[Blove18]

So the last time I worked was in 2011 (3 years ago) as a cashier in a grocery store. I am 21 years old & I recently finished school in a short amount of time to be a dental assistant & recently finished my hours & passed my test to become a registered dental assistant (RDA). One big problem though I've always been anxious/nervous or have had some type of anxiety when it came to me working. The weird thing is I can be very social & friendly with no problem but at the same time nervous for example: when I use to be a cashier i'd get nervous to handle money therefore leaving me to be over/short on money In my cash register all the time. So now that I am a RDA I've accomplished all my steps but now I'm nervous to actually work, like with the dentist or handle the xrays in peoples mouths, this even happened to me when I was doing my clinical hours I was always scared to train when trying to do x-rays leaving me to not do them & never learned or practiced a lot. I even got nervous with the smallest things like working the computers to pull up info or weigh kids on the detecto scale. I'm worried that since I'm a brand new RDA with very little experience the dentist will expect me to know everything but he'll yell at me because I don't, or screw up on x-rays causing me to freak out In front of a person or a kid with a parent. I've always had this weird problem in my life, I don't know what it is but I just get so nervous when it comes to simple steps like this (that other people can do so easily). So it's been like 3 weeks now since I got everything done and I haven't applied anywhere because of my nervousness it's holding me back I hate it.

I just need some advice because I don't want to end up not working for years again I'm still so young. I would love to hear everyone's opinions and advice on this thing going on with me thank you very much.

The longer you put it off the worse it will get. Sometimes its better to just go for it, otherwise you'll never know. Once your there try to get better aquainted with the workplace and the people you will be working with. Maybe then, you won't be so nervous.

[roads]

Welcome to PsychCentral, Blove. You've done well to go to school and get the special training. Although you were nervous about X-rays and whatnot, you did finish the certificate program successfully. It's not a snap vocation, so I'm guessing you have a lot going for you.

Anxiety is normal for most of us in new situations, especially first jobs when it seems that everything is being judged. The work work is a scary, unfriendly place for most of us. But your anxiety seems to me more than is normal. From your description, it prevented you from taking more X-rays, putting yourself out there doing it again and again so you'd learn it. School is the time to do that, not "on the job." Employers don't expect perfection, but you need to get hold of the anxiety.

Most of us are anxious enough at the thought of going to the dentist--we sure aren't calmed and reassured by a nervous dental assistant.

There are articles here and on the Internet which will help you understand more if you aren't aware of anxiety as a disorder. With self help or professional help, you can get better--even practically get over it. I did. Now that I'm old, it's coming back some--but I got help when I was in college and it made my whole life better.

Breathing exercises are great, as is meditation and yoga. Exercise is good, if you don't regularly get much. If you have an MD, make an appointment and go in to talk it over.

I'm worried about you, because getting and keeping a job is difficult enough in today's world. Employers want capable, confident professionals working for them--more bang for their buck. If they have a choice between calm and anxious, they're going to pick calm. But you can fix it.

If you don't get some help here, cut & paste your post into the Anxiety Forum. And take best care of you.

Roads

[granite1]

i'm scared to work also .there is so much involved with it .

[HazelGirl]

I understand that fear, but the best thing you can do for yourself is face it. You will make mistakes, but you probably won't get yelled at for it. It's not professional or proper in the workplace. And seriously? What's the worst that could happen? Getting yelled at is no fun, but it doesn't hurt you. You will survive.

Unless you are afraid of something more than "being yelled at"? Maybe afraid of being hurt physically? Or afraid that a failure makes you a failure? Or of losing your job after one mistake?

Once you name the fears and see how unlikely and ridiculous they really are, you have a better chance of overcoming them. Will it be easy? Nope. Not in the least. But is it possible? Yes.

[Jolisse]

I find working to be very gratifying. Being new in a field is scary, but the more experience you get, the more comfortable you'll feel.
I was scared to death when I got my first nursing job, but I did ok. The only way to learn is to go out and do it!