I need advice

[worrywart]

I am struggling through a very rough time in my life right now where I need some advice. I have anxiety and depression and am trying to fight through nursing school. I feel so lost sometimes because I used to be very interested in the health career and I want to help people and become a nurse, but now I feel like nothing is interesting to me anymore. I'm sure it has something to do with my depression, but its scares me to think that i've worked this hard for something and I might change my major because of it. It seems like I've had awful clinical experiences and get stuck with lousy disrespectful nurses that don't enjoy it at all. I understand that is to be expected in the profession, but I had to withdraw from my med/surg lecture because I was failing horribly. It seems like nothing sticks and when I go to clinical in the hospital I feel like all the nurses know everything and I have no clue. I'm afraid to ask questions b/c they make me feel so stupid. It's very frustrating and I am so close to quitting, but I know that you can do anything you put your mind too. I just thought there was more to nursing than knowing everything out of the textbook. It seems like every nurse in the hospital I have my clinicals at knows "everything out of the book" but they have awful bedside manner. I want to be able to understand the disease processes, but it seems like that's all they focus on. I have cried every day b/c of school since December and it's finally taking a toll on my life. I feel like if I can't understand this med/surg stuff now how will I ever become a good nurse. I don't want to end up getting a job when I graduate and not know what i'm doing. A friend of mine told me not to let anyone tell me i can't do it b/c 3 professors told her she didnt have what it took to become a nurse. She passed her boards on the first time around. I just feel like I am not connecting with nursing anymore because I can't get this med/surg theory. I am the only one in my class who had to withdraw so far and it makes me feel like a failure like why can't i get it and everybody else does. Any advice?

[lovelife29]

Don't give up on yourself quite yet! of course i have no idea what you are dealing with and what the effect of the depression is taking on your life! but don't give up! i feel the same as you in the sense that i feel i am slowly soaking up information and my classmates are so booksmart and know everything! you should let your professor or the coordinator of your hospital intensives that the nurses are being disrespectful. I have learned the MOST from my clinical experiences, not from the books or stupid research tests. It's the hands-on, asking questions where I start to really get it! and since those nurses have awful bedside manner, that give you an opportunity to show those patients that you WILL be an AMAZING nurse because you are actually compassionate. If some nurses are less apt or rude when they are asked questions, zero in on someone you know is helpful. Even ask classmates or your instructor since they should be on the floor!

I really hope everything works out for you...keep on going! you can do it!!!

C's get degree's you know....not promoting bad grades by any means but i am CONVINCED that I can and have the ability to be a better nurse than that girl who gets 100% on tests but doesn't know how to carry a basic conversation with her patient!!!

[melisgood]

How far along are you in the nursing program? I'm almost half way done (semester 2 out of 4) and I still feel like there is so much to learn and lots of nurses are not what i want to be like. In any profession you will come across nasty people who hate their life. Spend time with your patients. I've learned that I can actually enjoy the challenge of getting a so called "challenging" patient that the nurse says is a pain in the butt and by the end of the shift I've earned my patient's trust and respect and they thank me for my kindness. In the end, grades really don't matter...it's what you learn....also, try and study ahead of time because med-surg stuff is very difficult if not impossible to cram into your head during the first read. Also, please see a psychologist or a counselor about your depression and anxiety...nursing school alone is a lot of stress. I have someone I talk to once a week and it really helps. Also, get in a study group. And please, before you change your mind and your major, realize there are all kinds of nurses besides med/surg....school nurses, nurses that assist in plastic surgery or lazer....so don't limit yourself. Best of luck to you! Oh, and one last thing....just push through it and before you know it you'll be done....that's what I keep telling myself!