Did you hate your life in nursing school??

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I'm in a BSN program. I was on the wait list for a year (with about 60 other transfer students), where we took basic nursing courses, nursing theory, research, pathophysiology and pharmacology. I'm starting clinicals in the fall, but I am DREADING going back!! Did anyone hate their life like I do when you were/are in nursing school? It's the stress and pressure that I am dreading. :uhoh3: Maybe it's living in NYC and nursing school (both combined). I know I will be a good nurse because I really do care about the well being of patients. I am grateful for being in the opportunity to be in the program I'm in, but I feel OVERWHELMED just thinking of the workload! I get straight A's, maybe I shouldn't strive for such high grades and that would take the pressure off?

Any advice please...

Thanks,

Lauren :o

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I did. I felt like all I did was eat, live and breath school and hospitals. My job as a CNA didn't help, because I worked in a hospital! lol.

Keep the faith. Soon this will be all behind you and the only thing you can worry about will be your job. ;-)

ETA: I did later pick up a second job to supplement income during the summer months. I worked in a candle factory making votives. How relaxing and brainless that was! lol. It was something I really needed to do. Make some cash and not deal with sick people.

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yes I hated my life in nursing school. Im an LVN so I will be going back, its not over for me. I went to school 5 days a week 8-10 hours a day, and worked double shifts sat and sun. I had no days off, barely time to eat. Its worth it...most of the time.

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Specializes in LTC.

For the first year I did, but at the same time I did like nursing school and clinical.

For my second year I chosen to have more of a social life and not be so consumed with school. I study it bits and peices and that works for me. I may study for 2 hours then treat myself for a movie or out with friends later. It is all about balance.

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I did. I felt like all I did was eat, live and breath school and hospitals. My job as a CNA didn't help, because I worked in a hospital! lol.

Keep the faith. Soon this will be all behind you and the only thing you can worry about will be your job. ;-)

Thank you :) I've gotten used to NO social life. My friends who are not in the field don't understand why school is my whole life. My social life is IN SCHOOL. I can't wait to be a nurse though!! ;)

That sounds nice, working with candles. I think you have to do something to get your mind off just 'nursing' and people in the field.

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I was a single mom of two kids working full time thru nursing school...it was MISERABLE.

Nursing school sucks. I don't think any of my classmates- even those who didn't have to work or pay bills or have any responsiblity to anyone or anything outside of school- were stressed.

Do your best but don't make yourself sick trying. Get plenty of sleep, eat well, exercise and spend a (reasonable) amount of time away from the books and computer.

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I was a single mom of two kids working full time thru nursing school...it was MISERABLE.

Nursing school sucks. I don't think any of my classmates- even those who didn't have to work or pay bills or have any responsiblity to anyone or anything outside of school- were stressed.

Do your best but don't make yourself sick trying. Get plenty of sleep, eat well, exercise and spend a (reasonable) amount of time away from the books and computer.

Thank you, thats's really good advice. It can be so hard to find balance, I don't know how to be a carefree person anymore! It's my dream to be a nurse, but I never imagined it would be this stressful. :rolleyes:

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I am not even at school yet but I have my 2c too! ;)

I am 36 y old, no kiddos, great hubby, great job at hospital as UC, great schedule, great hobby (racing dh bikes), and breaking my bones every year ;) I get up when I want to. I work evening shift so there is no point for me getting up at 8AM. Most of the time, I get up 9 - 9.30 AM. Overall, I live hippie live :clown:

Nursing is something I was looking forward and still, I am! I got accepted to school of my first choice and I should be super excited... but I am not! Yes, I am happy but I cannot imagine just giving up my freedom for the next two years! My boss doesn't want me to go per diem. He wants me to work weekends and honestly, I need my job and health insurance, too. With my sport activities I CANNOT live without it!

So, here I am... nursing student that in a month will have to forget about hippie life... I know that on one hand I will hate it but on other I will love it! Being a nurse is my goal. I will have to suck it up and change my life habbits a bit.

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Specializes in Float Pool-Med-Surg, Telemetry, IMCU.

There were times that were difficult but I got through them by becoming very close with most of my classmates. I'm sure we'd get a nursing diagnosis of "ineffective coping" for this but we had many a "decompress after an exam" bloody mary! :beer:

I too am a perfectionist but my last year I chose to start making exercise a priority as well and took up running with a couple of my nursing buddies. I actually ended up getting better grades than when I only concentrated on school. It's all about balance. Good luck!

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For the first year I did, but at the same time I did like nursing school and clinical.

For my second year I chosen to have more of a social life and not be so consumed with school. I study it bits and peices and that works for me. I may study for 2 hours then treat myself for a movie or out with friends later. It is all about balance.

I know I'm really bad about balancing myself. I think I actually need to start studying less, that sounds kinda weird. It's hard when everyone around you in your program, their hobby is studying (group studying as well which is sad to say, but 'fun').

I hope clinical is exciting!

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I enjoyed nursing school for the most part BUT because of the class schedules, class work and clinicals I very little, if any, social life. I worked weekends and all my breaks. Like you, many of the people I went to school with did not have the responsibility of class and clinicals because they were other majors - they were able to join clubs, go out on weekends, stay up late, sleep in or go to a movie most anytime..not me. Several people in the program quit because of this..there wasn't a balance. And the expectation from our professors - though they were supportive and kind - was our life would be school. Am I glad I have a degree that even in this economy helps some? Yes. Would I do it over again..I honestly, 21+ plus years down the road, don't know. I missed a lot of college things that you can't get back - going part time wasn't an option where I went to school and now, with the way the hospitals and all have changed...I don't know..but, my unsolicited advice is, if you have any way to go part time so you can balance things - even if it takes you a little longer - do that. You can't get this time back and while college is about getting an education, there are alos life experiences that need to be gained as well that a class can't offer. Good luck

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There were times that were difficult but I got through them by becoming very close with most of my classmates. I'm sure we'd get a nursing diagnosis of "ineffective coping" for this but we had many a "decompress after an exam" bloody mary! :beer:

I too am a perfectionist but my last year I chose to start making exercise a priority as well and took up running with a couple of my nursing buddies. I actually ended up getting better grades than when I only concentrated on school. It's all about balance. Good luck!

Thank you, So sooo true!! I haven't given up exercise because I think it is better than any drug, alcohol, or food you could ever come across. It DOES help with concentration and I even have better patience with classmates and teachers when I exercise. I hope clinicals are exciting! :nurse:

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