Pre-Shift Anxiety

Imagine this: you’re going about your day, checking off your to-do list, feeling accomplished when suddenly it hits you like a surprise rain shower—tomorrow is a workday! A wave of anxiety washes over you, and your mind races with thoughts. Will I get a good assignment? Will everything go smoothly, or will tomorrow be a chaotic adventure?

I don't know about you, but I’ve been experiencing some serious pre-shift anxiety lately. Just when I think I’ve got it all together, I remember I have work the next day. My mind starts to whirl with questions: What will my assignment be? How will the team be? Will we be short-staffed? What surprises await me tomorrow? It feels like a never-ending carousel of thoughts spinning in my head!

But here’s the good news: Through TikTok and the wonderful nursing community, I’ve discovered I’m not alone in this! Many new grad nurses are navigating the waters of pre-shift anxiety, too. While nursing school prepares us to ace the NCLEX, it doesn’t quite equip us with the tools to manage those anxious feelings when we step into the bustling hospital environment.

One bright light that has helped me manage my pre-shift jitters is realizing how much I can control. I remind myself that I will do my best with the knowledge and resources I have, and that’s all anyone can ask for! Anxiety often creeps in when we feel uncertain or out of control, and let’s face it—healthcare can throw us some curveballs that are beyond our control.

What truly matters is that I focus on providing the best patient care I can and keeping my charting up to date. Those are the things I can control, and they help ground me amidst the chaos. So, let’s take a deep breath, embrace the unpredictability, and remember that we’re all in this together, doing our best one shift at a time!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7