Do you ever get so overwhelmed?

PurpleLover · Nov 29, 2013

During microbiology I constantly felt that way. It was definitely a challenging course. I would put down my course material and decompress. It is a hard class, but with dedication and hard work it can be done. Nursing school is higher level of this kind of stress. I understand you worry, I have three kids and it is a lot to juggle. I think as moms, we feel worse than our kids do about the situation.

Good luck

It will not be an easy road, but it is one worth traveling in my opinion.

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vhiran · Nov 29, 2013

stick with it and keep the end in mind.

__patiently_waiting · Nov 29, 2013

Absolutely. You would normally think it would be in a class like Micro or A&P that's stressing me out but it's not.. it's history. My professor is the epitome of TERRIBLE. Trying to keep my grades up before finals and that's the only class I don't have an A in, and currently, I need to make a 101 on the final to get exactly a 90.0 in the class .. which is impossible. She gave us an assignment for 10 extra credit points, which she didn't want to do, then flat out told the class that nobody will get 10 points because she's going to grade it hard ... so that's the story of my life right now.

On top of all of that I'm having problems outside of school as well. I feel so beat down. I probably won't stop feeling overwhelmed until I get final grades for this semester. I want/need my straight A's so my Thanksgiving break has been filled with nothing but studying. I feel exactly how you feel, but the good part is that this semester is almost over so keep doing what you're doing. It's hard to keep faith during hard times but I'm positive everything will all work out in due time.

queserasera, RN · Nov 29, 2013

OP, you are not alone!

I have had to overcome so many obstacles to get where I am in my academic career. Issues arising in my personal life, work demands, financial aid setbacks. All of these factors on top of the stress of maintaining a high GPA despite lousy profs, difficult material... etc etc.

There have been times where I have just sat in my bed and sobbed because I feel as though despite my tenacity and hard work I will not be the perfect candidate for nursing school (I was recently wait listed to my #1 school). It's normal for you to react to stress with emotional release. Don't think of it as weakness when you get upset or feel like it's too much. For me I knew going in that this was going to be difficult with my life circumstances. I knew this journey would be like treading water in a strong ocean... I didn't realize sometimes there would be 100 foot waves coming from all angles!

It truly is a testament to your strength as an individual that you're not only in school but raising children and going through a divorce. These are all stressful and overwhelming on their own and to have them going on simultaneously, well I can't imagine what that is like for you. It's important that when I'm feeling overwhelmed I take a step back and evaluate the positive in my life. Take the time to remind yourself why you're pursing this. The stability that your children will have in the future, not to mention the incredible role model you'll be as they go on to eventually pursue their academic interests are just two reasons to overcome each obstacle as it comes.

My grandmother always tells me, "A head full of doubts has no room for dreams."

Keep at it, know you have support here!

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Nov 29, 2013

Keep at it. Big picture. Keep your goals in mind and don't give up. Took me three tries to get in nursing school. About to finish first semester. And I'm waaaaaay older than you and my brain is addled. :confused:

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Nov 30, 2013

Keep your eye on the prize (graduation) and what it will mean for you and your family. They are young now and do not realize what you are having to do to provide a better life for them, but someday they will realize it and hopefully your journey to become a nurse will be a lesson for them as to what you need to do to achieve your goals in life. It can be cut throat because there are other single mothers that are trying to provide a better life for their children just as you are and that is their main focus.

SageFemmeReveur · Nov 30, 2013

It will be worth it when you get your acceptance letter. When you graduate. When you pass the NCLEX. When you land a job. Every single time you pass a milestone on this journey you will feel proud, accomplished and victorious. Hell when this semester is over you should feel victorious, so savor it every time it comes cause you'll look back on what you went through and know it was worth it. My boyfriend's mom went back to school for pre-reqs at 33 with two kids and popped out another during nursing school. Often times him and his sister had to sit outside her classes and entertain themselves. When he went to bed his mom was studying and when he got up for school she was already up studying. During that time he barely got to see or spend time with her, his dad did almost everything for running the house and taking care of them plus working overtime frequently. He has told me about watching her struggle (very much what you described in your post). She's a NICU overnight nurse now. She was able to be home with her kids during the day once she reached this goal. Now that only one of the kids is still in school she only work 3 days a week (not even married anymore) so she can be home when youngest is home. My point is people get through it. Though your kids may not be able to see/comprehend your struggle you are making a good sacrifice now to be provide even better in the future. You just gotta believe in yourself and the choices you have made.

MyOwnBlueSky · Nov 30, 2013

It will be worth it when you get your acceptance letter. When you graduate. When you pass the NCLEX. When you land a job. Every single time you pass a milestone on this journey you will feel proud accomplished and victorious. Hell when this semester is over you should feel victorious, so savor it every time it comes cause you'll look back on what you went through and know it was worth it. My boyfriend's mom went back to school for pre-reqs at 33 with two kids and popped out another during nursing school. Often times him and his sister had to sit outside her classes and entertain themselves. When he went to bed his mom was studying and when he got up for school she was already up studying. During that time he barely got to see or spend time with her, his dad did almost everything for running the house and taking care of them plus working overtime frequently. He has told me about watching her struggle (very much what you described in your post). She's a NICU overnight nurse now. She was able to be home with her kids during the day once she reached this goal. Now that only one of the kids is still in school she only work 3 days a week (not even married anymore) so she can be home when youngest is home. My point is people get through it. Though your kids may not be able to see/comprehend your struggle you are making a good sacrifice now to be provide even better in the future. You just gotta believe in yourself and the choices you have made.[/quote']
I loved your response dream catcher. So inspirational. Thank you. I too am a mom. I'm 40 years old in pursuit of a dream. I see how it's affecting my kids and wonder sometimes if its worth if. But then I read posts like this and am reminded.... Yes. It will be worth it.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Nov 30, 2013

I am having some of the same overwhelming feelings right now. I was so thankful for the Thanksgiving break just so I could decompress a little. But classes start again Monday and I am ready for the semester to be over.

Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2013

Unfortunately for us, my instructor flat out said we shouldn't take a break, that we'd be dumb to waste so much time, because it's going to be hard. Instead, we should study and ignore our families so that we could fathom B's in the class. She's gotten so behind, that I have 362 flash cards for micro, and I'm only half done with the study packet. Then in AP, we have two weeks to learn everything about the nervous system. This is what's overwhelming me. Plus the nature of the apparent "cut-throat" environment it is for admissions.

It's also scary because I don't have time to really keep going. I can't add another year to my schooling, and essentially(in my present situation) if I don't get in next year I have to get a job. I've been given the luxury of going to school, while living at my mom's house. But she was only in the OK to do it without expecting me to have to redo things.

I don't even get a winter break this year, because I'm going to be taking classes over the winter, to try and not overwhelm myself too much over Spring. I'm just so overwhelmed. So so so overwhelmed. I want to just give up, but at the same time I don't..

Sorry more venting >__

SageFemmeReveur · Dec 1, 2013

Don't be sorry! You have to let it out, this is a good place to do it. What works best for me is to just allow myself to feel whatever it is I want to feel, express it out loud or in some physical way, then pick myself up and keep trying. Today I am really struggling with my math work and I can't take A&P and Stats if I don't get past the math I'm in now (everything is timed accordingly so I can apply next fall, one mistake and I have to wait another year to apply). I've hit a mental wall, I can not understand the work and I feel so *bleeping* stupid. I spent a good hour crying about it. Spent some time on here and now I'm about to try again. I also won't be getting much of a winter break, I'll be taking a 3 week course. You're instructor sounds like a real piece of work but honestly I think you should block her out. What she's doing and saying is not helpful and if it's causing this much stress you have to ignore her. Roll your eyes if that's what it will take to block her words. While it's true that admissions are competitive worrying about it won't change it. Concern your mind with doing your best work and achieving the grade you want. You should also take a beat and give yourself a treat. Something, anything, because you can't keep going until you de-stress and recompose your self. I know you are in a scary position but all you can do is keep truckin' and do your best, control what you can and let everything else fall into line based on your accomplishments.