Perfect for performance in high stress healthcare!!!
I work night shift as a nurse in neonatal intensive care. I am most often in the role of charge nurse or unit resource, assisting the mid-levels, responding to emergencies, or called on as a last resort for those tricky IVs or blood draws. To say the least, it is a high stress, sometimes high adrenaline, high pressure environment with minimal resources on the night shift. It often feels as though it all comes down to me, which as an introvert and risk averse person, I dread. In the past year, I've noticed my sensitivity to adrenaline increasing and I found myself shaking uncontrollably when called on for ivs and sticks. It was mortifying holding an iv catheter to a tiny little baby while shaking violently, all with an audience. And the more it happened the more headsy I got about it, and the worse it became. I started to feel like my skills and career were ruined and it was keeping me up at night and causing anxiety even when not at work. Then I saw an ad for kick health catering to introverts in high pressure environments and I figured what the hell, I truly have nothing to lose at this point. Well, let me tell you, those little orange pills have saved my dignity, my confidence, and my career. When I know I'm likely to get called in, I take one pill approx 30 minutes ahead. I still get nervous, but without the physical manifestations, no more shaking, and no more embarrassment. And with time, my confidence is improving and I'm starting to lose the overall dread and anxious response that I was starting to manifest with every iv stick. It's improving so much, that I'm sure, in time, I won't even need the little pills anymore as I'll no longer have an automatic adrenaline surge as it's already improved immensely. I'm now more likely to put myself out there and make myself available for even the most difficult sticks with family, staff, and providers watching. If you're in the medical field and on the fence, just do it! It will change your life!