I'm too depressed

Farawyn · Sep 20, 2015

Hello everyone..my name is leslie and a mother of two beautiful children (4 and 2 yes old). First of all, I was too happy I got admitted into the nursing program and I felt absolutely thankful for this opportunity but things have become a little opposite now. Tomorrow is my 4th week of school and I haven't read or studied anything at all. I feel that I should drop school and wait until my kids are a little bigger. They are very demanding and I don't have the financial or emotional support. I wish I could study and be on everything but I just cant. My daughter has a fracture on her distal radial bone and my son is just to hyperactive. Ive cried lakes and oceans during the past week because I fainted ( for not eating well) and I fractured my wrist as well. To add more stress to my life, my currently job is as a server, so I can't work right now and the only income I have is the.money the father gives.me for the week. I don't know if I can still be on time with my readings and well prepared for the test (in 2 weeks) ..i don't know how to deal with this. I Need Some Help And Some Advise ... Right Now I Don't Pay ANYTHING aT Home BECAUSE I live With My dad and i was thinking about becoming a phlebotomist for.now and have a decent job until i can go back to get my RN license.

Wow. Il sorry this is all happening at once. I'm sure it seems completely overwhelming.

What does your dad say?

Can you study now that you aren't working?

PianoTiles · Sep 21, 2015

Ok...first take a breather. Everything you're going through sounds really overwhelming.

First, if you're depressed please see a professional if you can. In order to make it through school you need to be in an emotionally stable state of mind...the stress of nursing school will just send you over the edge(and you've only just started so you know how stressful it can be) Nursing school is stressful for everyone, and add depression on top of it? You'll be struggling.

There are plenty of parents who make it through nursing school with small children, so trust me, you've got this! Does your father mind you living at home while you're getting through nursing school? If I were in your position, I know my mother wouldn't mind me being at home just so I could get through school and move onto independence, and if I were to have children, I know I'd be the same. Perhaps thats what your father feels?

Second...what are your motivations for going to nursing school? I know a lot of single parents go into nursing to make a better life for themselves and their children, which is a wonderful motivation. If that is the truth, please dont ever lose sight of that. It's tough but you can do it. Whatever your reasons are, never forget them because you will need them to make it through.

I dont have much life experience haha so I hope my advice helps you even if its just a little bit. Something in me just told me to respond to your post...

So, I believe the first thing you should do is see a therapist who can help you through your problems...good luck, you can do this!!

Leslie terrones · Sep 21, 2015

Thanks very much for reading me. Well I'm going to start working as a greeter on Fridays and Saturdays. I'm trying to get some time during the week and stay in the library so I can have my p4ivacy and not be bothered by my kids ( even though they are not a bother).. anyways, I'm worried because everybody is so overwhelmed with studying that makes me feel so miserable because Im not even readino my textbooks the way I'm supposed to.

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2015

Nursing school takes a lot of time, and from your post it's obvious you have a LOT on your plate. Perhaps now is not the time, but then again, you've got a plan and that's great.

Right now you have support from your parents, help with the children, and a lot of work in front of you.

It's doable, and working as a nurse is worth it, but it comes with a price. Nursing school has to be second to your kids. You can catch up on everything else after you're a nurse.

It's worth it. Give it all you've got.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Sep 21, 2015

I agree that this may not be the right time for you and you may need to wait until your kids are older. Every two and four year olds are demanding. They are not old enough yet to do things on their own and they do not understand that mommy needs to study. I waited until my son was in school all day. That is really not far off for you. Do they have full day kindergarten in your area? My son went to full day kindergarten at 5. I did though wait another couple of years because I was still married at that time and he did not want me to go to school. Now my son is nine and I am in my final year of the program and it is so much easier.

It is imperative to have that support in place to help with your children. You have so much on your plate already and I can't imagine how stressful that would be. I know lots of people in here will tell you that you can do this no matter what, but they are not living your life right now, and it's better to withdraw now and restart the program when it is better for you, than to fail the class and get kicked out of the program. It will be harder to get back in if you have failed a class.

You are the only one that can answer this question. Only you know what you can handle. If it were me, I would withdraw until your kids were a little older and do it then. School will always be there and going into it with as little outside stress as possible is the best way to succeed. Good Luck!!!

direw0lf, BSN · Sep 21, 2015

I have had some moments where I want to give up. But I think one way or the other you need some help because I was alarmed you got a broken wrist from fainting from not eating. Your school psychologist is free to see..and maybe can help you sort out what to do. Maybe with the right support you can finish this semester or maybe not. But I'm definitely concerned.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2015

Tomorrow is my 4th week of school and I haven't read or studied anything at all.

If this is true, now is NOT the time for nursing school. As much as you may say you want it, you are choosing other things instead of school.

Many single parents do go to nursing school but they have a support system in place that allows them to do the required reading/studying. Quit for now and either wait until the kids are in school or find affordable child care.

You are certainly a wonderful mother for wanting better for your kids. Sounds like you are trying to do too much. It is unfortunate you broke your wrist and now have to heal from that before you can work as a server or phlebotomist. You really do have to take care of yourself before you can care for others, so you have learned a bit of nursing already.

KayStanley · Sep 22, 2015

When I feel stressed it helps to just take 30 mins and look over my material. I feel better about myself. I also record my lectures and listen in the car, while cleaning, ect. You can do it...its not easy but it's worth it!