So I'm around midterm of my first semester of NS and a couple weeks ago I had a huge stress meltdown for a good 24 hours, where I imagined myself doing any other job but this. Even had a plan. I'm better now, I took a weekend off, had a therapeutic road trip, visited a museum and just relaxed, but it got me to thinking...was there every a point where you just thought to yourself "I'm not sure if I can do this."? I mean, it's not that I don't want to, it is more that I just kind of lost it for a day, the drive. I think it has more to do with me not having a super support structure out here, but that's not something I can readily fix. So I suppose I'm just looking for other coping strategies to handle the stress.
Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.
needless to say, during my nursing program i had moments of doubts if i was cut out for nursing. however, the strength i received from patients which i was assigned to, was all that i needed to confront another semester. therefore, before i was aware of it graduation time came along, which prove me that i was capable of anything. having said that, nursing has been my life since i graduated, at times i have gone away from nursing for a short time, but nursing always managed to called me back. lastly, i'm honor to say that i'm apart of a worldwide recognized career.
So I'm around midterm of my first semester of NS and a couple weeks ago I had a huge stress meltdown for a good 24 hours, where I imagined myself doing any other job but this. Even had a plan. I'm better now, I took a weekend off, had a therapeutic road trip, visited a museum and just relaxed, but it got me to thinking...was there every a point where you just thought to yourself "I'm not sure if I can do this."? I mean, it's not that I don't want to, it is more that I just kind of lost it for a day, the drive. I think it has more to do with me not having a super support structure out here, but that's not something I can readily fix. So I suppose I'm just looking for other coping strategies to handle the stress.
Thanks for reading, any advice would be helpful.
We all have them. No matter how long that you will be in this business you will have the anxieties. Just make sure this is the best business for you. Don't Reilly on phases like support structures because out in the real world you may be it. you will have to dig deep inside yourself to find the strength to go on. Always have something waiting for you when you get home. Something to take your mind away so that you can come in fresh the next time. Control those demons now before they control you
In my experience, school is the easy part of nursing! Those were the days! The reality of nursing is quite a shock and not for the faint of heart. Sure there have been times I've wanted to quit, but the reality of life responsibilities, the mortgage, the bills kept me from quitting. I've been jealous of acquaintances who have quit their jobs (not just nursing) when they were unhappy or frustrated. But are they better off for it, not really, their personal lives and financial lives are in shambles, and they go from job to job quitting whenever they get ****** off at a coworker, boss or just the job itself. Surprisingly they can usually scrounge a job no matter how many times they quit or are fired! But personality trumps work record it seems and they have the schmoozing, gift of gab.
Work's been going well lately, I had a string of good weeks without having to deal with confused, agitated patients and that has made all the difference. I've actually enjoyed work lately due to pleasant patients and good rapport with coworkers and fair staffing. If only it was always that way!
Oh god, I have been saying I can't do this anymore from the day I started college. I graduate in 2 months, and I can't seem to focus anymore. I am terrified knowing that I am going to face the real world, and I won't have an instructor watching over. I am having second thoughts about nursing, bc I read too many posts here and everyone seems to hate their job and how they are treated. You can do it!
I have doubts almost daily. In fact, now that's it's the second half of second semester and I have med-surg, I am doubting myself daily. I'm jealous of all of the other students out there in college land that chose a degree program that allows them to study for a reasonable length of time and still be able to have a life without feeling guilty or doesn't cause constant anxiety. I feel like my program owns me. I resent the fact that I can study for 2 hours and barely scratch the surface of the material and still have 500 other assignments in my face. All I did first semester was think about quitting. The first half of second semester was actually a good time for me, and I didn't think about quitting at all, but now those feelings are back, and I am scared.
Thank you, all of you. Reading these comments definitely lifted my spirits quite a bit. I don't think I could every actually quit, as this is probably the first time I've felt like I make some kind of a difference, but there are days when I come home and feel miserable, and it's nice to know that I'm not the only one. I'm on my last day of break, and I decided to take the week and think about what I could do to make it easier on myself, and many of your suggestions were helpful. In short, thank you all for lifting my spirits on this topic!
GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN
2,117 Posts
needless to say, during my nursing program i had moments of doubts if i was cut out for nursing. however, the strength i received from patients which i was assigned to, was all that i needed to confront another semester. therefore, before i was aware of it graduation time came along, which prove me that i was capable of anything. having said that, nursing has been my life since i graduated, at times i have gone away from nursing for a short time, but nursing always managed to called me back. lastly, i'm honor to say that i'm apart of a worldwide recognized career.