Are these feelings normal?

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Oct 2, 2007

i understand what you are going through, nursing school is very hard and tiring.but it's worth it.. if this is what you want to do. nursing is a very hard job, dealing with people at their worst , it's long hard hours , and somedays you just can't do anymore you are to tired to even give report at the end of the shift. the kicker is when you see a pt getting better that was very sick , it makes all the trouble worth it. think about what you want to do. have you any other interests?? good luck in school and in all you do. you will suceed at what ever you try.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2007

It's a roller coaster ride of emotions that we've all been through. Just concentrate on one day at a time doing what's in front of you. Don't forget to take care of yourself.

Jules A, MSN · Oct 2, 2007

I think its normal just hang in there and check the days off the calendar, I promise it will go really fast in hindsight.

agldragonRN · Oct 2, 2007

this only my 5 th week of lpn school, and since the first week i have been thru so many range of emoitons;) i am constanly doubting myself,
can i do this?, do i want to do this?, did i sign up for this?, i feel so overwhelmed , can not imagine 11 more months, some say hold on till dec, you start clincials and it gets easier. is that true? any advice? how do you know its not for you instead of fear talking? my grades averages are 88 for this unit,i seem to do alot of studying for things that are not even on the test! the skills make me nervous having teachers on my shoulders to do simple things, so how am i gonna feel when its something real? i would almost say i am depressed, which is really new to me! any advice? thanks!

hello hopejade and welcome. what you are feeling is normal. i am now a senior lpn (15-month program) student and i can tell you that it is a very good feeling to make it this far. i will be done in 3-4 months. you just started and will get the hang of it. i had the same feeling as you when i started last year. once you finished your first semester, it will be a little bit easier. wow 88, you are doing good so far. keep up the good work. you're even better than me because i think i averaged 85 in my first semester. regarding clinical, you will learn all the basic skills through text books, simulations, and clinicals so don't worry about that. you are not expected to know them 100 percent perfect. just read your text and practice and you will be fine. i'm sure you will start to like the program soon, especially the clinicals. and you just wait until you become a senior and will even be better because you get to do everything, such as, giving meds, im injections, subq, piggyback, dressing change, and many many more. and when you become a senior, your instructors trust you more to do stuff so they don't have to watch you like a hawk(sp?) as to when you were a freshman. well, good luck with nursing school...

angel

MzMouse · Oct 3, 2007

It's very normal. Nursing school can be very overwhelming. Hang in there and take care of yourself in the process. You will be so proud of yourself when you are done!

SAHMU4IA · Oct 3, 2007

I remember a lot of tears in our first semester. Some from me, too! There were students who started having physical symptoms even. In our program the first semester was dreadful. Sort of a game-like thing where they treated you like you were in boot-camp and wanted to see who could "cut it". Honestly, it sometimes bordered on abusive. We were getting by on very little sleep, as they had us doing so many drug cards and careplans at night after Clinicals. In my first clinical rotation, 3 people (out of 7!) actually quit the program. It was very sad.

I can only speak about our program, but with each semester, the stress level comes down considerably. Hang in there, it will be worth it, and like me, you may come to really enjoy Lv/pn school.

jcsinging · Oct 3, 2007

I just graduated from LPN school. The first few months were hard in the studying department. Clinicals could be difficult with your instructor making you shake... My suggestion to you is, take it day by day. Pray a lot. Expect to feel stressed. It is part and parcel with the year of school, not to mention the job itself. There will be times when you cry, that's okay. Don't mistake stress for depression. I had a great group of people in my class. I was pretty tight with 3 or 4 and we really leaned on each other. That helped a lot! Study groups were very helpful as well. You WILL make it through.

As far as your testing goes, use flash cards for each chapter. Read the chapter before the lecture and make note of any points stressed by your teacher. Don't wait until the night before the test to study, make use of the study guides and also the cd that comes with each book. Good luck!

If I made it through, you will too!

HopeJade · Oct 3, 2007

Thanks so much for the replies! We had our first to drop yesterday, so we now have 31.And there does seem to be 2-3 they ride hard. I have never just quit anything, so If I don't make it it will be because of grades, I try not to think about it but know the pharmacology thing scares me as I am not good in math, and they say alot flunk out in mental health, but I know I must take it day by day, thanks so much!

{for making me feel normal again;) }

SAHMU4IA · Oct 4, 2007

, I try not to think about it but know the pharmacology thing scares me as I am not good in math, and they say alot flunk out in mental health, but I know I must take it day by day, thanks so much!
{for making me feel normal again;) }

This caught my eye. Do NOT let the math part of Pharm scare you. It's all very SIMPLE math in drug calculations. Go pick up a book on "Medical Mathmatics"..It will be a very thin book! I think you are like me and tend to over-think. Don't! Keep it simple. And Mental Health? I found the practice questions very helpful in our MH book. So you can get that style of questions that are unlike regular nursing questions. (more touchy feely).. The answers will always be the most therapeutic..

Good luck and relax a bit!

Butterflybee · Oct 5, 2007

Dont think ive heard too many pleasant nursing school stories if any. Keep on keeping on if nursing is what you want to do. It is a great career and a rewarding one.

joncy5254 · Oct 6, 2007

Yes.. that is normal.. All I can say is the first month or two is the hardest because of the adjustment period and pressure in the program that is really challenging. Hang in there.. Focus and tell yourself that I can do this. Good luck to you