ANXIETY ABOUT STARTING CAREER
I just graduated from the HCAP program in BC and recently started feeling overwhelmed with anxiety about working as an RCA/HCA. I do have a placement through the program at the facility where I worked casually before school, and I’m also applying to other jobs.
The thing is, I know I’m capable. I was at the top of my class, did well in clinicals, and genuinely care about this work. But ever since graduating, I’ve had this constant anxiety about messing up, forgetting something important, or not doing enough for residents/clients. It’s not that I don’t want to do the job — I do. I think the responsibility just feels very real now that I’m fully entering the field.
I guess part of it is probably imposter syndrome. Even though I know I’m competent, I still feel scared that I’ll make mistakes or somehow not be good enough once I’m fully on my own. I also think part of it is my own high expectations for myself, thinking that I have to be perfect right off the bat.
I’m wondering if other new HCAs/RCAs felt like this starting out? Did the anxiety ease with time and experience?