Getting back into nursing-- so much anxiety!

I am coming back into nursing after a 6 year break and am finding myself overwhelmed by anxiety. I'm so worried that I'm going to mess up! Has anyone else been through this and survived?
a lot of nurses have come back into nursing in this economy, you'll be fine.

The main changes you'll see are all the electronic systems, especially computer charting, and the emphasis so many facilities put on 'customer service'.

Yes. I returned to nursing after being out for fifteen years. I felt like a dinosaur at times and was very unsure of myself in clinical settings. While many things had changed, I found that the knowledge that was the foundation of nursing was still very much the same and once I felt more confident, I became more competent in practice. I took an independent study refresher course through South Dakota State University, which helped tremendously. There are other refresher courses available online (maybe even through that particular school) as well as courses in community colleges. The only disadvantage I found to taking a refresher course independently is that I had to design and plan my own clinicals. After being away from nursing for so many years, I think I would have benefitted from having more of a traditional clinical experience with other refresher students. I definitely would have benefitted from having a peer group of other nurses going through a refresher course because it would have been good to have had known I wasn't alone in going back to nursing.

I feel that way everyday I go to work.

I was an ICU RN for ten years, left for ten years to open and run a business, and then went back to ICU nursing. I was with a preceptor for 4 weeks and I did great. It comes back quickly.

Thank you all for responding. I am finding that I'm second guessing myself on everything, even things that aren't difficult. I just have to build up my confidence, I guess. Probably time will help with that. I really like the idea of doing a refresher course, especially the clinical aspect. For those of you that did that, how did you set up the clinicals? Did you just call places you thought would be good and ask if they'd let you do it? I wonder if nurse managers would let me shadow if I wasn't actually in an official refresher program. I know, basically, what I'd like to do because I want to go back into oncology. Thanks again everyone!

I was out for almost 5 yrs and went back 7 months ago. It came back quickly. The only thing that has changed is the computer meds and charting on a computer. There are some new gadgets out there, but you'd have to learn those no matter where you went. You'll do fine. Just take a deep breath. (((HUGS)))

For those of you who have gone back, was it hard to find a job? Did you return to your previous specialty?

I am going back to and feel the same way as you! I have been away 2 yrs.The agency I have worked with on and off for many years and knows my prior work history will put me right back to work.But I am freaked out and studying and just do notfeel confident as yet. Maybe tomorrow.Once before I was away for a year.I went to work through any agencyand they sent me to acute rehab unit.On this occasion I just kept telling myself...you havedone all of this thousands of times! just forget the timeand go do it again.On this occasion it was fine...in fact I was given an "excellent" bycharge. But for some reason I am really second guessing myself right now.So for inspiration I am repeating a Dr Seuss quote:Most questions are complicated, most answers are simple.This is my thoughts on it for today...And maybe tomorrow I will just....GO

Quote from GrahamsmamaThank you all for responding. I am finding that I'm second guessing myself on everything, even things that aren't difficult. I just have to build up my confidence, I guess. Probably time will help with that. I really like the idea of doing a refresher course, especially the clinical aspect. For those of you that did that, how did you set up the clinicals? Did you just call places you thought would be good and ask if they'd let you do it? I wonder if nurse managers would let me shadow if I wasn't actually in an official refresher program. I know, basically, what I'd like to do because I want to go back into oncology. Thanks again everyone!

That sounds like exactly the kind of program I would like to do. Thank you for this information. Now I just have to find the right program! In the meantime, I'm doing flu shot and travel vaccine clinics. I've kept my license active and have done nursing related volunteering the whole time, but I do think a refresher would help me feel more confident and, probably, help nurse managers feel more confident about me!

Moogie - Absolutely loved your post as I am returning to nursing after being out for 14 years - stayed home with my children when they were little. I cannot imagine being on my own after just 4 weeks back into ICU...I'm on my 4th week now and still so much is new...new drugs, new docs, ?location of still many supplies. Did you really have only 4 weeks orientation before you were counted as staff? Any tips? My preceptor has been great...just a lot to discover. Thanks!