Does Nursing School equal Depression?

[Anbo3882]

Since I have started Nursing School (October start date. I am now halfway through my Accelerated BSN program.) I have had this overwhelming depression. I don't know if its the stress or constantly comparing myself to the overwhelming gorgeous girls in my cohort, but I can't seem to feel alright with myself. I am doing well in the program (3.5 gpa) but I have no energy for my daily activities outside of school. I have packed on the pounds. My room is a mess, family stress is through the roof, and lets not mention the financial hardships. Everyday I want to quit. Am I alone in this? Or does everyone go through this?

[SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN]

Anbo, this a good place to come and vent. Nursing school is stressing, you short change your family time to study, you exchange going out with friends to stay home and review for that exam, and this is constant, sometimes to the point where we isolate ourselves from the comfort that we know.

I am glad that you reached out, hopefully you will be put on a treatment that will regulate your hormone levels. I agree with one poster about random drug testing nowdays, make sure you state before they take your sample what are you taking and that you have Rx to back it up.

There is so much you have going for yourself, as many have previously stated. There is a saying in Spanish "adelante, adelante, no mires atras ni para impulso", translating to "keep going forward, do not look back, not even to get a boost".

Wishing you the best. Wake up everyday saying thank you and how awesome you are :)

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Can't really say I feel ya Anbu, but you're doing a heck a lot better in terms of grades than I am and that's all the maters for now! Just keep up the good work and stay positive.

As for stress, I guess you gotta find your own way of coping. Mine was definitely SLEEP! If I wasn't studying, going to school, at clinicals, or at work, I would sleep. I would also occasionally play some videogames and go for some late night drinks with some close friends to vent/chill.

[LisalaRN99, BSN, RN]

Yay Anbu! You are on your way to recovery for sure! Some times it can be the simplest things! Well hormones aren't all that simple, but you know what I mean! Hang in there!

[Anbo3882]

I don't t know if anyone mentioned this but my school does random drug testing where they show up at class one night and pull 10 people out and drug test them. I would be prepared for that as well. Talk to your doctor.

There are no random drug test. We are tested and background checked once per year. I have already had mine for this year. I talked to the administrators today regarding antidepressant use and their response was, as long as I have a valid prescription, there would be no action against me. I am not currently on antidepressants because the psychiatrist/counselor I talked to today didn't see a need, especially because of the hormone levels. She wanted me to consult with the endocrinologist before anything was prescribed (I see him tomorrow). She said that this is likely a temporary depression brought on by high levels of stress considering that I have no previous history of depression or mental illness. She said the important thing is that I recognized it and reached out for support quickly, before it got out of hand or started to affect me in school. I will be seeing her once a week for the next 8 weeks to follow my progress. At the end of that 8 weeks she will evaluate to see if further sessions are needed.