Struggling to Stay Afloat

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Specializes in Med-Surg RN.

I'm a new grad RN who graduated in August & just started my first nursing job a few weeks ago. I know people say it is normal for new grads to feel anxious and overwhelmed, but I truly feel I need to do something, but I don't know what. For context I do have anxiety and depression anyway. But after starting this job I feel so overwhelmed I'm constantly on the verge of tears and I have felt profoundly depressed. It is hard to function. I make it through work somehow but at home I lay in bed on every day off for the entire day feeling empty & like life is just meaningless. I need support but I can't go to therapy due to not having a driver's licence and depending on my parents to drive me who are judgemental about mental health. I am wondering if anyone knows of resources available to support new nurses though as that may help at least a bit. Thank you so much in advance ❤️.

 

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Check with your clinical educator ASAP. Most hospitals will have an EAP (Employee Assistance Program), part of which is mental health resources. There are online therapy options so no need to drive anywhere if you can access the internet... If you don't find anything through your job, whatever health insurance you have should have mental health resources as well, but you may need to dig a bit to find what they are.

I have been where you are and it's not pretty. Get the help you need RIGHT NOW because it will be very hard to get better on your own without changing anything. I wish you the very best of luck.

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Specializes in Med-Surg RN.
On 12/3/2021 at 12:57 AM, RNtobe26 said:

Check with your clinical educator ASAP. Most hospitals will have an EAP (Employee Assistance Program), part of which is mental health resources. There are online therapy options so no need to drive anywhere if you can access the internet... If you don't find anything through your job, whatever health insurance you have should have mental health resources as well, but you may need to dig a bit to find what they are.

I have been where you are and it's not pretty. Get the help you need RIGHT NOW because it will be very hard to get better on your own without changing anything. I wish you the very best of luck.

Thank you. For EAP we get 3 counseling sessions. I do not drive and unfortunately still live with my parents. My mom doesn't work so I don't have the privacy for telehealth as she is judgemental and always in my business or screaming at me for something. Anyway, it's a bit complicated, but I truly appreciate your suggestions ❤️

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Is there any reason you don't have a driver's license? If you are a graduated BSN nurse you are making money and it sounds like you need to start moving towards independence. Small things will help, like getting a license, if your parents will let you use their car. If not, save up and get ready to purchase your own. It sounds like you know that things need to change... but you have to be ready to make those changes, no one else is going to do it for you. You made it through school, you are capable of doing these things for yourself. Prove it to yourself that you can! 

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Specializes in Med-Surg RN.
2 hours ago, RNtobe26 said:

Is there any reason you don't have a driver's license? If you are a graduated BSN nurse you are making money and it sounds like you need to start moving towards independence. Small things will help, like getting a license, if your parents will let you use their car. If not, save up and get ready to purchase your own. It sounds like you know that things need to change... but you have to be ready to make those changes, no one else is going to do it for you. You made it through school, you are capable of doing these things for yourself. Prove it to yourself that you can! 

I do definitely need to be more independent. I feel bad that I'm not. Honestly it's really because I panic behind the wheel. I feel like I'm just a mess right now and I don't know how to fix it. I've tried therapy & multiple meds in college & nothing helped. But these problems are affecting everything & I just dread waking up having to do it all over again every day.

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So I am getting a picture here that you have a pretty severe case of anxiety, but are not able to do anything about it because your parents aren't supportive. I am not going to tell you what to do- this is your life and you need to figure it out for yourself. What I will do is this nugget: I would start with a list. Make a list. What is your goal? What are the steps you need to reach that goal? What are the smaller steps you need to reach the bigger steps? I would imagine that treating your anxiety will have to be one of the first steps.

You say that you can't do anything in your house without your mom in your business. If you need to talk to a mental health professional, take a walk to a park or even a parking lot nearby. If you can talk on the phone, you can get help. It doesn't have to be in your house. 

You are very good at providing reasons why things aren't working, and you have true hurdles to overcome. Use your critical thinking skills to come up with solutions to your problems, as that will serve you much better. 

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Specializes in NICU.

You are going thru a long standing issue with anxiety. Always seek help where you can. Once had a nurse/ sw give a lecture and many contacted her for help with various issues of coping and anxiety. First step either you will obtain drivers permit or never.It is up to you,not everyone is meant to drive. You have been given some good suggestions,and you can always come back here and write  on this board. Most experienced nurse in the world are members here.

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