Accelerated School= Accelerated depression?

minniebrown · Jan 21, 2014

School may contribute to your depression if you are feeling isolated. Have you tried getting counseling or making time for things outside of nursing school? You can also try talking with your instructors to help find a better school/life balance. Remember, you have to take care of yourself to be able to take care of other people. Good luck!

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2014

I just graduated a full 2 year program and I'm not convinced I'm ready either. One of the people on the Hurst review basically said, 'you're not expected to know how to save lives, we just want you to know enough at this point not to kill anyone'. Basically, when you graduate and get working, you're not going to know all that much, you're going to have to depend on your preceptor for a while and get the hang of things before you even begin to feel like you might be a nurse.

I felt bouts of depression throughout nursing school. The debt is scary, working in high stress situations is scare, people's lives in your hands is scary. I think it is normal to be a little depressed... it's a stressful time.

Anbo3882 · Jan 23, 2014

I felt like this a few months ago. I,too, am in an acceletated program and will have 40k in debt after graduation. Im also faced with living in an over satuated market for new grad nurses. So getting a job will be difficult. There's some grads i know who still after a year and a half do not have jobs. I learned that you must focus on the present. Thinking about what is or isnt gonna happen in the future will only cause uneccesary anxiety. Another thing I learned is reaching out on these forums really help. Its like group therapy almost. You are not alone. Look for something outside of school that makes you happy. Find someone who you think is the bee's knees and talk about non nursing stuff. If your depression persist, seek professional help. I did and im better for it.

Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN · Jan 23, 2014

I can't speak to your age or gender since I'm the complete opposite, but I will say this: I was given a bit of advice by a nurse when I expressed a fear of being unprepared when I graduate. She told me that nursing school prepares you to pass the NCLEX. Orientation and preceptorship at your first job teach you to be a nurse.

Guests · Jan 23, 2014

I'm almost halfway through my accelerated program but I'm feeling depressed.

If your school offers a counseling service, I'd go talk to them.

School is going well and I'm interested in the material but I'm not convinced I'll be prepared as a nurse when I graduate

I'll set your mind at ease.... you're not prepared as a nurse... you're prepared as a newbie... the learning curve continues long after graduation and licensure.

and I'm always worrying about the 40k debt I'll have to repay.

Well, that's a valid concern... not much to be done about it besides do well in school and hopefully land a good job... which depends on doing well in school.

Also, while I love my nursing friends, there is no one near my age (23) or gender (male). I feel incredibly isolated and this is only worsening my depression.

I don't really get this. Isolation is something that you're creating for yourself. I was the only dude in my clinical group and I'm much older than almost everybody I work with and yet, I am not at all isolated... I connect at the levels available. Sure, there are a lot of activities that the gals do themselves to which I'm not invited but I still engage them about what they did. We generally create our own isolation.

Is this something most all nursing students experience?

I don't think so.

I really think you should see a counselor/therapist.