind. I really need words of advice.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I know exactly how you feel. You are not an embarrassment to your program, I promise. They chose you for their program because they knew you could it. I know you can do it. It will get better. I'm so sorry you are feeling this way. Reach out to me if you ever need to talk.

I'm currently 1 year into a CRNA program that's 3 years in total. I can't help but think I won't be good enough for what this role entails. I'm worried I won't be smart enough to get through clinicals. I'm terrified to go to clinicals and I've considered withdrawing. My program and being an OR nurse. My student loans haven't gotten that bad, so if I withdraw now, I can still back my debt without it being too financially devastating. I would plan to get 3 years of OR nursing experience under my belt and then be a travel OR nurse. I've always wanted to do traveling and I could still make six figures doing that and not have the level of responsibility as a CRNA. I don't know, but then there's the part of me that worries I'll regret withdrawing from CRNA school and I'll always wonder "what if?” I understand I can't have it both ways and I need to make up my mind. I'm just so overwhelmed. My mental health is *** right now and being in the program obviously isn't helping. I've always struggled with confidence and you need confidence to be a CRNA or else you're going to kill someone. I'm super depressed and I don't know if I'm making the right decision by doing CRNA school. I know I should be very grateful to be in this program because it's hard to get accepted, but I can't help but feel like I'm not going to be good enough or smart enough to be a safe CRNA. Can someone please help me? I'll take any advice I can get at this point.

Hey nurse friends, I have a dilemma. I currently work as a full-time CVICU night shift nurse. I work 3 12 hour night shifts a week. I am scheduled to work the next three nights, have four days off, and then work another two night shifts. I am taking up a travel nurse position that is day shift and I will be starting that position on 11/29. Therefore, I only have these last 5 night shifts at my current place of employment. I have to be honest. I have no desire to work nights anymore. None. Zero. My manager screwed me over too. I asked over 6 months ago to go to day shift; she told me if there were any day shift positions available, she would let me know. However, she proceeded to offer the day shift openings to new grad RNs and travelers and I've just had enough. I know in my heart I should finish out these last five shifts and leave on good terms, but I really just don't want to work nights anymore. It's too hard on my body and it's really affecting my mental health (I've been full time on night shift now for a year and a half). I'm getting paid this week and cashed out PTO hours on this check so I have extra money on this check, and therefore I would have enough money to get me through until my travel RN position starts paying me. I want honest advice, what should I do? I want to finish out my last remaining shifts, but it's just so hard because I hate night shift and I'm so tired of flipping my sleep schedule back and forth