Dealing with Anxiety | Nursing 

Hey everyone! This is a hard topic. I wanted to be open and honest about it, so the other day I just started filming. I've been dealing with anxiety most of my life and even though I have found solid ways to cope, it still creeps in at times. We all have our struggles ♡

I'm so glad you made this video! Anxiety is definitely a difficult emotion to deal with, but you can still be a successful nurse if you have anxiety! I was actually hospitalized for a month in 2017 for depression/anxiety, I hit rock bottom and it was a really dark time in my life. I had to temporarily quit school so I could get myself back on track. It was a long recovery process, but today I'm better than ever! I finished my pre-reqs in 2018, was accepted into a nursing program, and now I'm on my way becoming an LVN :)

Omg I can relate panick attacks started when I started nursing school is so scary

I loved the vulnerability of this video. Thank you for showing that someone who "has it all together" can have this hidden issue also.

This video is so reassuring. I’m two years in as an RN and I really had to find my niche since the hospital environment gave me extreme anxiety. I work in home health now which is much better for me but I still have times where I’m like “Am I doing this right? What if I gave the wrong med and didn’t notice?” I still have these moments almost everyday. The catastrophe thinking can really take a toll since you’re dealing with peoples lives and your license is on the line at all times.

I have been afraid to watch this video, honestly. I suffer from severe anxiety, panic disorder and PTSD and I was so scared this would trigger me. I’m surprised with how much it actually helped me. The doomsday thinking that you’re talking about is called “catastrophic thinking”, it’s a real thing & can be crippling. Thank you for opening up, just know anxious nurse to anxious nurse, I feel you.

Thought it was cute that your dog came over to comfort you :)

I can COMPLETELY relate. I've had anxiety for most of my life and it has definitely gotten worse with nursing school. I have panic attacks the night before EVERY clinical day. It's horrible.I'm on multiple medications for it too and it's still bad. I'm sorry you have to go through that.

Thank you for making this video, and you are so brave for being honest about your anxiety. I'm in nursing school, and most clinical days I have such terrible anxiety that I feel like I am going to break down and cry in the middle of clinical! Then I become very embarrassed and scared. A few weeks ago, I almost felt like maybe I am not cut out for nursing. Others always look so calm, and controlled. I look up to you, and how hard you work. Seeing that you deal with anxiety too puts into perspective that even far advanced nurses go through something similar too.

From someone who has the same exact physical symptoms related to anxiety, thank you for making me feel less alone. Xo

Thank you for feeling open to share this. I am also a RN and probably had some small anxiety most of my life but it really came to a head three years ago when I went to work full time (5 days a week). I was doing a job that I love but going from per diem to full time really took a toll on me and I developed severe physical symptoms--vomiting every day, constant nausea, dizziness, etc. and it took quite some time to figure out that it was anxiety and a feeling of being overwhelmed that was causing it. I lost weight, could not cook for my family and it was just awful. I felt like such a failure but had to recognize that full time was just not for me. Hugs to you!

Thank you for being open about your anxiety. I admire your candor regarding this topic. I have anxiety myself and I can definitely relate to your struggle. Its good to see that you were successful regardless and it gives me strength to continue on to reach my dreams.

This is very inspirational. I left ICU a few years ago because of my anxiety and have been revisiting going back. It’s nice to know I’m not the only who feels this way in a high pressure field. Thanks for this video!

Thank you for sharing, Rhianna! Wonderful to see honesty and vulnerability, especially from someone in the medical field. I'm glad you mention the physical symptoms in addition to the mental toil it takes to weather the storm. Your videos are great and it is a privilege to share in your story! Keep up the good work

I struggle so much with anxiety disorder, I’ve been having so many panic attacks, almost everyday, muscle tension, visually impairment, etc. 😭, stress has been trying to get the best of me! But I’m pushing through and going back to school to become an LPN and hopefully complete my BSN!! Thank you for talking about this and giving all of us some peace of mind, we love you and are here to go through this with you! NURSE POWER!!! 💓💓💓

I appreciate your honesty! I deal with anxiety as well, some times are worse than others. It really comes and goes in waves but it's always there. I think videos like this really help to normalize conversations about anxiety. I know so many people deal with anxiety at some point in their life but it still makes me nervous to open up about it. Thank you!!

Thank you for having the strength to show us this❤️

My gosh. These are my feelings. Thank you for sharing this. Thank you for being vulnerable. I can’t say thank you enough. Just know that you’re helping someone 💕💕

Anxiety’s really tough to deal with. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for posting this. It honestly helps a lot to know someone is struggling with the same thing. You're amazing 💞

So happy you shared! I think it’s hard for high achieving people to show that they are struggling because people on the outside think you have your life together. I totally relate being an ICU nurse and future CRNA. You’re amazing! Never forget that! Lie is hard we aren’t perfect. Take it Day by day and know tomorrow is a new opportunity to seize the moment and take a stride towards becoming the best version of yourself!

The amount of bravery it took for you to make this video is so much appreciated! The timing of this video is impeccable. I just finished my nursing program this past May, passed my boards in July, and I'm now working as a new grad nurse in an ED in a rural hospital. I remember thinking in nursing school that all I had to do was graduate and pass my boards and then it's smooth sailing from there, man was I way off!! I feel as if my anxiety is through the roof and everything you mentioned in this video I have been feeling and not really knowing how to deal with it. I can't thank you enough for sharing what and how you are dealing with and I will most definitely be trying out those links that work for you.

Thank you so much for making this video. I too struggle with anxiety and because people don't share their struggles with it very much, I feel very alone in it. So this was really good for me to watch, thank you.

I am about to graduate from nursing school and I relate to this very strongly! Appreciate your openness and honesty.

Omg I really appreciate this video!!! 🥺 I’ve had anxiety my entire life but my life goal is to work in surgery (one of my huge interests) as a CRNA but I always worry I won’t be successful because of my anxiety. You’re definitely not alone and I think no one cares that it’s not a happy video. You’re human & we appreciate that you are being so open and honest with us. Thank you so much - take care ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you so much for being so vulnerable and sharing this message with us. I really appreciate this

I have watched this video multiple times over the past year because you are an inspiration to me in so many ways. I am a senior in nursing school and graduate with my BSN in December. I have so much anxiety especially before and during clinical. I am so terrified to mess up or fail. My professors are great but do hand out tons of clinical failures. I'm in critical care this upcoming semester and I have been having physical symptoms since mid June when thinking about starting back to school. I love nursing and love school but I'm just so scared to fail or mess up. And I always end up doing fine. Ugh I relate to this feeling so much.

Thank you for sharing. I know how terrible anxiety can feel. Being caught in that negative head space is one of the worst feelings in the world. Just know you are not alone, and that it will too past. Someone once told me that a little anxiety every now and then is good, because it shows you care about something. And you are definitely a passionate person girlie💕. Maybe we are just really experiencing this crazy life we live in and not just going through the motions? It can be scary sometimes thinking of all the “what if’s” but we just need to remember that everything we go through makes the good times worth that much more 🙏🏽💕hang in there!! Keep faith. You’re doing great! ❤️👯

Thank you for making this video, I can appreciate how tough this video was to make

Wow, THANK YOU! This is pretty gold right here. On night shift and had a bad/weird flip recently while having a stretch off and literally can't drive on highways right now. It's weird but I feel like there an hormonal/blood sugar component to it. The physical symptoms are pretty legit too. You are a beautiful person for doing this.

Finding this video was a gift from above. Also a nurse. Went to the ER with panic. Thank you for posting this. You have helped so many people.

Thank you so so so so much❤❤❤ I really need it this! That's how I feel😭 especially working with doctors. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO!!!! you have helped me❤❤

Rhianna Ferial, I am so sorry that you have been experiencing anxiety. THANK you for creating this video IN THE MIDST of feeling anxious. You are quite COURAGEOUS! I am a part of your YOU TUBE audience family. I LOVE your family and the HUGE hearts that you & Jon have! I am a Christian and am an ordained pastor now for 15 years. FEAR is the ROOT cause of anxiety. I USED to be a fearful person in my 20's and 30's. I'm 58 yrs old now. During my Christian journey, I have grown, of course, in my belief of Jesus. I have a heart to help others just as you and Jon. However, how I, most times, help others is spiritual as opposed to practically or naturally. I have NO issues now with fear and, if necessary, will speak to anyone about anything in a respectful way. How I got free from fear has to do with my BELIEF in Jesus. Here is the summation (This process with me occured over many years as I was a young lady and experiencing the world and it's not so good activites) of what I did to get free from fear. It won't take you that long. I was rebellious and ignorant of my NEED for Jesus. 1. I INVITED Jesus into my life. I said and BELIEVED OUTLOUD this: "Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God and that God raised You from the dead. Come into my heart (your soul-your mind, will, and emotions), live in me and help me to live for You." 2. I started READING OUTLOUD the Bible especially at the book of Psalm 27 or Psalm 91. * I would read Psalm 27 so often, I memorized it without trying to memorize it. 3. I would PRAY the scripture from the Bible at 2 Corinthians 10:5. To pray that scripture, pray (just SAY outloud) this: "I cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God in me. I bring my every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ, in Jesus' Name, Amen." 4. LEARN about Jesus and the Bible. * I am willing to help you if you would like. Pls contact me through my RU-vid channel at Sheryl Curry or srcurry7@charter.net. I'm praying for you! -Sheryl

I love all your videos and I just barely saw this one. Thank you so much for sharing. I have to say that I struggle almost exactly the way you described. This is all new for just in the past few years and I’m struggling to figure it out. I try not to let my anxiety and worst case scenarios affect my life and relationships but it does sometimes

Thanks for this. It sounded like me. The anxiety does not affect my work and outlook in my life. I am positive person and very jovial and accessible to people and so they don't understand when I share my anxiety. Your methods of dealing with it is topnotch.

Thank you for talking about this. I struggle a lot with anxiety. Since I started nursing school my anxiety has been at it’s peak. Due to exams , social interactions , and just how stressful it is to know all the information in such a short amount of time. I’m worried that once I become an RN my anxiety will get in the way. I overthink too much and get anxious randomly. Becoming a nurse is my dream but even now it is hard for me to shut out the bad thoughts and anxiousness.I am still trying to work on it. Thank you for being open. I love your videos and they keep me going. 😊

Thank you so much for sharing! I am so so glad I am not alone in this

Wow, I can relate to everything single thing you said. Although I don’t wish anxiety on anyone, it helps to know you’re not alone.

This is so relatable! I am a pure optimistic person, but I have lived with anxious feelings since I was 14. It sounds so similar to yours with an added layer of extreme GI upset. The physical symptoms I experience almost make me feel like a hypochondriac and that’s when I know I’m in a tailspin. Thanks for the advice!

this is AMAZING! im late to watch it but this makes me feel like im not alone

Thank you for being so vulnerable. ♥️♥️ hugs.

Although I’m sad that you had to struggle through a video this way, it really helped to see that someone I look up to a lot (since you seem to be owning this whole anesthesia thing) manage anxiety since this was a big reason I have thought that I wouldn’t be able to make it through nursing or anesthesia. I hope you feel better!

Everything you said that you followed up with “I don’t know if that made sense”, IT MAKES SENSE. I know exactly what you’re talking about. It’s so real and I totally get you

I know how you feel because I've been there SO many times. Listening to your story brought tears to my eyes. Lots of love from Australia, nursing sister. I also love how your doggo came in to give you some kisses.

Thank you for this honest video. I have suffered from anxiety my entire life and I am interested in becoming a Nurse and would like to work in the ICU but I am so afraid that my anxiety will get in the way since I am a worse case scenario type of person also. Thank you for the inspiration🤗

Oh goodness this video just spoke to me! I’m actually in the process into going into a nursing program. However, I’m diagnosed with Lupus and anxiety is really our greatest enemy. Mmmm don’t know how to explain it but when I get anxiety about a test it’s such a horrible feeling! I have learned ways to help me like: wearing a WATCH on test day. Our classes didn’t have a clock so I always found that make me very nervous. Don’t PROCRASTINATE. I know that’s something we hear all the time in school but honestly get a CALENDAR and know that you have to do the assignment 2 days before due date. anyways this video spoke to my life just cause again anxiety is such an ugly feeling, I literally break out in hives all over. I’ve been scared of what program to consider. I have all the classes to literally look into a BSN program but because I’m scared of anxiety I’ve even gone down to looking into LVN programs... I guess I can add to the video by saying yes it might take longer. But if you really want it you have to really work hard to get it. Some might work harder than others but they all come out saying, “it was worth it!” ! Another thing don’t let you weaknesses or fears stop you from succeeding or reaching your goals. Like I said I’ve looked into LVN programs cause I’m so scared of the pressure but this video I feel like I can do it. I really need to just go after it and whatever doors open will open and whatever doors close they will close. Don’t get me wrong there is absolutely nothing wrong with going into an LVN program but I have literally all the classes to go into a BSN program why would I waste more time and money taking that route. But even then... hell if your in my shoes and think LVN is just a better way to work with you anxiety do it. But DO IT! I know this is such a stupidly long msg and like I would, maybe y’all will just quickly scroll and skim through my post. But I just had to say this cause this is something hard to cope with.

Thank you. This helped me. New nurse here who can relate. You’re awesome!!

Ugh, I just want to hug you girl! We do all have our struggles... ❤️

Really needed this. Your such an inspiration!!

Thank you for sharing this. I admire you for being so brave. It was hard for me to watch this because I feel the same way. I don’t feel alone. I keep it to myself because I feel like my family or friends don’t understand. Or I can’t explain it for them to understand.

I appreciate how emotionally honest you are with us! I feel you’re my distant sister or something lol! I will be praying for your peace of mind and soul and may God Bless You!

I deal with the same thing. I had it before nursing school and as a nurse I’m able to understand and like you said, prevent a exacerbation. I learned to take control and tell it to stop and refuse to let my mind freak out even when I feel like I’m in a dysrhythmia- that works sometimes. Prayer Is my key Bc I relate it to some sort of spiritual attack. I’m glad I’m not the only one. It’s a dark place but we have the power. 💜

Thank you so much for sharing ❤ this is what I go through ❤

This hit home for me. I'm 30 and have worked in the medical field for 5 years. I have had anxiety since middle school and like you, there is no source. My heart and chest ache and if I touch the area, it is actually sore! I've been on medication for it, but it still creeps up. I feel like I can't catch my breath and I don't want to leave my house. Some people don't understand it. I've been diagnosed with panic disorder. You are not alone! Thank you so much for your videos and for sharing such a sensitive subject with those of us that follow your videos♡♡ The Headspace app is helpful! I wish you peace

I don’t know how it feels to have anxiety, or major depression, but I think what I can say is, “we love and accept each and everyone of you out there”. We love you in every way, shape, form or state of mind. I’m glad you reached out, I hope everyone feels like they can talk to someone.

A lot of times when you care so much about your life and your dreams and where you're at and how to get there and what you're doing your fear hit you at a point where it feels like as big as your dreams because you you're coping is really good. I know everybody goes to it they just deal with it differently I have to pray to God when that happens to me. What you're going through is very normal. And I want to tell you you are doing an amazing job amazing and you will reach your dreams I don't care how hard you think it is or how hard it is to become that person for you to work that hard to accomplish your dreams but they're yours and you're going to have you are incredibly smart and you have a big heart and you have a lot of people that love you the support system is incredible you are very blessed and so many ways there's no way you can fail just know that I love your blog's you are so strong thank you for sharing.

Thank you for sharing about something so personal such as anxiety because so many people are dealing with anxiety or depression... glad to see that there’s hope in the midst of it all 👍🏾✊🏾

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this. Because I really thought that you don’t feel any nervous or anxious at all. It gives me hope and encouragement. I admire you for getting into CRNA program and you are doing well. I’m working at Cardiothoracic ICU right now and I am still learning at lot. I thought of Going for CRNA but I am nervous and anxious if I can sustain the program. i am not a good test taker lately and a little bit slow. I already passed CCRN, CMC and reviewing for CSC and will take it next month.

This maybe one of your best videos. Many of us probably wish we had the great attitude and get up and go attitude as you. You sharing your anxiety issue is probably helping us more than your other videos. I believe more people have similar if not worst issues than what you are sharing. Worst of all, many are not aware of it. Hence, knowing is half the battle. No one is above life’s trials and tribulations. I believe the pressure and intensity of SRNA school, every day life, etc probably contributes to over 80-90% of this. Regardless, I’m glad you are able to deal with it. Most of all, thank you very much for sharing this with us. You rock! You got this! We all look forward to your completion of SRNA school. I know I’ll miss your videos. But wishing you the best!!

Thank you for sharing 💜 Ive always had anxiety but recently it's been at it's worst. What's helped is trying to distract myself, also exercises on Pinterest are helpful and my doctor has been helping me figure out a medicine that'll work for me. I hope this gets better for you!!!!!!

Thank you for sharing this. I have depression with anxiety and you make sense. And I don't feel alone as much now. ❤ thank you for sharing

Thank you for sharing this video. I've been dealing with a lot of anxiety lately and was second guessing my career as a nurse.

Thanks so much for sharing this with everyone and being so open. I appreciate you talking about this difficult subject. I was able to get off my anxiety medication recently and am doing okay...but the fear of it getting worse is always in the back of my mind. There's always good and bad days of course. Guided meditation helped me too.

Comforting to know that another nurse is going through exactly what I'm going through to a T. I work in a hospital and almost every shift I end up In the ER because I'm tachy, feel dizzy and lightheaded. Chest discomfort. Seriously the worst feeling on the planet !! Thank you so so much for talking about this. And opening up. If I had a RU-vid channel I would do exactly the same. Dont ever be ashamed or feel insecure about your anxiety. 1 out of every 4 people you walk past has anxiety. And those are people who have been diagnosed. So I'm sure its 1 out of every 2. Your strong, your brave, your beautiful and I'm so proud of you for speaking about anxiety and nursing. Nursing is it's own struggle. Dont get me started on that. : ) use essential oils, magnesium, water, and prayer

Thank you so much for sharing!

This is me. Thank u for sharing.

Thank you so much for sharing this was very helpful and reassuring.

I cannot explain how much I relate to this

This video made me feel so much better with myself. i have awful anxiety & want to go into medicine. thank you for this! ps love your vlogs!!!!!! definitely post more!! 💜💜💜💜💜

I appreciate your honesty, anxiety is so real and hard for other's to understand sometimes. I can relate. Tfs

Kudos for being so brave to talk about it! Talking helps a lot and know you're not alone. #endthestigma

Thank you for sharing this!!!

Awe watching you anxious made me sad but at the same time so proud of you 😀 you're doing great and honestly one of my role models. Personally I struggle more with depression, it's a gloom that just lingers all day and if i could lay in bed and stare at the ceiling for days I would but I try to fight it off as well. Anyway I always seem to find myself watching your vids when I should be studying for a test so I'm going to go do that now 😝

I had a friend who had heart problems and had to wear some type of patches on his chest. His hands used to shake a lot, like a constant tremor. He also drank a lot and smoked cigarettes, but when my friend and I smoked weed with him his hands stopped shaking. Can’t explain it but I mean it happened. I didn’t have a terrible childhood but it wasn’t great. Being around my mom gave me pretty bad symptoms of anxiety, i turned to drugs like weed to cope. I started watching your videos recently because my goal is to become a nurse, I wanted to kick the habit so I could make straight A’s, hearing you say you made straight A’s in nursing school makes me want to do it to. It’s nice you share this because It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who feels like this.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. It’s very hard to even explain it thanks for trying. I began taking medication because the anxiety got really bad. So right before doing something dumb or not being to function in school or work consider medication.

I feel you. My anxiety was so bad that I was afraid of going to public places, i feared quiet rooms, and I feared the first day of school. Walking/cardio helps me to calm down. I walk 3 hours outside before an important exam. It sucks... I wish humans didn’t feel anxiety/fear.

You are not alone! I get the same way. Try essential oils! Sometimes I’ll use them and my anxiety instantly goes away.

omg, this is me as well, I'm always about the worst case scenario and i just cannot help it. Being aware of this issue really makes it worse and I constantly doubt myself, applying for Nursing school and I really wonder if I can handle it. The palpitations are the worst but deep breathing techniques have really helped me a lot. Thank you for sharing your story, I thought I was the only one who thought that way.

Thank you so much for this ♥️

Thank you for sharing!

Hi Rhianna, I met my friend, Mr. Anxiety when I started working 2 jobs as a nurse. I would run for miles to try to leave Mr. Anxiety behind, till he catches up again lol. Thanks for sharing, this was powerful.

I just recently got into the ICU as a new grad. I really want to travel nurse after I get experience and ride that out until CRNA school. I’ve been following your account for a few months now and love it! I literally have been looking up to you and been inspired on multiple occasions to believe I can work towards becoming a competent icu nurse and even a CRNA one day. Confidence, positivity, and intelligence shines through you in your videos. I have anxiety that is, sometimes, not so bad, but sometimes crippling. And When its bad it manifests in believing that I’m not good enough to accomplish my goals (and other not so fun symptoms). In saying that I am so appreciative of you making this video and sharing your experiences with anxiety. It gives me hope. You are so strong for this and all your other accomplishments. Thank you so much. 😊

I can relate this is how I feel when I book a shift at the hospital that I am doing a prn contract at.

Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for sharing , I found your channel looking for tips on fitness and night shift nursing . I too suffer from boughts of anxiety , and it helps to know others suffer from it and we can share with one another. I completely understand, the ind going to the worse case scenario, I also fake it well , my husbands see it . Thank you for the tips, and I love all your videos

You are so brave and strong! Thanks for sharing. Your dog is so sweet giving you hugs lol.. hang in there and talk to us whenever you need to. 😉

Don’t fight it just accept it as it is and process your feelings in the present and they will dissipate like clouds soon after

Thank you so much for making this video💕 it’s a head topic that people hardly talk about but it happens to a lot of students. Since starting nursing school my anxiety symptoms have been exactly as you have described yours. Since others never say anything I always thought that maybe it was just a problem with me. Knowing that it effects other nursing students and that it does get better motivates me to fight through it and work harder to overcome it. Thank you❤️

I 100% feel you on the anxiety thing. I used to work nights 7 on 7 off in a CVICU 50 minutes from my home. I did that for about two and a half years before I decided to make a change. The job was high stress because of the acuity, but I really enjoyed the challenge and learning the skill set. But pair that with the nearly two hours on the road daily, plus nights, plus a seven day rotation, and it got to be a little much. I hated driving so much that I didn’t really care to drive at all on my days off. I could be listening to ESPN radio, completely focused on what they were saying, but as soon as my tires hit the interstate I could feel my heart rate pick up. It was completely subconscious. Similar to your anxiety, mine has very physical manifestations. I get light-headed like my sugar is low. I have trouble swallowing my food because my mind is telling me my throat is closing. I even get a little short of breath if it’s really bad. But the crazy thing is that it never shows on the outside. People say that I’m even keeled. Coworkers ask me how I manage to stay so chill during codes. I never tell them that sometimes I feel like I’m going to pass out or that I’ve felt on the verge of a panic attack. Anxiety is a bitch. But anyways, I ended up taking a job close to home working days in the ER. It’s pretty chill, and I still get to flex those critical care skills once in a while. It was a great choice for me and my mental health. Thanks for sharing your story!

God bless you!!!! You did a wonderful job explaining how you’re feeling! I suffer from anxiety and depression and I have the hardest time trying to explain how I feel. You’re so brave and strong. This was very inspiring for me ❤️

I saw this video when I was feeling super anxious and it helped to much to know that I am not alone. Thank you so much for sharing this, I know it wasn't easy. My anxiety is very similar to yours in terms of worst case scenario and physical problems. I recommend the Pacifica app that has a ton of free mediations all with specific topics and tools to help work out problems or just a place to analyze your thoughts in an objective way. It's helped me so much and it lets me keep track of my progress. Best of all its free lol. I would definitely check it out if you can!

Uhh I’ve been feeling the same way. Glad to know it’s definitely real and tough

Ive had anxiety and depression for 13 yrs since nursing school. I have panic attacks and hate how draining it is. No energy, no rhyme or reason, and mood swings 👎🏻 i get it completely

I appreciate your honesty. Hang in there lady! Pray for comfort! Hope it helps. Hugs!

Also when I exercise, I get used to my heart beating fast. & I know nothing is wrong and it’s because I am working out! Working out has really helped my anxiety

Thanks for sharing this. I also deal with both on occasion and is part of the reason I was attracted to psych nursing. I too have tried meds but don't like the way they make me feel which was numb. I would rather be anxious or depressed at times than just numb all the time. I like what you said about just feeling it and allowing it. That's something I also realized is that no one is happy 100% of the time and I know sometimes I'm going to not feel so good. Also reminding myself that the feelings will pass. Working out and staying physically active helps me as well and also trying to have some people in my life that I keep in contact with helps as I tend to isolate during those times. I enjoy your videos and wish the best for you!

Dear Rihanna, thank you so much for this powerful share. Clearly, it took courage to be able to express yourself do honestly, and it is so helpful for others who are experiencing these symptoms (as the comments below suggest). I want to also thank you for doing the incredible work of nursing, and I am certain that you are not alone in your experiences. I would like tell you about a trauma-healing and resilience modality called Somatic Experiencing. It works with the physiology of the autonomic nervous system to help the system complete threat responses. Once complete, our bodies can take up the work of healing, which is innate within our body. Much of the symptoms you are describing here can be worked with through this modality, and I have seen it provide incredible relief and resilience both in my life and in the lives of the people I work with. I am telling you because it might be a resource for you. Thank you again for sharing your experience, we all need to normalize this as part of being human beings.

Mate I'm an RN of 10 years who just moved to the states from Canada. I suffer from severe anxiety my whole like from many factors. I'm orientating and I feel like I can't breathe and I'm going to puke all day, no confidence, and no sleep. I got in trouble for being on my phone yesterday and tomorrow I have my four week review and my mind is spinning out of control. I'm a 44 yr old dude, gym rat, confident in conversation and I'm dying inside. Even consider ending it bc I can't deal with this constant feeling if suffocating and doom.

Thanks for sharing something so personal Rhianna. I’m glad you’re feeling better! I have much milder anxiety but it still proves to be burdensome sometimes. Of course I wish no one had to suffer with anxiety, but it’s sometimes nice to know I’m not alone. We aren’t going to let it stop us :)

OMG I can relate to you so much I get what you feel.. I'm currently taking medical microbiology, my last class before I apply to nursing school. I've been going to anxiety like symptoms and its making me wonder if I can be a nurse with anxiety. It scares me.