Did you worry in nursing school?

bestblondRN · Feb 25, 2001

Originally posted by Tim-GNP:
I wouldn't worry about it... I was the same way in nursing school. I had EVERY disease we studied [can you say hypochondriac???]. I was really worried when I though I was pre-eclamptic!!!

The good news is, once they give you that pin & diploma and you pass your RN boards, the insanity goes away. Just keep your chin up and don't take your husband to the ER anymore!!! LOL

Haha.....you're so right Tim--the insanity does pass after all is said and done. I became pregnant with my first child during my last semester of college and had had a run with strep throat early in the first trimester. This was less than a year following my OB rotation, and I was petrified. I read everything I could get my hands on about the teratogenic effects of penicillin on an embryo and was convinced that I would deliver a baby with 3 heads! I drove myself, my husband, my OB and my family nuts for about 4 months until I had an AFP drawn and an ultrasound confirming everything was normal. Talk about a LONG first and second trimester.....Over the course of the past 17 years since that time, I have become much more laid back about things and probably could be classified as the typical nurse-mom...underreactive, in a word! Louise, it gets easier as you have more clinical experience and have a chance to apply it to what you're learning in the books. Good luck in your career and stay away from the ER!

Elenaster · Feb 25, 2001

I can feel your pain! I'm in my third semester and so far I've had MS, ovarian cysts, and meningitis. My best friend at school disclosed she was convinced she had an intra-cranial hemorrhage. Several others in my class have been convinced that they had some form of cancer, diabetes, and many infectious diseases. Don't feel bad, I think it gets us all. I've heard of medical students doing the same thing. I think I get a little less neurotic each semester (at least I hope!) Hang in there.

lorrie · Feb 26, 2001

When I was going through LPN school I had every disease / illness known to man. After I finished I was a normal healthy human being. I am now back in school finishing my RN, and as I type I am convinced I have MRSA. And I guess from reading everyone else's post this isn't completely insane. Or either everyone that has posted is (haha)

lots of luck and it should get better.

petulip in Alabama · Feb 26, 2001

Wait until you finally graduate...then you will worry about needle sticks,AIDS,Hepatitis,TB....I think it is only natural...but it will pass..it is just part of adjusting to being a nurse in public healthcare.Believe me, we all at one time or another have secretly preferred NOT to take a pt be it because he is on isolation, has ? HIV status,or is a pt that decompensated fast and has recently been out of the country!!! But have heart..it is all part of the molding process we go thru on our way to being a professional!!! good luck on your boards...and I agree...stay away from the ER in your career..Ha HA !!!!

Zee_RN, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2001

I had MS in nursing school. And a TIA. My daughter had Hodgkins disease (I felt large nodes in her cervical lymph nodes late one night and cried all night but managed not to call the pediatrician until morning--that was six years ago and she still has large lymph nodes but is healthy as a horse).

It'll pass . Of course, now I'm convinced I'm colonized with every antibiotic resistant bacteria known and unknown to mankind but, what the hey...at least I don't have MS .

crnasomeday · Feb 26, 2001

I'm in the sixth semester of a BSN program, and hoping that I make it through the final two semesters of my schooling without going completely insane. I worry so much more about my own health than I ever did before I had A&P knowledge, and now every time I read about some new disease process, well...I'm afraid I have it. So far I've thought that I have colon cancer, a brain tumor, meningitis, heart disease. You name it and I've worried about it. And the worst part is that it doesn't stop there! I even project these worries onto my family (3 semesters ago just after finishing bacteriology, I drove my husband to the ER for a headache and slight fever insisting that he needed a lumbar punture, which BTW he got and was laid up for a week after recovering from a resulting spinal headache).

I've talked to many nurses and other students who say that they have had the same problem and that it's kind of normal, but here's my question: Do you ever get to a point where you don't worry so much about these things and where you don't see signs and symptoms every where you go and in everyone you know? Thanks in advance for your replies!

Louise www.geocities.com/crnasomeday

PHN1963 · Feb 27, 2001

The worst thing about being a nurse is knowing way too much. So when anyone in your family gets sick, including yourself, you immediately think the worst. I think it's only natural to feel that way with the background that we have. As long as you don't carry it too far. When there's an ailment in my family, I immediately get out my old nursing textbooks and read!! I guess I could say that I am very cautious when it comes to illness. I don't immediately assume the worst but I watch for further signs.....just in case. Hope this helps.