Depressed 1st semester student

[Shagce1]

I am half way through my 1st semester. Doing well. All A's thus far. Have been working my behind off to get those grades. Just started my first clinical rotation. And now I am depressed. I am a non traditional 41 year old returning to college for a second career student. I have a family 2 kids and husband. I am exhausted. I am starting to second guess my desire to do this. Just had my first clinical experience last week. I did fine, but now am anxious and nervous to return for the next three days. I need someone to tell me it will be worth it in the end. Right now I am considering quitting....because if I am this anxious with 1st semester stuff how am I going to make it through 4 semesters!?

[Hailbop16]

Oh I could've written your post myself! I'm in your shoes right now. 40 yrs old, 3 kids, etc.... It's so overwhelming!

[ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN]

It's so worth it! And guess what, the teens can HELP! Mine weren't teens when I went back to school but that is when mom quit doing their laundry, tide pod and push play, you forget then you have to wear dirty clothes, the learned pretty quick not to forget, chore chart was lifesaver, oh you want to hang out with a friend hmmmm let me consult the chart, nope nothing done, carry on with your attitude elsewhere! 6+ years later they are all teens and nothing much has changed except that now they occasionally get to make dinner too (nothing too extravagant, chili, spaghetti etc.) and they take turns CLEANING the kitchen each night, tossing stuff into the dishwasher does not equal clean. They might not be super happy about it in the beginning, but in the long run their future college roommates will thank you

[Shagce1]

Oh my gosh. thank you all so much for your kind words. fast forward 1 week. I am feeling a little better. Still with tons of self doubt. But after spending time on this board and doing lots of reading it looks like there is a ton of self doubt out there. Again, I thank all of you who took the time to post and cheer me on. It means a lot!

[CoachChris]

I can empathize. I am in my late 40's, married more than 20 years and have 4 kids. Once I take finals the 10 days after Thanksgiving I will be finished with my first semester. About two weeks ago I started feeling depressed. All the excitement of starting nursing school gave way to the reality that, even as a student nurse, I bear responsibility for the health and well-being of others. I also realized just how much I've short-changed my family in terms of spending time with them.

My wife told me that underneath the grumbling and complaining she and the kids do from time to time they are really proud of me. They are just as much invested emotionally in my success as I am. Further, she said, that if I wasn't a little worried about being good enough as a student nurse, she'd worry. Being a nurse is a big thing. My confidence should come from actually mastering nursing skills. That is what nursing school was for - helping me master skills so I can become a competent nurse. Maybe her words might be helpful to you and others as well.

Emotions are an inescapable part of being human. Someone once told me that feelings only have the power that you give them. Feelings can be good advisors but they are, for sure, horrible bosses. Listen to them but don't let them tell you what to do.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

How can anyone here tell you if it is worth it or not? What is "worth" it to me may be different to you. You worked your a$$ off to get into nursing school now you want to bail out? If I may quote Clark W. Griswold "this is no longer a vacation. This is a quest. This is a quest for fun!" You must decide on your own if it is worth it. No one here can guarantee you will be happy or even find a job when you graduate. You have to look inside yourself. When you are old and about to leave the earth do you think you will look back and think.."I could have done that"??? I don't know. It is 100% up to you. I did ABSN when I was 32 and yes it was worth it to ME..but I am not you.