Depressed RN- maybe nursing isn't for me?

I've been a nurse for 2 years and haven't enjoyed it most of the time unless I was teaching parents in NICU. Just got dx'ed w/ major depressive d/o. I can't figure out if just haven't found my niche or nursing just isn't for me. I feel like i've yet to find a job that I've enjoyed. I got HTN during nursing school and it's back again, now w/anxiety too. I think it's partly b/c I'm doing charge nurse duty now. What can I do so I don't have to do bedside nursing? I hate to waste the time I've put in to becoming a RN.
Who gave you the diagnosis of major depressive d/o? Seems like you should start there. One of the hallmarks of deep depression is that you lose your perspective. Everything is colored by the gray (or black) feelings. Please, confer with a competent and skilled therapist/psychiatrist. You may need to be on meds. You probably also need to talk with someone.Some view depression as weakness and just try to "rise above" it or talk themselves out of it. This is rarely a good idea. Why? Because when you're sufficiently depressed, trying to treat yourself is like trying to pull yourself out of quicksand by tugging on your own hair. You need the "leverage" of someone else to take you where you just can't go on your own. Before you change jobs or close doors, please, see someone to help you with this. It may not be the external circumstances but the internal malaise and discomfort that have you feeling hopeless. It could be both, but, whatever you do, get help, and don't try to figure this all out by yourself.Stay in touch with us, and let us know how you're doing. PM me if you'd like. Take care.

I know when I had episodes of depression, it did color everything black. I could always find something to be sad about, even things like Christmas. Don't make any life changing decisions until you get help and treatment for your depression and have a better perspective. Good luck! Depression sucks. If you want to talk message me. :heartbeat

I was dx'ed by a psychiatrist who prescribed Wellbutrin. I've been on anti-depressant before ( I assumed it was due to my now ex husband). I saw a psychologist about 2 weeks later and cried and cried during the intake interview. I've never done that before as I'm a private person. I have alot going on in my life (mom w/ financial problems and negative personality, husband w/ depression but thinks ge can handle it, x-husband married to my former best friend who are both critical of me/parenting, working for the county as an RN and management stinks, grandmother in bad shape and mother leaning on me alot, etc. I felt like I had reached my breaking point. The psychologist said I needed to take 2-3 weeks off work and take care of myself. I have a couple of days leave, but worry about how a dr's letter saying I need 2-3 weeks off would look to future employers. The responsibilty of being an RN has stressed me out more than my time in the military! So I think I have talked to the"right" people I think and assume their dx is correct as they are both highly experienced professionals.

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So I think I have talked to the"right" people I think and assume their dx is correct as they are both highly experienced professionals.

Hey, Babblingbrook, I can relate. I was officially diagnosed with depression several years ago, but I know it had been exsisting and undiagnosed and untreated for many years prior to that. I was taking 2 different antidepressants at one time, then I began to be in denial once it seemed everything in my life was going ok....as a nurse I knew better...I stopped taking the meds and months later hit rock bottom. It was affecting my life as a nurse. I am noticing this is staring to happen again.....as far as I am concerned I LOVE my career, but I am overworked; I work overtime and weekends every single week because my facility is short staffed at the moment. How is your schedule at work? Do you work more than 3 days per week on a consistant basis? When was the last time you took time off for yourself and took a trip to get away from it all?

The Best friend and husband bit is enough to put one in depression. Sorry that happened to you. I think it would be unfair of you to culimate everything to nursing.You have had a host of not-so-good things happen to you and you just happen to be an RN. So it may or may not be the job that's causing this depression. It may just be life itself and its deal on you.I like that you recognised it and too action. Changing the profession will not automically change the diagnosis. Granted it will definitely help. But it has to start from the inside, in order to bring a more positive outlook on life.Maybe you've lost the things you could lose, now stand up to those things. See things in their proper perspective. Your bf is no longer your bf, she is your ex-hubby's wife. You might want to start referring to her that way. Maybe it will lessen the pain of it. You Mum with a negative personality, you may want to put at a distance for a while, timed over the phone conversations. I'm all for family, but have you ever noticed, how when you stay around someone's who's negative all the time, you end up so tired and depressed yourself?Until you get yourself together, you're not at your very best for anyone else. Im my thoughts and prayers.

"There comes a moment each day when we must simply drop what weighs on us and hand it over to God."May the Lord bless you with what you pray for...Reward you with what you work for...Grant you with what you hope for...And above all,Surprise you with what you have not asked for."__________________________________________________ _I understand how you feel babblingbrook, you're just pressed down and sidewards and it really feels terrible. But, listen to me, you're still alive, breathing, not just in the right perspective and emotional state. Your life doesn't end with all those problems. There are times when we feel hopeless, powerless in our situation, but let's ask ourselves, who else will help me with this kind of situation? Ask God for strength that you will be able to stand and move on. You're not the only person experiencing those problems, there are millions out there and the key is already in your hand. Don't let those negative thoughts further ruin your life, fill it with positive ones.It's not an accident that you've become a nurse. You're there for a purpose. If you don't want to be in the NICU then try to transfer to other departments. We always have a choice and we could always choose what's better or worse for us. Don't dwell in the past, there's so much ahead of you if you'll focus your mind on it. You may not always get what you want but try to thank God for the things that you have including your life and health, and that you're not one of the patients lying there waiting to be cured. Forgive me if I sounded like someone who's that close to you to tell you these things. I'm just concerned about you. Being a nurse is a blessing, you're a blessing to those neonates and to their parents whom you have educated, coz I know that somehow you have touched their lives.

Quote from babblingbrookThe psychologist said I needed to take 2-3 weeks off work and take care of myself. I have a couple of days leave, but worry about how a dr's letter saying I need 2-3 weeks off would look to future employers.

Hey Babbling Brook,Possibly are you taking the work and emotional baggage home with you? Maybe you need to talk to someone? Have you tried support systems groups? I'm in one which has helped me with my ICU and ED experiences, let me tell you some things really to stick with you. If you are interested you can e mail me we can coordinate to talk [email protected]. Take a mental health day & go to the spa for a massage (temporary fix i know)...

Quote from Katie5The Best friend and husband bit is enough to put one in depression. Sorry that happened to you. I think it would be unfair of you to culimate everything to nursing.You have had a host of not-so-good things happen to you and you just happen to be an RN. So it may or may not be the job that's causing this depression. It may just be life itself and its deal on you.I like that you recognised it and too action. Changing the profession will not automically change the diagnosis. Granted it will definitely help. But it has to start from the inside, in order to bring a more positive outlook on life.Maybe you've lost the things you could lose, now stand up to those things. See things in their proper perspective. Your bf is no longer your bf, she is your ex-hubby's wife. You might want to start referring to her that way. Maybe it will lessen the pain of it. You Mum with a negative personality, you may want to put at a distance for a while, timed over the phone conversations. I'm all for family, but have you ever noticed, how when you stay around someone's who's negative all the time, you end up so tired and depressed yourself?Until you get yourself together, you're not at your very best for anyone else. Im my thoughts and prayers.

Quote from rn/writerWho gave you the diagnosis of major depressive d/o? Seems like you should start there. One of the hallmarks of deep depression is that you lose your perspective. Everything is colored by the gray (or black) feelings. Please, confer with a competent and skilled therapist/psychiatrist. You may need to be on meds. You probably also need to talk with someone.Some view depression as weakness and just try to "rise above" it or talk themselves out of it. This is rarely a good idea. Why? Because when you're sufficiently depressed, trying to treat yourself is like trying to pull yourself out of quicksand by tugging on your own hair. You need the "leverage" of someone else to take you where you just can't go on your own. Before you change jobs or close doors, please, see someone to help you with this. It may not be the external circumstances but the internal malaise and discomfort that have you feeling hopeless. It could be both, but, whatever you do, get help, and don't try to figure this all out by yourself.Stay in touch with us, and let us know how you're doing. PM me if you'd like. Take care.