First week of nursing school and I already had my first good cry

future L&Dnurse · Aug 31, 2007

I cried a lot my first semester, honestly. Between stress, and the sheer volume of work, and the number of deaths on the unit I was on, I cried a lot.

Hang in there. I'm starting my 3rd semester (out of 4) next week and it really does become more manageable.

lvnhopeful · Aug 31, 2007

Crying is good for you, helps get the frustration out and then you can get back on target.

I am not a cryer, wasn't raised to let it out. I have cried in nursing school a few times since I started, two months ago. It is overwhelming, and it builds up.

A couple of days ago one of my instructors saw my face as I was leaving the bathroom and kindly took the time to tell me that the first two month were the hardest because they are getting us ready for clinicals. There is a lot of prep for that. She said that after clinicals start some of the stress is relieved because we will have more time to complete our tasks. I hope she is right, even so, I will continue. They are there to get you through, so ask for help at every opportunity. Also, rely on classmates to share the workload whenever possible.

It does get better, and so will you. You can and will get through. :nurse:

FuturoEnfermera · Aug 31, 2007

But then remember the best cry of all-graduation!!!! And yes it will happen if you just hang in there, grab hold of some good friends in class along with you that know what you are going thru like nobody else does and eventually you are standing in front of a standing ovation all dressed in white with the biggest smile on your face and those darn tears again. But this time they are the best tears in the whole world.
You can do it and don't ever feel like you can't.

Ok, this made me tear up. I'm a mess and I've never really been an emotional person (I've always been able to hide it anyway). I start my program on Tuesday. I got a knot in my throat like 10 times during orientation. Lol. I wasn't even this emotional when I was pregnant. I think this is just a really emotional time for all of us. We've all worked for years (prerequisites and all) to get to this point and, at least for me, it's a crazy feeling to actually be starting nursing school, the real fricken thing! We've all thought about what it would be like for what feels like forever and here we are. Just think, next year we'll be reassuring all the new new people.

Just wanted to add, my crying is happy crying. =)

Sabby_NC · Aug 31, 2007

Awwwwwww crying is a good stress reliever.

Hang in there and remember the flip side. You will be an RN and the tears will become a distant memory. :icon_hug:

waitingforthedream · Aug 31, 2007

You really have to take it day by day by day..... If you get ahead of yourself, you will suffer. One step at a time, you will be fine. It is so overwhelming at first, but you do find a system that works for you. The most important thing is to stay on top of the reading, never get behind in that. Take a deep breath and enjoy, you have worked hard to get to this point. Good Luck. By the way I just started my second semester and I still feel over worked and I still cry!! :lol2:

midcom · Sep 1, 2007

I am just about to finish my 4th (& last!!!!) term of LPN classes & I discovered that there was a point, usually about 3 weeks into the term where I got very overwhelmed, tired, and discouraged and the tears would flow. After a few days, it was much better. I have shared this with each class that came after me, assuring them that it was normal & they'd make it through. So will you.

Dixie

lizzyberry · Sep 1, 2007

Yes!!!!!!!! I always heard of people who finished nursing school they always said they cried and maybe that got in my head so thats why I already cried. But yes it is so overwelming and I did have my first cry! Your not the only one.

eldragon · Sep 1, 2007

I've had several breakdowns so far, and I'm in my 4th block of an LPN program.

The first breakdown was when I was studying my behind off to try to learn some certain body system in a matter of hours. I didn't think I'd do it - but I did it~!

And you can, too.

Hang in there.

JQuezadaS4 · Sep 3, 2007

I know how it feels to feel so overwhelmed! I did 8 summer classes at UNF all of them with different start and end dates-- i was soo overwhelmed that I cried everyday!!! But i made it, and those 8 classes were OVER!

I hope everyone is happy at least to know that week 1 is behind us!

Maybey my suggestion will help- I keep a dry erase board calendar in my study area, I have marked down specific times and days to study things. It has helped me breathe knowing that I wont forget to study or wont have time.. If it is written down I know it exisits and that I have to schedule around it.-- I also keep an alarm clock on my cell to remind me when i have to stop studying one thing and take a break before starting a new subject.-- The breaks really help.

Just hang in there and know that the occassional cry is totally natural!

sharona97, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2007

That calendar is a good idea and I totally agree with keeping up with the reading.

When I felt guilty about not reading to my kid, I had him read his own little book. It worked!

Msnurselaura · Sep 4, 2007

Im now a month into my first semester and lets just say that I had ONE good cry....It helped, and made me stronger and Ive actually gave myself some good pep talks in the car on the way to Clinical. Just hang in there, Like medicmom said the best cry will be on Graduation day!!!!!

Msnurselaura · Sep 4, 2007

Im now a month into my first semester and lets just say that I had ONE good cry....It helped, and made me stronger and Ive actually gave myself some good pep talks in the car on the way to Clinical. Just hang in there, Like medicmom said the best cry will be on Graduation day!!!!!