Taking Anti-Anxiety Meds During Clinical?

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

If it were me, I'd wait until the weekend and see what the medication did to me, before taking one before clinical. The last thing you want to do is endanger yourself, your performance at clinical, and/or your patients' safety, especially if the medication knocks you for a loop.

Seriously though, we can't give you medical advice here. The best person to ask is your doctor.

MoLee228 · Apr 8, 2009

Thanks for your input, but I don't really feel like it is medical advice that I am looking for. My prescription is prn so it is my decision when to take the meds and when not to, I do not need a physician to tell me. What I am looking for most is other students experiences with taking anti-anxiety meds during clinical. I guess deep down I know I should wait and not take it tomorrow...but it is so tempting. I'm most interested in knowing if any students on here take benzodiazepines during clinical and if they feel like it helps them a lot or whether it makes them too dull to perform well.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 8, 2009

The thing is we just can't predict how you will react to taking the medication. You really need to discuss this with your PCP, everyone responds differently

pinkiepie_RN · Apr 8, 2009

Hey, love. I'm on klonopin 0.5-1 mg PRN for un-related anxiety and have had not had a problem taking it during clinical, but I would see how it works for you and then possibly let your instructor know because it's a benzo and can have some s/e.

netglow, ASN, RN · Apr 9, 2009

:twocents:

Yes, wait till you are not in clinical to try it.

No, do not tell your instructors.

... If you notice it works for you, just the knowlege that you have it on hand, might be an anxiety reducer for you. e.g try to work it out without the med, but you know it's there if you cannot handle things.

DKEA · Apr 9, 2009

I know you have anxiety over clinicals, but I don't think it's worth risking your entire nursing career over. Chances are you'll be fine, but we all know people react differently to certain medications. If you were to be completely out of it and make a mistake or leave a bad impression on your teacher or other nurses it could be a life altering thing.

jackson145 · Apr 9, 2009

I had an instructor tell me to go get a script for anti-anxiety 1st semester. My hands would shake whenever she started criticizing me in front of my patient. Go figure, huh?

I didn't tell her her I was already taking Klonopin. I've taken 1 mg at least QD & often BID for years. Never has given me any probs, either.

However, I don't think I'd take a baby aspirin for the 1st time on a clinical day!

FLmomof5 · Apr 9, 2009

Always be careful with new meds. My son was given Klonopin and the side effects kicked his butt! They took him off within days. You don't want this happening in the middle of Clinicals.

MoLee228 · Apr 10, 2009

Thank you all for your advice! I ended up NOT taking it during clinical today. I knew that was the right thing to do, I was just so tempted to try it asap! I am going to try taking it this weekend to see how it affects me while I'm not around any patients, heavy machinery, or anything sharp haha!!!

I am glad to hear that some of you have/are taking klonopin and feel that it helps you. I do think the simple fact of having it available to me is an anxiety-reducer! The mind is such an odd and powerful thing... :bugeyes:

Roman813 · Apr 10, 2009

You made the right choice not to take the benzo. Klonopin is a very strong benzo. It is also used to prevent seizures. If you have a bona fide anxiety disorder, you should be managed by a psychiatrist who knows that you are a nursing student. I do not think your provider should have given you Klonopin as a first drug for situational anxiety related to clinicals. It seems very heavy handed; did the provider know you planned to perhaps take this drug while providing patient care in a hospital? While you are helping patients ambulate, ADLS? Wow....

There are other benzos that are shorter acting and less sedating than Klonopin. Did your provider discuss benadryl or atarax? These are antihistamines but also have been used successfully as mild anxiolytics. Have you struggled with anxiety all your life? Or just during new experiences? As with most medical situations, we need more information here....

There are also forms of meditation and guided imagery that can help. Furthermore, being completely rested, well-nourished, and academically prepared for your clinical day is the best way to reduce anxiety. Remember how we are taught to reduce our patient's anxiety???? Empower them with good information and good teaching. FURTHERMORE, we cannot practice THERAPEUTIC PRESENCE if we are stressed out and anxious. So, please go into the hospital as calm and collected as you can. We can't be a source of peace to others if we don't have it ourselves. Also, if your instructor is a decent human being, she/he will be able to offer you some additional tools and close guidance to allay anxiety. There should be counsellors at your school who will talk with you in complete confidence about this topic if needed.

This topic deserves some input from experienced nurses and nurse managers. From the looks of this post, you did well without the benzo, but I wanted to get these thoughts out for others who may be in your same shoes, but were not as brave as you to ask. Again, if a student nurse needs Klonopin to function during clinicals because of anxiety, this is the tip of the iceberg. Peace. --Roman813

NanaOf8 · Apr 10, 2009

I am taking propranolol 10mg. LOVE IT...LOVE IT........L O V E IT! It's a very low dose for a beta blocker and I'll tell you what, I've never been comfortable in my life! Those EXTREME panic feelings, increased heart rate and that intense pounding feeling that your heart is going to explode out of your chest.....GONE! It just does not occur. I am able to think clearly just because the "panic" is gone. For me, ZERO side effects. I'm extremely comfortable during clinical when I don't have to experience that overwhelming sympathetic response that use to occur. That pain was so intense for me, I truly thought I was experiencing a heart attack. Even though I knew it was panic, I thought, this CANNOT be good for my heart!

Oh, I also take 10mg one hour before exams. My test anxiety.....GONE!

My script reads "Take 1-2 tablets by mouth for anxiety." For me, 10mg is enough. I have not experienced any difference in 10mg verses 20mg so, I am very comfortable at 10mg. Oh, and cost of medication WITHOUT insurance....$5! Cost of the doctor appointment without insurance...$80!