Does anyone else get really nervous before a shift?

I always get very anxious prior to the start of a shift, especially if my group of patients is new to me. I'm always nervous about possibly having to float, or maybe needing to give blood, etc. While at work, I'm nervous to walk into patients' rooms, and feel self conscious while in there. I had this problem while in nursing school clinicals too. It doesn't seem to be improving, either. I used to take a benzo for anxiety but felt like it adversely affected my short term memory, so I quit. I've been off orientation for approximately six months.

Any advice?
Experience and time. I went through that before (no history of Benzos - I did take Vistaril, though). Anxious before a shift. Once I floated four shifts in a row. I hated it at the hospital I worked at. I've been a nurse three years now and I no longer get anxious before work. Good luck!

Some anxiety is normal. If you are new and handling the responsibility for the lives of several sick people and not fully confident in your abilities, being a little anxious is to be expected.It takes time to build up your nursing skills and confidence. With time, the amount of anxiety decreases.I still get a little anxious before shift because I am walking into the unknown.Until that time comes, make use of your charge nurse if you are going under, and take good care of yourself outside of work.

my first year of nursing was miserable. Looking back, I can see that I did it to myself. One day I realized that absolutely NO ONE had died while in my care and I had not broken any laws or rules. Then I began to relax. Try teaching a new hire the tricks of the trade. That will get the focus off you, and it will confirm your own competency!

The first year is the toughest...((HUGS)). I still get the willies every now and then when I hear mass casualty of MVC with multiple and they are kids...it's natural. you need a good brain sheet.......here are a few. mtpmedsurg.doc 1 patient float.doc‎ 5 pt. shift.doc‎ finalgraduateshiftreport.doc‎ horshiftsheet.doc‎ report sheet.doc‎ day sheet 2 doc.doc

My prereqs are finally done and I apply to NS this fall so no direct experience myself, but I tend to get anxious and I totally see myself having these same anxieties. Quote from classicdameOne day I realized that absolutely NO ONE had died while in my care...

I do sometimes - when I was newer, if I thought I might get floated or get an admission right off the bat, I would be dreading work, and come into work dragging my feet. It would cast a big shadow of doom over my entire shift. I think with time and experience it goes away, for most people.

Maybe you could ask your PCP about an SSRI for anxiety? I tried multiple SSRIs until I found something that worked really well for my anxiety (Effexor, which is technically an SNRI). I couldn't function in my job without my meds!

Quote from ktlizMaybe you could ask your PCP about an SSRI for anxiety? I tried multiple SSRIs until I found something that worked really well for my anxiety (Effexor, which is technically an SNRI). I couldn't function in my job without my meds!

I had horrible anxiety when I was new at nursing. I still get nervous when I start a new job or I know it's going to be a horrible day. The main thing is to learn how to cope with the stress once you're done with your day.. Sometimes it's a drink, a workout, a good comedy, venting to my hubby, or spending time with my furry four legged child.

Quote from xoemmylouoxI had horrible anxiety when I was new at nursing. I still get nervous when I start a new job or I know it's going to be a horrible day. The main thing is to learn how to cope with the stress once you're done with your day.. Sometimes it's a drink, a workout, a good comedy, venting to my hubby, or spending time with my furry four legged child.

(Hint: you keep putting one foot in front of the other and one day you notice you are walking without thinking about your feet.)Some of you have heard me tell this story before. I was several years out of school and had been staff in this fabulous ICU for three, and I was actually pretty good at it. One day I was in the break room with Sarah, a nurse of more than a decade's experience in the unit, one who could take every kind of patient that rolled up the hall, who was never flustered, always expert, always willing to teach and explain. I asked her when I would stop feeling scared when I sat in report. She smiled and said that every day before report started she felt a pang of anxiety, but that it passed when she started working. She said that when that little stab of fear went away she would have to go somewhere else, because it's what keeps us awake and sharp. I never, ever forgot that (and here I am telling that story again, smumble-mumble years later), and I am happy to pass it along to you.

Quote from GrnTea(Hint: you keep putting one foot in front of the other and one day you notice you are walking without thinking about your feet.)Some of you have heard me tell this story before. I was several years out of school and had been staff in this fabulous ICU for three, and I was actually pretty good at it. One day I was in the break room with Sarah, a nurse of more than a decade's experience in the unit, one who could take every kind of patient that rolled up the hall, who was never flustered, always expert, always willing to teach and explain. I asked her when I would stop feeling scared when I sat in report. She smiled and said that every day before report started she felt a pang of anxiety, but that it passed when she started working. She said that when that little stab of fear went away she would have to go somewhere else, because it's what keeps us awake and sharp. I never, ever forgot that (and here I am telling that story again, smumble-mumble years later), and I am happy to pass it along to you.