Did you have more stress FREE TIME after you graduated? What did you do?

Nurses Stress 101

Published

I'm just curious... I never thought the end would be near ((2 weeks-- then preceptorship!!)) I've sacrificed taking care of myself (mentally and physically) SO MUCH in nursing school. Did life get better for you when nursing school wrapped up? Maybe this is extreme, but I feel like I'm a prisoner getting out of jail and I'm not sure what freedom will be like!

Thank you! xoxo

Lauren

Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

I agree I felt like a prisoner too getting out of jail, lol. I have literally been in nursing school non stop (first LPN, then back for RN-ADN) for about 6 years. I have so much free time after graduation and NLCEX-RN, that I just dont know what to do with myself! Hmmm...do I finally get to read a book for leisure! You can push through this, it will be worth it.

I find working as a nurse a lot more stressful than being a student. Doesn't compare in my experience. Stress of a deadline for a paper, care plan, project does not compare to the stress of the shift from hell and its reprecussions for any mistake or inability to do EVERYTHING. I have more free time, I guess, but waste plenty of it thinking/worrying about my job etc........

I have LESS free time as a nurse than I did as a student.

But, as a student, I rarely "stressed" in school. I was the girl that would walk into class and see everyone freaking out and that's how I knew there was a quiz/test that day.

STUDYING stressed me out. So I never did it. Read the text once as per the assignment, paid attention in lecture. That's it.

Care plans, papers, worksheets- they were never even started until 2 AM the night before they were due. I didn't just procrastinate- I elevated it to an art form. So my time was my own during the day.

NCLEX- practically walked off the graduation stage and went straight to the testing center. No WAY I was going to torture myself for weeks. Passed on the first try, 32 min, 75 questions.

I worked 0.8 all through school. Straight As? Nah. But a 3.6, which was good enough for me.

But now- NOTHING kicks my butt like a 12 hr shift. I wake up at 0500, rarely get home before 2030. Nothing left to do but go to bed because I'm WIPED. Part of it's my unit- a very busy peds unit in an inner city hospital- which will drain you emotionally and physically. I have to have 2-3 days off to get back to a "normal" energy again. I do nothing but work (and dream about work...) on my days on, and then recover on my first day off. It's not til the 2nd or 3rd day off I can do errands, clean, etc.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

It's still pretty stressful when school is done. Lots more learning and big adjustments. I'm still going through that. I graduated May 2012. For the most part, you don't have to worry about homework or tests. When you're done with your 12 hour shift, you're done. I still find my mind racing right after my shift and I'm trying to sleep, but you know you're done until you work again. :)

Specializes in Ambulatory care.

eh i dont know about this free time and stress free life after graduation part. I stressed out and studied more post graduation for nclex than i ever studied as a student, then as unemployed nurse pulled 12-14 hr days 7 days a week spent looking for work, following up on leads, researching. As now an employed nurse I get paid for 7.5 hrs but still "work" 12-14 hrs because as new nurse i worry alot such as think about work before after and weekends too so .. no no more free time. You see now the penalty for not knowing the answer is someoen's life and your license do you care? yes so i spend time researching and looking up anything i dont understand. Add on to school work too as i'd like to continue my education so. Free time? what free time? I spend any free time sleeping haha ok thats my life on this end.

Its ok enjoy a few weeks of relaxation and vvacation as once you find a job those are nearly impossible to get at least not when and how you want it.

+ Add a Comment