Does nursing school exist to eat your self esteem alive?

[caffeineRx]

Ok, so I guess I'm not an overly confident person to begin with. I scored in the 94th percentile, nationally, for the NLN entrance exam. I felt pretty decent about that. I told myself " I guess I am somewhat "smart" ". However, I don't feel that way. I feel like EVERYONE is "getting it", except me. I fly by in AP & Math Classes..and I'm even alright in Nursing 101. That's not that hard of a class. But for our core nursing class, our teacher is something else..I feel SO ignorant. It's pretty lame..but I feel like it's destroying the meager self-esteem that I had to begin with. Basically, nursing school is not helping my confidence. It might be bad enough that I struggle with depression anyway..but I feel like it's pushing me in a downward spiral..into a black pit. What is my deal? I have no idea why this is such a big issue. Things that are worthwhile are NOT meant to be easy. I know this. I also know that nursing school weeds out the weak...so why do I feel so weak? This is so opposite of what I am like. It's actually sort of embarrassing to admit this. I'm starting to feel panicked and having trouble concentrating. There are times I literally zone out. It's like I'm "high" in space. At least I'm imagining that's what it would feel like. If I make it to next semester, we have clinicals. I feel like I'm going to be nervous since I don't feel like I know ANYTHING. Grrrr...I am trying so hard to focus. Has anyone experienced this? What did you do? I SWORE I would not let nursing school make me cry. In fact, I just KNEW it wouldn't make me cry. So much for that..I have cried so many times. I feel completely incompetent at times.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Hi inbox - you might want to ask a moderator to move this to a more appropriate forum as I think Weight Loss, Diets, and Health Tips is the wrong one. Which may be why you haven't had a response yet.

I'm not sure specifically what you are struggling with.

But I do know there were many times that I struggled and cried and felt like one nursing instructor in particular had it in for me.

It is kinda like boot camp unfortunately. It doesn't exist to eat away at your self esteem though.

I think college can be tough regardless of the major - right now my oldest son is going for his Masters in City Planning and working full time and on the So. Cal freeways all day long. He is very stressed.

I hope you get more answers - I know the members here are full of good ideas.

:redbeathe((((inbox))))):redbeathe

steph

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

When I started my prerequisites, I was so anxious about whether I'd be able to do it that I was having panic attacks before class and crying. A combination of therapy, meds and realizing that I was actually doing pretty well built up my self esteem.

I highly recommend someone professional to talk to. 94th percentile is AMAZING, and it seems like most people have an adjustment phase with nursing school. I thought my classes were not that bad but took an NCLEX-style exam today and it was much harder than the tests we'd been having during the quarter. I know by the time I'm done with school I'll be ready to be a nurse, but from where I stand now, there's just so much to learn!

Affirmations were immensely helpful to me when I was at my worst. I put them inside the cover of my notebook so that I saw them every time I opened my notes for class and for studying. I'd always thought of affirmations as new-age cheesiness, but you know, they do work. Here are a few that I used:

I am doing well in school. I am smart. I can continue to do well in school. I can work hard. I will stay on top of the reading this summer. My mistakes don't own me, but I own the wisdom and experience I've gained from them. I have a lot of good things in my life.

And because I lent my notes to a classmate the week before finals because she was a single mom and had been sick and I felt sorry for her and then didn't get my notes back from her until the day before finals: Just say no. No one needs and explanation.

Be kind to yourself.