Anxiety after leaving work!

I am a new nurse with about 5 months experience. When I am at work I double and triple check everything I do. Every pill, injection, patch is checked over and over to make sure that it is the right dose, place etc. However when I leave work and come home I get a horrible feeling like I forgot something or that I gave the wrong thing. I check everything I do and I know I am giving the right med but I always question myself. Example: I give 4 units of insulin. I know I took the blood sugar. I know how many units to give. I check the bottle, the order, the name on the bottle before and after it is drawn up. Yet at the end of the shift I will go through the entire book and make sure everything is signed out and that the right amount of coverage was given. Sometimes I leave work and have to call back to make sure I but the right nitro patch on someone or to make sure I plugged the feeding back in. I KNOW that I did because I checked it and signed it but I still go home doubting myself. I am having major anxiety over this. I don't sleep well, I don't enjoy my life. I don't know if it the place I work. It is long term care and there are over 20 patients. The most is 32. I can't do 32 patients. I will be a reck. Could it be that I am the type of nurse that is better with less patients? What can I do to stop this? Any help is appreciated.
It's the place you work LTC. Here is something that might help. As soon as you get off work do something that separates you from work. Don't delay this do it immediately! Change clothes at work, get into your car and turn up the radio, stop and do a little window shopping, or, go right to the gym and workout for an hour preferably on a treadmill, or outside get sweaty! Go home take a hot shower and wash your hair, bake something, go see a movie...

I also struggled with a lot of anxiety when I began working as an RN. Not that I'm completely over it now, but a few things that have helped me are :1. Yoga/exercise in general.2. Going over my "game plan" with a preceptor or charge nurse to make sure it sounds okay, but not beating it to death once I've got my rhythm down.3. Like onaclearday says, letting work go once I leave. It's hard, but once you can master this, you'll feel so much better. If you have a difficulty leaving work at work, perhaps acute care would be better for you? That way, you don't have the same patients day after day, so it's easier to not worry/plan for the next time you'll be at work.

It's called being a new nurse. It will subside with more experience. As you gain confidence and familiarity with the residents, meds and routine, it starts becoming second nature. One day, all this newness, slows down and your perspective changes. Good luck! Peace!

Thank you. I just wish I wasn't such a mess when I leave work. I am thinking about resigning and trying to find a place where there are less patients, but then I wonder. Will it be any different? Will I still feel this way? I worked in another place before this one and I am still per diem there and I never felt this way.

Quote from NursePieThank you. I just wish I wasn't such a mess when I leave work. I am thinking about resigning and trying to find a place where there are less patients, but then I wonder. Will it be any different? Will I still feel this way? I worked in another place before this one and I am still per diem there and I never felt this way.

Too many responsibilities. If you have checked and found out that you did everything correctly, relax. Separate yourself from work, like someone else mentioned. Even if you do overlook something, you are human and there is not one nurse who does not make a mistake once in awhile. Many times I go home worrying about something, and darn it I get in trouble for something else, the thing I did not even know was going to be a problem. You did the best you could. Tomorrow is a new day.

I read your post several times and point out some critical parts I double and triple check everything I checked over and over horrible feeling I always question myself I will go through the entire book I leave work and have to call back I still go home doubting myself I am having major anxiety over this. I don't sleep well I don't enjoy my life. I don't know if it the place I work. I will be a reck. What can I do to stop this? Sounds so very painful - yes I know your a new nurse and sounds like your a very good one. Have you considered being evaluated for OCD? I mean absolutely no offense or ridicule in anyway. I do though wonder if there is not a basis for your anxiety and pain that is psychological and/or physiological in origin. Just a thought for you and hope it helps.Marc

I was the same way when I first started working as an RN 4 months ago. I finally got into a routine at work and it started to get better. Every once in a while I will still have a night when I get home that my brain won't shut off and I actually have dreams about work and wake up even more tired. I've noticed the more comfortable and confident I have become the better it has gotten. Maybe try making a list at the beginning of your shift and cross things off as you do them, that way you have a visual of what you have done. I'm a big fan of lists.

Quote from SilentfadesRPA I read your post several times and point out some critical parts I double and triple check everything I checked over and over horrible feeling I always question myself I will go through the entire book I leave work and have to call back I still go home doubting myself I am having major anxiety over this. I don't sleep well I don't enjoy my life. I don't know if it the place I work. I will be a reck. What can I do to stop this? Sounds so very painful - yes I know your a new nurse and sounds like your a very good one. Have you considered being evaluated for OCD? I mean absolutely no offense or ridicule in anyway. I do though wonder if there is not a basis for your anxiety and pain that is psychological and/or physiological in origin. Just a thought for you and hope it helps.Marc