Depression r/t nursing school !!

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Hello, I am in my 3rd semster of my BSN program and I am only halfway through. I am so depressed and I am feeling like I will never see the end of this. I am having so many financial hardships and it is ridiculous. I am always stressed and very tired. I also am struggling with my classes. My dream is to work as a floor nurse for about 3-4 years and go back for NP, but that will never happen if I do not get my grades up!! My motivation is really low and I am just feeling like I want to give up everyday but I have made it too far. Has anybody else felt like this when in nursing school? I am over this and I live in Ohio so the cold weather makes life even more difficult. I know in our profession we see very sick poeple everyday and I know life can be worse. I am grateful to have made it this far in this program but I needed to rant and something to lift my spirits. Thanks !

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Yes, totally normal. I posted a very similar thread last semester. I hear my classmates verbalize the exact same feelings. I know we are not supposed to give medical advice, but maybe check in with your personal physician to make sure you don't have anything medically wrong with you. I struggle in the winter (Wisconsin) too with depression--lack of sunlight doesn't help anyone. I was diagnosed a few years ago with significant Vit D deficiency. Better now that treated, but I know things are tough in the winter months for me. Please seek help if you are that depressed, there are people who can help you either with just talking about things or prescribed meds to get you over the hump. Remember you need to be able to take care of yourself before you can adequately take care of other people. Best wishes to you....feel free to post whenever you need a pick me up. It does help!

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

It is normal to be tired and stressed in nursing school but if you are truly depressed, you need to see someone. Nursing school is hard, you basically give up your life but in the end , if it is what you truly want...it's all worth it. Hopefully between friends and family you have a good support system!! Pull up your big girl panties and get on with it!! You got this :)

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

If you are earning bad grades then that is on you. Thousands of nurses are making it and they are dead broke. When I did my ABSN I ate one time a day and lived in an apartment that was a death trap. The ceiling collapsed on me in the middle of the night. I still got good grades and made it through. It MOTIVATED me to get out of my crappy situation. You want to be a NP, but you are getting bad grades and have no motivation? Then you don't really want to become a NP. And frankly you need to forget NP for the time being and focus on one thing. Getting good grades THIS semester and learning as much as you can. Hopefully you are just going through a rough patch. I have been there as well as thousands of other nurses. It is ultimately up to you to decide your future. Hit the books and smile when you do it! More homework? GOOD! Hard exam? GOOD! Make me EARN it! Someday you will look back and be stoked at what you overcame.

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I know school is at the center of your world but try to make time for yourself. Go hang out with friends nursing or non nursing. Watch one of your favorite shows. Find a hobby that you enjoy it will calm you. And sometimes you just have to break down and cry, it is completely okay.

Hope things start looking up :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
It is normal to be tired and stressed in nursing school but if you are truly depressed, you need to see someone. Nursing school is hard, you basically give up your life but in the end , if it is what you truly want...it's all worth it. Hopefully between friends and family you have a good support system!! Pull up your big girl panties and get on with it!! You got this :)

This.

You need to connect with your school to see if you can utilize counseling or seek professional help.

As far as grades, have you looked into renting supplemental study guides such as reviews like the Success Series to have practice on NCLEX-style questions?

How about reaching out to your instructors and tell them what's going on?

I went through nursing school while employed, but had to juggle monetary balances because I had a mortgage and grown-up responsibilities, so I understand the financial crunch; however, going to the library and finding study guides and finding other ways to get around the limitations in order to succeed is key.

Best wishes.

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