Anxiety

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Specializes in geriatric.

I am in my 3rd semester of nursing school, and feel as though I am ready to melt. I have this total fear of failing, even though I am making good grades and study all the time. Lately, I absorb what everyone is saying and personalize this to my self. Its almost as if I am on this self destructive course almost, but I don't want to be. I think I have lost myself somewhere between chapters of mania and paranoia. I am being very negative to my self(ok, I know I sound as if I am losing it)

I don't know what has come over me. I am sorta scaring myself. As we all know, nursing school is very stressful. And after being in school all day, then coming home frustrated, pent up and feeling loco, I attempt to talk to my husband and then all he.. breaks loose. I forwarn him that how I am about to act or what I may say, to not take personal, but it always ends up this way. I come home and basically have my meltdown and feel better about the school issue, but it too causes conflict between us. He is trying to be supportive, he is excited about me becoming a nurse, but when I come home and vent, he takes it personal and thinks I am attacking him, then we end up fighting. More stress.

You know how you feel after you finish taking a test? For me anyway, stressed....self doubt, worried, unsure.....and then a good majority of people congregate afterwards discussing questions, well, I can't do this anymore, cause this just adds to my four course meal of stress! I know I self inflict a lot of this. :scrying:

Has anyone else felt the way I do? Am I losing it completely? What do you do to stop the negative thinking?:banghead:

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I wonder if you can stop off on your way home and work out or go for a walk and let the stress fade that way. I've learned that family doesn't really 'get it'. If all hell is breaking loose when you vent, it probably isn't good to vent to your hubby. Some hubbies like to 'fix' problems when we mainly just need to vent. I started walking 2 miles daily just because of stress. My sig other told me "You're not even sweating!". I had to calmly calm down and tell him that I'm not walking to work out, I walk for stress relief.

It sounds like you need to take some time for you to unwind and you seem to be feeling a little off. Take a walk, work out, something where you can let it go before it consumes you.

You are not alone! I felt much the same way my 4th semester theory. It was very hard for me and I'm usually a 3.8 ish student. I passed with a C and was thrilled. Walking helped me to think things through and let them go.

Good luck. There is a light at the end! I didn't see it until the last clinical. It is there and this crazy ride does have an ending. Do something for yourself when you need to. Good luck :heartbeat

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Specializes in geriatric.

thanks, I appreciate your input.

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The stress doesn't end. You need a couple of really good friends who can relate and spend lots of time discussing, ranting and supporting. It's surprising how stressful the whole nursing thing is! Exercise and laughter helps a lot.

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Specializes in LTC.

I know how you feel. I don't know how many times my fiance and I have argued because when ever he tries to help I always yell " YOU don't understand " !

I also warn him when I'm not in a good mood that way he'll pick and chose his words wisely. I am very grateful also to have such a loving, supportive, man. And he wants me to be a nurse just as bad as I want to be a nurse. A couple of weeks ago I was having anxiety really bad to the point where I was talking negative, crying all the time, and just not myself. So what did I do about it ? I started to first pray, then I started to walk again, and next I told my boss I need one day a week off so that I can sleep in, study, and catch up on life.

Sometimes you jus have to take a step back to see what you can change to make things less stressful.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.
I don't know how many times my fiance and I have argued because when ever he tries to help I always yell " YOU don't understand "! I also warn him when I'm not in a good mood that way he'll pick and chose his words wisely

He's in an abusive relationship. :(

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i can so relate to the op. i got my life in order b4 this rotation started. scrubbed the house down, paid bills, took care of everything i possibly could (heck we have enough sheets i can change the beds every 7-10 days, and don't have to actually wash any until after my final in may) so i could concentrate completely on my studies. then of course something sideswipes me out of the blue. i go hide out in the camper in the backyard when everything gets to be too much and i need to get something done for school.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

Beth, I found this quote from a post of yours in 2007: "I am blessed that I am in a position to be able to go back to school with a supporting husband. He is helping to make this dream a reality"

When you feel yourself "losing it" remind yourself of how you felt in 2007. What was true then is still true today, sweetie. YOU"VE ALMOST REACHED THE END...there IS a light at the end of that tunnel!! Nursing school can be the most stressful event in a person's life if they allow it to be.

Take some deep breaths...slowly in....slowly out. Feel yourself relax, and then remember that this too shall pass...and you will have achieved your dream :)

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.
i can so relate to the op. i got my life in order b4 this rotation started. scrubbed the house down, paid bills, took care of everything i possibly could (heck we have enough sheets i can change the beds every 7-10 days, and don't have to actually wash any until after my final in may) so i could concentrate completely on my studies. then of course something sideswipes me out of the blue. i go hide out in the camper in the backyard when everything gets to be too much and i need to get something done for school.

for me, it's more like a monthly thing. ugh!!! i'm lucky to get pillow cases washed every week (tee hee)!

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Specializes in LTC.
He's in an abusive relationship. :(

LOL ! :rolleyes:

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I would suggest the same as one of the pp's and try to get in some exercise or take a walk or something to try to let go of some of the tension. When I am in a bad mood related to school I just tell everyone in my house that I am going for a walk. i hook the dog onto her leash and off we go for a therapeutic walk. How long the walk is depends on how stressed I am. It's actually good exercise for the dog too!! :D

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

Getting all of my frustrations out helps. When I was super stressed during med-surg, I would preface my vents by saying "look I know this won't make much sense and I don't expect you to fix it but I just want you to listen." Self care through things like taking time for yourself, warm showers, yoga, and reading helps as well. My best investment has been a therapist (for other issues, but we talk about nursing school too) though. It really helps to have an objective person to listen and sound off with. If you have a good friend or mentor, they might be able to help too.

I surprisingly have less stress during this my last semester, but I think I've also developed some decent skills for dealing with stress, anxiety, and the frustration of nursing school. As some of my classmates have said "I only look at my schedule for the next two weeks. Nothing exists outside of that or it gets to be too much." :)

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