Nursing is often viewed as a ‘noble’ and ‘rewarding’ job. Though nursing is well-respected in the public eye, the massive stress and anxiety associated with it often go unnoticed. Social media and new outlets are saturated with stories about nurses quitting their jobs or leaving the profession altogether. Why? 

When I first became a nurse, I was naive to the amount of responsibility that came with the title. Many of my shifts were equivalent to staying afloat in a massive ocean. It was exhausting. I felt like no matter how efficient I tried to be, it just wasn’t enough. There was also the constant fear of making a detrimental mistake or forgetting to chart something important, workplace bullying (although I’ve encountered many kind and helpful colleagues), and hospital politics that were clear as mud. And let’s not get started on the lack of adequate resources and proper staffing.

It only took a few months after graduation for me to question my decision to become a nurse. Before I knew it, I was spending my days off filled with anxiety about the next shift! You may have experienced this at some point in your career if you are a nurse.

Why Did Nursing Give Me So Much Anxiety? 

• Long and Unpredictable Shifts: Outside of critical situations, the stress of being floated to a unit you have never worked on can cause anxiety. As nurses, we receive an extensive orientation on our home unit, but afterward, there is a chance that we’ll have to work on a different unit if they are short-staffed. So, on top of your regular duties, you must adjust to a new unit with a totally different workflow, often with no orientation. It took me quite some time to get used to this. In addition to this, working during the weekends and holidays took away from family events and milestones, a big sacrifice that nurses and healthcare workers regularly make. 

• Workload and Burnout: I had never expected to have anxiety in my early twenties as a new nurse, but it came quickly. Nursing involves high patient-to-nurse ratios, heavy workloads, and constant charting that detracts from direct patient care. The constant pressure to juggle multiple responsibilities can lead to burnout, which is closely tied to increased anxiety. Unfortunately, some work environments can be toxic, making it hard for overwhelmed nurses to ask for help or delegate tasks. This makes it difficult to maintain a healthy balance.

How Did I Let Go Of The Anxiety?

One thing I didn’t want to do was dwell in a situation that was affecting my mental health.

Switched Hospitals

The first thing I did was switch hospitals. Once I felt comfortable with my skills, I decided that a bit of change would do me some good. Workplace anxiety can stem from a toxic culture, issues with management or staffing, and lack of support. If you are dealing with any of these issues, you might want to re-evaluate your environment. Not everyone is able to switch hospitals, so looking into another unit might also make a difference. 

When I decided to leave, I didn’t tell anyone. Leaving your facility is a personal decision that shouldn’t be influenced by outside opinions. Your decision to leave may be met with resistance, depending on your work environment. And frankly, it’s not everyone’s business. Instead, wait until you have another offer and only bring up your decision when you feel ready. 

When giving your notice to your manager, please don’t bash the facility or the unit. You never know when you might encounter that person again. The nursing world is smaller than you think, and you don’t want to burn any bridges. 

Tried New Specialties

Don’t be afraid to test the waters in a different area of nursing if your specialty is giving you anxiety. There are so many options within nursing, so why stay in a specialty you don’t like? I went through three specialties and worked as a travel nurse before finding an area I liked. Even so, I continue to educate myself about other areas of nursing that might interest me in the future. Being open-minded and willing to learn will present helpful opportunities to you in the future.

Trying new specialties can benefit you in the long run by diversifying your skills, alleviating your anxiety, and making you a more versatile and adaptable nurse. Quality Assurance, Aesthetics, Pharmaceuticals, Outpatient Clinics, and OR/PACU are areas of nursing that may offer a more comfortable environment for those who are prone to anxiety. If you are considering switching specialties, look at it as an opportunity for you to gain a better work-life balance, ultimately bringing you closer to your future career goals. 

Took A Few Months Off

This is one of the best perks of being a travel nurse. If I was burned out, having the freedom to take time off between contracts felt like a light at the end of a long tunnel. I religiously took time off as needed and budgeted accordingly. This helped my mental health tremendously. But what if you can’t work as a travel nurse? There are still a few other options.

If you are dealing with anxiety, per diem nursing allows you to work as much or as little as you want without commitment. However, the caveat is that you don’t have any healthcare benefits, and there is always the chance that your shift can be canceled. 

Agency nursing allows you to work in your home location as an independent contractor. Agency nurses typically work at several hospitals within their geographic area. Like per diem, you’ll tell your agency when you are available to work. However, these hours are not guaranteed, and there’s always a chance that you’ll get canceled. Not all agencies offer insurance, so this is something that you’ll have to check independently. However, many nurses spend their entire careers as agency nurses with success, so this will depend on your personal goals. 

When working per diem or agency, the best thing to do is to work with more than one agency or facility. If one job gets canceled for the night and you need to work, you’ll have a backup option. 

Got A Side Hustle

Sometimes, the burnout is so bad that working in a different field is the best thing to do. At a point in my career, I wasn’t sure I still wanted to be a nurse. Instead of quitting completely, I dropped to per diem and worked at a salon. Although my stress levels dropped tremendously, I didn’t want to become complacent. During that time, I learned other skills that could help me make additional income from home so that I wouldn’t have to rely solely on nursing for work. Moreover, having multiple income streams in an emergency is always a good idea. 

Ask yourself: What are my interests outside of healthcare? What are some new skills that I wouldn’t mind learning? What other type of career would I be interested in? Do I have any hobbies that I can monetize online? 

So, Is Nursing Bad For People With Anxiety?

This career can be challenging for people with anxiety, depending on which specialty you choose. Just because you are a nurse doesn’t mean you have to work in acute care. There are less stressful areas to choose from. However, you have to know your limitations and act accordingly. Nothing is worth your mental health. 

Have you ever dealt with anxiety as a nurse? Let me know by leaving a comment below!