Can't Focus... Nursing School

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

well you are not incompetent or stupid or you would not be this close to graduation. This is a hard rotation. Study with others (but don't get caught in the trap of everyone talking but not studying), consider what else in your life you can let relax (housework, church duties, etc). Are you getting enough sleep? DEMAND it. Get tough with your family about how they can help you by not being needy right now. If this does not help it is better to graduate a few months later than to have a nervous breakdown. Don't forget to ask instructor for advice. This is new to you but old hat to them. GOOD LUCK

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When I was in nursing school I use to take the vitamin supplement focus factor, it was amazing ! I dont mean sound like an advertisement but it worked well for me. Good Luck

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Can you speak to your Clinical Instructor? Sometimes all you need is a little help! Don't be afarid to ask, your so close to being done, and you will get through this! Maybe you can go to someone higher up in your program and explain how you are feeling and they may be able to provide you with some additional resources and/or they may be able to spend time to help you with this difficult rotation. Good Luck with this, and you are not incompitent and stupid, the smartest thing to do sometimes is ask for help, when you know it may be needed. You were smart enough to get into school, and get this far, so don't discredit yourself! Good Luck!!

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dont beat your self up. nsg school is tough. being a mom is tough ob is tough. its all HARD WORK. i know it can get overwhelming, but really you are soooooo close to the end. DO WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO TO GET THRU IT! dont let other ppl get u down, u have enuf to do as it is. so u dont know when vacation is....... u r almost done, and then trust me things will get back on track. work your butt off for these next few months, and it will be over before you know it! good luck!

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Hello. I have been trolling this website for years, and never even registered until I saw your post today. I am in my last semester of nursing school, and I just wanted to tell you that what you are experiencing is not unusual. I took OB last semester and was looking forward to it, but I didn't have a very good experience. I was struggling, but I kept working at it. I am a single mother of two children, one of which is autistic. It's not easy, but you can do it! I didn't pull an "A", but I did my best under the circumstances. And that's all you can do...Utilize your classmates, and as someone else mentioned get some sleep especially the night before you take a quiz. Have you ever tried concept maps? Nursing school has taught me that I am a visual learner, and concept maps really helped me in Pharm. Good luck to you! :up:

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Thanks for the support.

I shall trudge on.

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I felt that way last semester. Didn't think I would graduate. Was in tears most of the semester. Worried about what everyone would think if I didn't graduate and had to do the whole semester over. I was just on overload and tired tired tired of school and work.

Take each day as it comes. Do the best you can. Give yourself credit for getting this far. Can you take a day off and just do something fun? It might be what you need to recharge.

If nothing else, come and vent. We hear you! Take care of yourself, you are almost there.!!!!!!!

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Specializes in med/surg, ER.

I felt the same way about my OB rotation. I sat and cried, telling my husband "I don't wanna do OB!!!" The calm, wise soul that he is put it simply..."if you know you are supposed to be a nurse, you have to do OB to finish nursing school." He knows me so well. It is hard, it is a lot of work and...IT IS WORTH IT!!!! Take a deep breath, know that you are not alone and keep putting one foot in front of the other. It is how you got this far...besides, NOT going in to OB when you pass the NCLEX is a great reward!

Blessings to you.

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Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.

I can offer this...when I was in nursing school, I was working 3/4 time as well. I was an extremely dedicated student, and demanded the most from myself. However, in one semester, it became clear that the time demands of both the job and class and clinical schedules were too much. I made the difficult decision to split one semester up, and graduated one semester later than I would have -instead of December, I graduated in May. I was so torn about the decision, but one of my wise professors advised ..."Will it really make a difference in 5 years which semester you graduated in?" I learned that trick from her...ask yourself if something will be THAT significant in 5 years. I knew I was so tired that I was going around in a fog, almost bumping into walls. I wasn't able to enjoy much of anything due to the fatigue, and every single moment from the time I woke up until the time I closed my eyes was accounted for. The relief that I got from splitting the semester and only taking 9 hours that semester and the next was incalculable. No harm done in graduating one semester later...it really didn't make a difference in much. So, give yourself permission if you need it. If your head is spinning and you cannot study through the fatigue and anxiety, then modify your life. Anything that has waited this long, can wait another semester. You may be a better student, mother, and co-worker for it. Good luck in whatever you choose to do. ( I know our OB semester was incredibly intensive as far as paperwork-I believe my semester paper was typed at 63 pages long. ugh...)

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Hey there!

I am having a heck of time with my OB rotation.

I hate it.

I am having a very hard time focusing and even though I try to study, I am having a hard time retaining.

I just failed my OB med quiz and can take it over as many times as I need to but I MUST pass this quiz to pass the class. I seem to have developed a mental block.

I'm freaking out over clinicals and reciting my meds.

I am totally blown away by the amount of paperwork and research this class requires.

I am stressed over my late clinical times and the fact I have exams the day after clinicals.

I am becoming physically ill and am frustrated that I could pull myself through before, in spite of going through divorce, moving and a nasty clinical instructor. And now I let myself fall apart now?

I only have until July to finish but can't bear anymore.

I feel like I started this class behind already.

I have seriously considered withdrawing, taking a mental break and better preparing for when I take this class again.

That means I won't be done until, at least December.

I don't know how much longer worK will put up with my schedule.

I have kids looking forward to my July graduation.

I have family counting on me to finish.

I hate nursing (right now, anyway) but I feel I must start what I finish.

I guess I just need to vent and I am sure plenty of others have been in my situation.

I feel incompetent and stupid right now.

Any advice?

Help!

While its true that nursing is hard work, just keep your eye on the prize: getting your diploma and earning your license :) i had a really tough instructor myself during my second year but because of that i have learned alot and it has helped me earn my diploma and finally get my RN license :) once you're done you don't have to worry about working at OB because then you will get a chance to choose where you'd like to work. as hard as it may be, try to focus on the positive, think of what you can do rather than what you can't do :) :) :) don't allow other people's expectations to compromise your health.if it would really be best to withdraw for now even though it would mean graduating in December, then do it! :) but if you think you can keep up..then its okay too! :) one of my instructor also use to tell me that its important to take some time for yourself...set a schedule for at least 1 hour 3-4 times a week to relax...set a balance b/w nursing, work, family and self time. I found that exercise really helped in increasing my confidence, thinking more positive & stimulating my mind..i wish you all the best :) now take 3 deep breaths and say to yourself "i can do this!"

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

If your clinical instructors have heard it all before that likely means they have also seen some things to help you get through it. I encourage you talk to them, to your school counselor, to invest in some stress relief for yourself. Hang in there. You have come so far.

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