Any stress relieving ideas for nursing student?

angie1368 · Mar 3, 2012

I think as a nursing student, you can't dedicate all of your time to school. It is important to put away some time for yourself. Do things you enjoy. For me, to relieve some stress i would hangout with friends and family. I try to surround myself with people that are positive and happy. Another thing is, while in nursing school, i have a study group. Sometimes my study group and I would just hangout, grab a bite to eat and just talk about life. Lastly, get some sleep. Sleep is very important! Just hang on, the program will go by so fast.

Good luck!

neatnurse30 · Mar 3, 2012

If you are already stressed out in nursing school, wait till you get a nursing job. Then it will be a real stress! I'm not saying it out of spite. Most of the nurses on my med surg floor left nursing after a couple of years- they couldn't stand the hospital work. A lot of people will say- find a job in a non-hospital environment. Well, it is not that easy. First of all- in order to work in a non-hospital setting, you need to have acute experience, or be specialized in something. Most of the doctor's offices these days hire medical assistants and not registered nurses to cut the cost. In the end, if you stay in the hospital environment for long enough- you risk depression, anxiety, panic attacks. If you try to get out of bedsite care nursing and the hospital- you usually have to accept lower pay to compromise. Maybe you want to advance your career in nursing and go for example for Nurse Practitioner, then maybe that's a good choice. I myself worked for a couple of years on a med surg floor, outpatient setting and it is everywhere the same- bad conditions. I could barely get enough half an hour lunch break, go to the bathroom etc. I decided that I'll no longer put up with bad nursing conditions like that. I will never go back to work in a hospital, ever again. Right now, I'm working part time in a doctor's office doing chemotherapy. People say, that once you become an RN- there are so many choices out there, not only in the hospital but in an outpatient setting, home health care etc. Maybe there are choices- but the working conditions of an RN are bad pretty much everywhere you go. I'm not trying to scare you, but warn you that nursing is a very tricky career choice. My two coworkers recently decided to quit nursing altogether- one got accepted to law school, the other one wants to go to the pharmacy school.

Keika57 · Mar 3, 2012

Thank you I really appreciate the advice. I understand that nursing is a very stressful and fast-paced job. I am currently a CNA on a med-surg floor and even as an aide we sometimes struggle for lunch breaks and even bathroom breaks. I enjoy the fast pace and running around, but sometimes the stress level is a bit much when you have 5 different patients calling you at the same time. I try to spend time with my friends and family and I do take breaks from school because I know it is also important to take care of yourself, but I fear falling behind sometimes from all the work I get every week. I really do think I will enjoy nursing I just need to get through school first :bugeyes: ! Again thanks for all the great advice! :)

angie1368 · Mar 4, 2012

I do agree with neatnurse30. nursing school is just the beginning, but once you're on the floor as one of the official nurse it is hell. I am a recent LVN grad and i recently got hired at ALF i have about 60 residents to give meds too. Being exposed to what ACTUAL NURSING have changed my perception. Every time i'm about to go to work i do feel like having a panic attack. I have serious anxiety since i've been working. I can't handle the negative effects this job has given me. I am considering another career and quitting my current job. Good luck with school!