Life's little stressors during nursing school are killing me!

ZanatuBelmont · Jan 18, 2009

I'm in a 10 month LPN program. Just finished 10 weeks, starting clinicals next week, hubby got laid off, I work on the weekends so NEVER have a day to myself, kids HATE not seeing me, grades are good but only with extreme effort on homework, things in the house are breaking down, Hubby's truck needs heater fixed, etc, etc.....
I could go on forever! I think I'm getting overwhelmed with everything. Hubby and I are fighting worse then ever too. I think it's the stress.
Any ideas to help me deal with everything before I run away and sign into a "looney bin"?

I'm going through the same thing. What I'm trying to do is sit back and breathe deep before I say anything. It's very easy for me to snap at anyone who gets in the way of my study time, but you have to resist that. What I've done so far - and it seems to help - is promise this is only temporary. Remind your loved ones that this is what you need to do to better yourself and bring in more money to the household. These issues are just part of being in nursing school, I guess. I know most people can't do this, but my partner and I actually moved in with my mother (I'm 21) to ease the workload on me. My aunt, who had four children at the time, also moved in with her mother during nursing school. It's not ideal, but it sure takes some financial stress off of you.

Other than that, the only thing you can do is count to ten before you respond, lol. And remind your husband that you need his support to get through this. It's just going to take a lot of hope, faith and tears, but it's worth it.

SynCardia, BSN · Jan 19, 2009

I know praying helped me ALOT. I almost quit nursing school because i had way to much going on in my life. I talked to god and played church music everyday and i swear that is what got me through.

TRISHA,SN · Jan 19, 2009

i think it is always rough to go through unless you have the luxury of doing nothing else but dedicating yourself and ALL your time to school...I am a single mother of 3..one of which is bi-polar and just turned 13..one 5 ...and one 6 months. I cry everyday and look for ways to get through each and every day. a friend told me short term sacrifice for long term pay off..that is what I am holding on to!

WndrWmn · Feb 1, 2009

Hi ladies,

Me too, Im in the full time day program while my daughter is in school and have two other jobs... Not one day off. Ever. It is a lot. But we have to remain positive. This will pay off for us in the end, we just have to keep the faith. I have never felt so overwhelmed in all my life. I envy (ok I admit I am soooo jealous lol) of the students that have entire weekends to devote to studying and assignments. I wish! But this is what someone told me and I am always telling myself this. "what is a nurse with a 95 average?" A nurse. "What is a nurse with a 75 average?" a nurse. LOL! Pace yourself and if you get overwhelmed.......step away from the books and watch a TLC show or something lol.

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2009

One thing I can say is you MUST connect with your husband on this. Take an hour or more on a day off, (haha I know....) but at least an hour to take a walk and talk. Tell him this is for the family, that once this school thing is over things will be so much better but you need his support and his help. Most men like to be asked to help and a lot of women have a problem with giving up some chores especially if he doesn;t do it the way you do...but this year you HAVE to ask and accept help, however small. I don't agree that a 75 is as good as a 95, whenI'm in the hospital I want the 95 nurse with me! But you do need time to relax, even in small bits. I work, have a family and school so I know how you feel, totally swamped. Try to be organized with the groceries and laundry and let all else go. Good luck

Fancy Face · May 20, 2009

I too feel your pain. I am losing my mind because I can't make ends meet. I am so overwhelmed.

itsbuzzy · May 20, 2009

I think everyone goes through this. It sucks. THey stick 30-50 people in a classroom for a year and you see them more than your family. IT HORRIBLE. Hopefully you can make it though. I have have till August. PLEASE COME FAST!!! lol

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 22, 2009

One thing I can say is you MUST connect with your husband on this. Take an hour or more on a day off, (haha I know....) but at least an hour to take a walk and talk. Tell him this is for the family, that once this school thing is over things will be so much better but you need his support and his help. Most men like to be asked to help and a lot of women have a problem with giving up some chores especially if he doesn;t do it the way you do...but this year you HAVE to ask and accept help, however small. I don't agree that a 75 is as good as a 95, whenI'm in the hospital I want the 95 nurse with me! But you do need time to relax, even in small bits. I work, have a family and school so I know how you feel, totally swamped. Try to be organized with the groceries and laundry and let all else go. Good luck

Well I hope and pray you maintain your 95 average so that you can be a " Good " nurse and requested by your patients. I have a question : When was the last time as a patient you asked your nurse if she had a A or C average ? Come on seriously, when are students going to get out of this mentality of A nurses are better then C nurses and vice versa. Nursing school is tough enough then to be thinking oh I wonder if patients and employers will accept me because I was a C or A nurse.

WhoNeedsaShot? · May 23, 2009

I will be Graduating in August 6th..... Looking back, on the past 10 months if feel that I can honestly say... The first 10 weeks were the toughest by far!! So hang in there and know that it is just going to get easier.

The thing about Nursing school is that it all builds. What you have learned in the last 10 weeks, will come back around (many times actually) and you will soon get to the point where the instructor is lecturing and you will be like, Okay, I know that, and I know that, and I know that. So you will be writting about half the notes, and you will find your study time will drop drastically, because it is all coming together.

What I do when I take my notes is, I write them all out in a tablet, and once I know that I know it... I highlite it... Then, I only have to focus on what isn't highlited. So when I look at a page of my notes and half of it is already YELLOW, its not as overwhelming, and I know that I can take 10 minutes and go over the few that I don't yet know..... Then as time allows I look over all of them. I try to get to school a little early the day of the test and set in my car and just go over everything...

Just keep moving forward, you will find what works for you and your family, and your hubby will end up being your biggest fan. Just realize that he prob hates seeing you have to work so hard, and is feeling pretty useless right now, and fighting his own demons... Just be good to each other, and it will all fall into place

Good Luck to you

J.Q.

justiceforjoy · May 24, 2009

So, amongst all of this, what are you doing for yourself?

No matter how stressed out, tired, or whatever I am, I find the time to work out -- this is what I do for myself. My school has a gym, so I go at lunchtime. During practicum, I go for a run before I pick my daughter up from school, or I will tell her father to watch her so that I can go for a run Likewise, I encourage her daddy to go do something for himself as well. Time away not focusing on all the responsibilities we have is very important in my mind.

Finances can wait. Debt, schmet. I'm racking up nearly $1k each month if you count daycare expenses. What can you do? Not a whole lot, so why bother wasting time worrying about it? easier said than done, I know. I'll boil over once a month or so