The Calm Nurse

The Calm Nurse

From Dread to Confidence: 34 Simple Steps to Ease Shift Anxiety and Enjoy Nursing Again

Stop Dreading Your Next Shift

It's the night before your shift and your stomach aches. Your heart pounds. Your brain won't shut off. Sound familiar?

You're lying in bed replaying worst-case scenarios. Morning comes and before you've touched your coffee, your chest is already tight, your hands are shaky, and you're questioning if you can make it through another shift.

You're not weak. You're not failing. You're a good nurse who cares deeply—and that's exactly why the pressure feels so heavy.

The Problem Most New Nurses Face

Shift anxiety isn't just nervousness—it's debilitating. It shows up as:

  • Physical symptoms you can't ignore: nausea, dry heaving, racing heart, shaking hands, upset stomach

  • Sleep disruption the night before every shift while your mind runs through endless what-ifs

  • Constant self-doubt that makes you question whether you're cut out for nursing

  • The overwhelming feeling that maybe quitting is the only way out

  • A cycle that gets worse with each shift, not better

But what if I told you it doesn't have to be that way?

Introducing: The Calm Nurse

34 Tips to Ease Nurse Shift Anxiety

A practical, no-fluff guide written by an RN who gets it —and who has spent the last few years helping nurses go from anxious to confident. Experience the transformation from lying awake in dread, dry heaving before shifts, and questioning if you should quit—to walking through the door steady, prepared, and confident.

If you're experiencing physical anxiety symptoms (nausea, racing heart, shaking, upset stomach):

The guide teaches grounding exercises, breathing techniques, and morning routines that calm your nervous system before symptoms spiral.

If you can't sleep the night (or day) before your shift:

You'll learn sleep strategies, mental preparation techniques, and the early-arrival method that eliminates midnight what-if spirals.

If your chest feels tight and that pit in your stomach is constant:

Discover grounding techniques, and nutritional strategies that stabilize your mental and physical state.

If you're questioning whether you should quit:

Learn how to set realistic expectations, practice compassionate self-talk, and understand when anxiety is about skills vs. clinical anxiety disorder.

If your anxiety keeps getting worse, not better:

Get strategies for scheduling shifts to build confidence faster, post-shift recovery rituals that break the anxious cycle, and guidance on when professional help is needed.

If you're experiencing physical anxiety symptoms (nausea, racing heart, shaking, upset stomach):

The guide teaches grounding exercises, breathing techniques, and morning routines that calm your nervous system before symptoms spiral.

If you can't sleep the night (or day) before your shift:

You'll learn sleep strategies, mental preparation techniques, and the early-arrival method that eliminates midnight what-if spirals.

If your chest feels tight and that pit in your stomach is constant:

Discover grounding techniques, and nutritional strategies that stabilize your mental and physical state.

If you're questioning whether you should quit:

Learn how to set realistic expectations, practice compassionate self-talk, and understand when anxiety is about skills vs. clinical anxiety disorder.

If your anxiety keeps getting worse, not better:

Get strategies for scheduling shifts to build confidence faster, post-shift recovery rituals that break the anxious cycle, and guidance on when professional help is needed.

What's Inside:

MINDSET SHIFT:
Stopping the self-doubt spiral

MINDSET SHIFT:
Stopping the self-doubt spiral

  • Mindset shift that frees you from unrealistic expectations, and lets you grow at your own pace with less self-criticism.

  • Builds resilience and self-compassion that fuels growth instead of shame

  • Reduces fear of failure and builds trust in your future self (you're stronger than you think)

PRE-SHIFT ROUTINES: Walk in feeling steady and prepared

PRE-SHIFT ROUTINES: Walk in feeling steady and prepared

  • Calm pre-shift routines that make you feel prepared, capable, and grounded.

  • The controversial 30-minute early arrival rule that minimizes anxiety

  • Calm pre-shift routines that make you feel prepared, capable, and grounded.

  • The controversial 30-minute early arrival rule that minimizes anxiety

DURING A SHIFT:
Handle stress as it happens

DURING A SHIFT:
Handle stress as it happens

  • Grounding techniques to palpably reduce anxiety in seconds

  • How to prioritize when everything feels urgent

  • Charting strategies to avoid overwhelm

  • Phone call prep so provider calls don't terrify you

  • Grounding techniques to palpably reduce anxiety in seconds

  • How to prioritize when everything feels urgent

  • Charting strategies to avoid overwhelm

  • Phone call prep so provider calls don't terrify you

selective focus photography of pen
selective focus photography of pen
selective focus photography of pen

AFTER A SHIFT:
Release stress and recover properly

AFTER A SHIFT:
Release stress and recover properly

  • Decompression rituals that help you leave work at work

  • Journaling prompts to process difficult shifts

  • Cognitive distortion worksheets to challenge anxious thoughts

  • Guidance on when to consider therapy or medication for clinical anxiety

BONUS RESOURCES

  • Energy-boosting smoothie recipes perfect for busy shifts

  • Positive affirmation playlists for before/after work

  • Provider phone call prep and script

  • Journal prompts for post-shift processing

  • Cognitive distortion identification worksheet

Written By A Nurse, For Nurses

Hi! I'm Damaris.

I've been an RN for 7 years, and for the last 3 years, I've helped train and support new nurses in one of the busiest units in our medical center.

I've seen so many amazing, capable nurses struggle with shift anxiety—losing sleep, overthinking every detail, and doubting themselves before they even walk in the door.

I know how heavy that feels.

The tips in this guide are the same ones I used to help my nurses calm their nerves, build their confidence, and step into each shift ready to handle whatever came their way.

Now they're yours.

Hi! I'm Damaris.

I've been an RN for 7 years, and for the last 3 years, I've helped train and support new nurses in one of the busiest units in our medical center.

I've seen so many amazing, capable nurses struggle with shift anxiety—losing sleep, overthinking every detail, and doubting themselves before they even walk in the door.

I know how heavy that feels.

The tips in this guide are the same ones I used to help my nurses calm their nerves, build their confidence, and step into each shift ready to handle whatever came their way.

Now they're yours.

What Nurses Are Saying

Lindsey, RN

When I first started, I went to work every day anxious and scared of what might happen. The idea of caring for a ventilated patient terrified me, and I dreaded having to talk to doctors because I didn’t want to sound 'stupid.' If I had this guide back then, it would have made such a difference. The advice about preparing your information before calling a provider is so practical—it takes away so much of the fear and replaces it with confidence. I can see how having these strategies from the start would have helped me feel more capable and less overwhelmed.

Lindsey, RN

When I first started, I went to work every day anxious and scared of what might happen. The idea of caring for a ventilated patient terrified me, and I dreaded having to talk to doctors because I didn’t want to sound 'stupid.' If I had this guide back then, it would have made such a difference. The advice about preparing your information before calling a provider is so practical—it takes away so much of the fear and replaces it with confidence. I can see how having these strategies from the start would have helped me feel more capable and less overwhelmed.

Lindsey, RN

When I first started, I went to work every day anxious and scared of what might happen. The idea of caring for a ventilated patient terrified me, and I dreaded having to talk to doctors because I didn’t want to sound 'stupid.' If I had this guide back then, it would have made such a difference. The advice about preparing your information before calling a provider is so practical—it takes away so much of the fear and replaces it with confidence. I can see how having these strategies from the start would have helped me feel more capable and less overwhelmed.

Nicole, RN

As a new nurse, I would often feel anxious before my shift, unsure of how I was going to manage my time and the stress that came with the unknown. The tips in this guide helped me to find calm, confidence, and practical ways to stay grounded both before and during my shifts. It reminded me that I was never alone and that with the right tools, I could handle whatever came my way. This guide is relatable, encouraging, and full of wisdom that comes from real nursing experience and I would highly recommend it to any nurse who is looking to ease their anxiety and increase their confidence.

Nicole, RN

As a new nurse, I would often feel anxious before my shift, unsure of how I was going to manage my time and the stress that came with the unknown. The tips in this guide helped me to find calm, confidence, and practical ways to stay grounded both before and during my shifts. It reminded me that I was never alone and that with the right tools, I could handle whatever came my way. This guide is relatable, encouraging, and full of wisdom that comes from real nursing experience and I would highly recommend it to any nurse who is looking to ease their anxiety and increase their confidence.

Nicole, RN

As a new nurse, I would often feel anxious before my shift, unsure of how I was going to manage my time and the stress that came with the unknown. The tips in this guide helped me to find calm, confidence, and practical ways to stay grounded both before and during my shifts. It reminded me that I was never alone and that with the right tools, I could handle whatever came my way. This guide is relatable, encouraging, and full of wisdom that comes from real nursing experience and I would highly recommend it to any nurse who is looking to ease their anxiety and increase their confidence.

Your Investment in Peace of Mind

$14.99

Less than the cost of a single therapy session. More valuable than another sleepless night. The same strategies that helped countless nurses go from "I can't do this anymore" to "I've got this."

Less than the cost of a single therapy session. More valuable than another sleepless night. The same strategies that helped countless nurses go from "I can't do this anymore" to "I've got this."

You Belong Here.
Shift Anxiety Ends Here.
Confidence Starts Now.

You Belong Here.
Shift Anxiety Ends Here.
Confidence Starts Now.

This isn't about toughing it out or waiting for time to make it better. This is about having a roadmap when you're lost, a lifeline when you're overwhelmed, and practical tools that work when anxiety hits.

Let this guide be your support system.

This isn't about toughing it out or waiting for time to make it better. This is about having a roadmap when you're lost, a lifeline when you're overwhelmed, and practical tools that work when anxiety hits.

Let this guide be your support system.

This isn't about toughing it out or waiting for time to make it better. This is about having a roadmap when you're lost, a lifeline when you're overwhelmed, and practical tools that work when anxiety hits.

Let this guide be your support system.

Get Instant Access

$14.99

Get The Calm Nurse Guide Now

focus photography of brown plants
focus photography of brown plants