stressed..other nursing options??

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so I only have a couple weeks left on orientation.. things are decent, but I'm getting so stressed with the responsibility of people's lives in my hand that I'm starting to have panic attacks before work! Tonight I even had to call off because I just couldn't get myself calmed down, and the idea of going to work like that made it even worse! Not to mention the nights are killing me ... and my body is not adjusting to this. I feel like I'm MUCH more comfortable at a desk! Not messing with the unexpected at work! What is a less stressful job... that I can do day shift on?

Any suggestions about other options for nurses??

"but the classic phrase I keep hearing is.. . stick it out, it'll get better. Or 'you'll get used to nights'. For me personally, it just won't work! I typically am very level headed "

Oh yeah, my favorite quotes. Getting used to something new is one thing. Getting used to something that isn't right for you . . . a completely different beast.

Unfortunately my family seems to think this is a matter of getting used to something new. My mother sees the toll it's taking on me, but she tells me to tough it out. Hmmm, sometimes I just want to scream. I am at my breaking point. In fact I broke, tried to glue it back together, and its not holding! :chuckle

I am glad that you realized you job isn't working for you and you are taking action. You are my new hero! :bow:

well thank you! I appreciate the support! It def wasn't easy, and I know some people will just think I'm a loser, but they don't know what it is like to be in my shoes, and I had to do what's best for ME!!!!! It just was NOT going to work. It got to where for three days straight I just had panic attack after panic attack! Lost 7 lbs in one week (which is A LOT for me!!). It was physically and mentally making me sick... and I'm miss happy-go-lucky.. the one who's goofy and always cheering people up! When all that went away, and all I did was CRY..NONSTOP.. everyone KNEW something wasn't right. My parents were even worried something else was wrong with me and wanted me to go to the doctor to get blood work because they said this isn't my daughter and were afraid something was terribly wrong physically causing all this stress to overtake me. As soon as I resigned though, I perked right back up! The burden had been lifted. It was a leap of faith that I took in order to find something more fitting to me! Now it's just a matter of finding where I do fit! Best of luck to you all in your careers and let me know if I can help at all! I'm sorry you're also having a rough time, but YES- there's a difference between getting used to something new.. and getting used to something that just isn't right! If it doesn't fit, there's NO getting used to it! It will only continue to get worse as my situation did, and I wasn't able to function in an everyday setting.. even at home. It consumed me, so I took action and did what I had to do for me.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

I use to feel a lot of anxiety like this, but I'm getting much more comfortable in my new role as an RN. Each shift still brings new learning experiences though. I'm glad I didn't quit, I came so close.

I feel for you. I hope you find something that won't make you feel this way. But most new jobs are going to make you feel anxious for a while. It is just part of life. Good luck.

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Specializes in Nursing Informatics, E.R., med surg, ENT.

i feel for your situation and I am happy you took steps in getting out your unfortunate circumstance. It seems that you had 2 big issues going on. First, perhaps hospital nursing may not be for you. face it, majority of the nursing jobs require a bedside or procedural area experience. even in the areas of research nursing may require experience. secondly, the night schedule is not for everyone. I work nights and love it and I am still in the first year of nursing. i work in the psyche floor (talk about unpredicablity). I was a tad overwhelmed @ first but I was really focused and determined to succeed. In my second month working, I was fast tracked out of orientation and was made charge nurse much to my surprise. Talk about overwhelmed and intimidated. Fear was the dominant feeling as I wanted to run a "tight ship" in my shift and made sure everyone on staff did their jobs properly. I was blessed with wonderful coworkers who "had my back" and were equally determined to see me succeed. So my first taste of being in charge of so many people in my watch went so smoothly . In fact I was teased for being such a "general" for being very professional and speaking with such authority.

Over time, I felt more at ease with my role as an RN. There is still that nagging feeling @ the back of my head, and fear at times. But i used those feelings of anxiety to be a careful and mindful nurse.

But as much as I enjoyed working NOC shift, my family did not. they missed me and it was tough on them. I began to look for other departments within the hospital that can use my newly acquired psyche nursing skills. I did not have far to look. I applied in the ER/ED for a position in one of the sattelite urgent care clinics. Beginning next week, I will be working days, holidays off and learning new nursing skills in the emergency/trauma area. though my clinic will not see any emergent cases, being trained as an ER nurse, I was told if I wanted to that I can pick up some hours @ the ER whenever I am free and what the schedule allows.

So my point is that don't give up on yourself with nursing. Here are other areas of nursing you may consider, case management, infection control, quality assurance, peer review, admitting and discharge planning, nurse educator, insurance nursing, even a school nurse, public health nurse...the list goes on. You have many options. One door may close but many others open.

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I've posted my experience in other threads. Here's one below. I worked for the publishing co for a couple of years and then got a job in data management. There was no grand plan. Just going for random jobs that "felt right" for me. I definitely helped that I had a bachelor's degree and a health care background. But it wasn't easy to find jobs... I couldn't just open the paper to "nurses wanted" ads. I had to scour job descriptions to find those that really interested me. It tooks months of persistance and the luck of being in "the right place at the right time" to find each of the last two jobs I've had.

https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-advice/nubee-not-cut-373189.html

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I was so overwhelmed and stressed out, not sleeping at all from the anxiety and stress, loosing weight, not eating, even my days off were consumed with my anxiety from my job! It was horrible. I would lay in bed and cry and freak out all night.....my husband thought I was going nuts I'm sure! LOL! I ended up going to the Dr for anti anxiety pills (which helps for awhile then they stopped working) and even my Dr told me to find a new job....lol. My BP was high.

Anyways.....I "stuck it out" for about 8 months and then just left. It was getting easier at the 8 month mark but it just wasn't for me--the hospital isn't for me I came to realize. I didn't like going into the unknown everyday, etc. I just didn't' want to do it anymore. I even had signed a 2 year contract with this hospital, but I just got to the point where the money wasn't worth it anymore.

So I found a *very* easy and stress free job working in psych (my particular unit is know for having the least amount of holds....I think we had maybe 1 or 2 last year). I LOVE it!!!! I sometimes can't believe I get paid to do what I do--I feel very blessed. I finally have a job where I don't mind going to work, I'm working 8 hour shifts so I have a life even on the days that I do work, not stressed out, sleeping great, etc. It is not a very challenging job, but it's a job that pays great and doesn't stress me out and I like the patients.

I love working night shift though :)

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Hey

I think hospital based NUrsing has become the pits maybe with he exception of OR nursing. I have been working as a pediatric home care RN, A substitute School NUrse and even in the Speciality med dept for United health care

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Specializes in Med Surg, Parish Nurse, Hospice.

I am an older nurse with 30 plus years of experience and am up at 3 am because of the last shift I worked. I understand just how you feel. I consider myself a good and caring nurse, but with staffing levels the way they are today and the high acutity of patients it is no wonder so many nurse are feeling this same way. i don't have any words of advice, but no you are no you are not alone

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THere is life beyond the hospital folks if the hospital makes you stressed, cry sick ect MY advice leave Leave before they turn your hair gray give you ulcers or you end up a patient in the psych ward!!!!! there is work outside the Hospital the pay may not be as high but the fact you can enjoy your job again is priceless!!!!!!!! do not let som hospital nurse manager push you around do not take the abuse for your own sake and health think of yourself and your family and most important your happiness!!!!!!

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Specializes in cardiac rehab, medical/tele, psychiatric.

It's comforting to know I am not alone with the feelings of anxiety and dread about making it through another shift..but it is also disheartening to know that so many of us who wanted to be nurses are now questioning that choice.

I work on a busy tele/med floor, high acuity, and too much responsibility (we get e-mails telling us that reaching 99% of our goals isn't good enough).

It's gotten so bad, that I can't even relax on my days off.

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if thats the case leave that job!!! for the love of GOd your life is more valuable than that do not let them do this to you please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! trust me do not let a nurse manager do this to you there is life after the hospital there really is.

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Specializes in cardiac rehab, medical/tele, psychiatric.
if thats the case leave that job!!! for the love of GOd your life is more valuable than that do not let them do this to you please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! trust me do not let a nurse manager do this to you there is life after the hospital there really is.

I agree with your words of wisdom. In my case, I have been looking and sending out resumes without any luck. Unfortunately I only have one year experience in M/S and the job market, as we all know, kinda stinks right now!

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Specializes in ICU (med/surgical/transplant/neuro/ent).

JAM - I wish you the best in your job hunt. At least you have the "1 year experience" going for you! That will help you alot! I've only got 6 months ICU experience (only 2 months completely on my own). Since you have met that coveted 1 year mark :yeah:, you have that to build upon! Good Luck!!

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