Feeling overwhelmed

[Miffy]

Hey everyone,

I just came on to vent a little bit, and see if other people are feeling the same way. I'm currently nearing the end of my second to last semester of NP school and find it very hard just getting through. Commute to clinical is an hour to 2 hours one way, depending on my placement. When I am at my placement, I feel overwhelmed. I feel like I have no idea what I am doing, and it scares me. I hate knowing that I don't know as much as a I should know to take care of patients properly. It gives me intense anxiety and keeps me up at night. Knowing that lives are in my hands when I feel inadequate is tough. My courses don't have textbooks and my professors are unapproachable, which makes me feel even more like I don't have any clue what I am doing. Unfortunately, I feel very alone in my experience, and like no one understands. My health seems to be suffering from all the worry and stress I feel. My BP has been pre-hypertensive and I've seen a massive weight gain since starting my program. I haven't really connected with my classmates, which also makes it hard since I feel I lack support. Most days, I really question my decision to become an NP. Does anyone else feel this way? I really hope it gets better when graduating, but without the support of preceptors in the real world, I think I may have even more anxiety than I do now.

[MiaLyse, APRN]

I am not in a Nurse Practitioner Program yet but I just wanted to say that I hope things get better. I hope that your anxiety can be lessened somehow. That is sad and tough that your instructors are unapproachable. :(I

[Nursing girl28]

Hi,

I know it's been a while but have you thought of joining a facebook group for your school? I attend the University of South Alabama (USA), Mobile, AL and so far in all my courses there is a fb group for students. We vent there and I met some of our course mates when I had to attend clinical orientation at Mobile. I am in constant contact with the groups there for assistance with clinical questions, homework assignments. It does help to vent believe me and before you know it almost everyone has the same complaints as you. I am in the BSN-DNP Psych NP program.

[RN_is_the_way_to_go]

Hi There!

I know it's been a while since you posted this. But I wanted to ask you how you are liking USA? I just got accepted for Spring 2018. I wanted to see if you took both Advanced Physiology and Advanced Pharmacology together? Did you work f/t? USA said I could take one class at a time; however, it would move everything back a year. Any advice you can give is much appreciated! Take care and congratulations for your accomplishment so far!!!

[BostonFNP, APRN]

I hate knowing that I don't know as much as a I should know to take care of patients properly. It gives me intense anxiety and keeps me up at night. Knowing that lives are in my hands when I feel inadequate is tough.

It may sound strange to hear, but this is a good thing. Knowing what you don't know and self-reflective practice is an important component of practicing safely. There is not a provider out there that knows everything, and if you are aware of where that line is for you, then you should be able to safely practice.

This job comes with a level of anxiety, and you need to compartmentalize it as you enter practice. It fades a little with time, but many providers find themselves waking up in the middle of the night at times in a panic about a patient. You absolutely have lives in your hands and that responsibility comes with a degree of anxiety.

My courses don't have textbooks and my professors are unapproachable, which makes me feel even more like I don't have any clue what I am doing. Unfortunately, I feel very alone in my experience, and like no one understands. I haven't really connected with my classmates, which also makes it hard since I feel I lack support.

It sounds like your program is really letting you down; it may help to try and find someone at your school to talk to about this.

I really hope it gets better when graduating, but without the support of preceptors in the real world, I think I may have even more anxiety than I do now.

It gets better with time. Once you are out in the real world you will have demonstrated basic competency by passing the board exams, and as you move to practice you never practice alone. Identify mentors and work closely with them. If you have questions, ask.

[mushyrn, BSN, RN]

It sounds like you joined an online NP program, which in my opinion, is unfortunate. These proliferating online NP programs are degrading to the profession at the moment, no matter what people say. No textbooks? No professor availability? That makes me so sad for you and your fellow students, because honestly, you deserve better, and so do our patients. But, that's another topic altogether. If your professors aren't speaking to you, go above them to find the reason as to why they aren't talking to you. They have a boss.

Also, when we first graduated nursing school, at least myself, I felt the same way a new NP grad generally feels - unprepared. You learn as you go. It's called "practicing" healthcare for a reason. Good luck to you, and to your future patients who trust you to manage their health.