I'm a 20-year-old guy from Indiana (close to Indianapolis) and I've dealt with depression/anxiety my whole life (as well as occasional IBS). I am very introverted, and have almost no friends.
I want to be a nurse. I really, really, really do. I used to volunteer at Methodist Hospital and my days as a volunteer caring for people were some of the happiest of my life. I absolutely loved it. Even before then, I knew I was destined for healthcare. It's the one thing that I've always been super passionate about.
This is my problem: I'm scared of starting nursing school. Scared out of my skin. I'm scared that I might not be accepted to a school, I'm scared of having a car wreck on the way to school, I'm scared of getting bad grades, I'm scared of not passing the NCLEX, I'm scared of not getting a job, I'm scared I won't be able to follow through with anything.
I'm just flat-out scared of everything, and I can't overcome it. I honestly feel like I have no one who believes in me and will always be there for me through those tough times.
The only school I can find that is close (IUPUI) is a 4-year BSN program that you have to be accepted to and is very competitive. I've tried to find ASN programs, but they're usually really far away. Same goes with the CNA programs, none of them are close, and people always say that CNA is a terrible job.
I graduated high school 2010. It is now 2 years later and I still don't know what to do with my life. I'm afraid I'm going to end up in a job that I will be miserable at and will just wither away to nothing.
Can someone please give me some advice? I simply don't know what to do anymore.
Volunteer with your local fire company, They'll train you as an EMT/firefighter. You'll then see if you like to interact with patients (the EMT part) and can handle the whole fire-fighting/rescue thing. Good training and experience at low or no cost to you.
Frankly, the nursing part is not that hard if you figure out that you like the whole patient interaction dynamic.
Hi there Axmann. I'm a 31 year old guy working on his prereqs in an associate's degree in nursing. I also have had a very long and painful fight with depression and anxiety. My best advice I can give you is to make sure the depression/anxiety is treated appropriately. Also, learn as much as you can about depression. I found depression much easier to deal with when I was able to start noticing myself exhibit the signs and symptoms of depression and its related disorders (like anxiety). It was also comforting to find out that I was not a monster and there was a logical explanation for the way that I seemed to feel all the time.
Bottom line: Make sure your depression and anxiety is treated effectively, educate yourself and take it ONE DAY AT A TIME. Try not to think long term. Just do everything that is required of you day by day. You'll be surprised how much these 3 things can help. Best wishes to you.
Edit: Also you said, "I honestly feel like I have no one who believes in me and will always be there for me through those tough times." This is a VERY common feeling. If you have had depression all your life you have undoubtedly heard someone tell you, "Well, if you just stop feeling sorrry for yourself...". Most people don't understand depression. Many people who have it don't know that they have it and have become resigned to "accept" they are just a bad person. Not only is feeling helpless/hopeless one of the signs and symptoms of depression but the fact is most people don't understand it (and this doesn't help things). They think you can "will it away". Take great care to educate yourself on the subject. Knowledge can be a comforting thing even when you're in the middle of fighting the symptoms.
My husband has struggled with anxiety and OCD throughout his life. He has genetic tendencies towards it, and the condition got strong as he grew up with an alcoholic dad who was violent and unpredictable. My husband has learned to manage it and his anxiety actually helps him in his job as an attorney, where he gets paid to anticipate trouble and guard against it.
Like Griffin said, you need to study up on depression and anxiety and then treat it. My husband tries to avoid his triggers and has learned that regular exercise helps reduce worry. He also doesn't let his anxiety talk him out of doing what he wants to do. Immersion therapy is a pretty effective way to treat anxiety.
Depression and anxiety are often treated with Prozac but I've seen a study recently showing that the effects wear off after long term use and patients usually do better treating it with behavioral therapy than with drugs. But try whatever works for you.
Tons of people have your struggle. It's best to deal with it now then to let it continue to trouble you. In the long run, I think it will help you be a great nurse and you'll be really well equipped to help patients with the same problems. Take care and let us know how you're doing.
You need to talk to your provider about this. Crippling anxiety is not normal and there is help available. Start with your PCP.
:)
^^This^^
Fear and anxiety over the future is normal. Fear and anxiety that paralysis you and prevents you from performing activities you would otherwise attempt is NOT normal. You need to go to your doctor. This sounds like a clinical condition that needs some sort of therapy: medication, counseling, or a combination thereof.
chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B
1,139 Posts
Volunteer with your local fire company, They'll train you as an EMT/firefighter. You'll then see if you like to interact with patients (the EMT part) and can handle the whole fire-fighting/rescue thing. Good training and experience at low or no cost to you.
Frankly, the nursing part is not that hard if you figure out that you like the whole patient interaction dynamic.
Best of luck to you.