First week of Nursing School and I am off to a bad start...Help!

ErikaMarie · Aug 30, 2012

I know how you feel. The hospice called my family to Michigan for her final hours. My parents left yesterday morning. I stay here...

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Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2012

I am so sorry for your loss....:hug:. Talk to your instructors. See a counsler at school. Talk to someone.

My prayers for your brother and your family:hug:

afterseason, ASN, RN · Aug 30, 2012

A girl in the cohort before me lost her infant to SIDS during the second semester. She just graduated and seems to be doing well. I don't have much point behind telling you this other than to sort of say "you can do it" and "you are not alone." I'm very sorry for your loss, and I hope that positive energy will surround you and help guide you during this difficult time. Good luck.

Skips, MSN, RN · Sep 1, 2012

I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you can come to terms with this tragedy and do what you need to do to heal. Best wishes.

ShineyNickelRN · Sep 1, 2012

Thank you everyone for the kind messages. I haven't given up. After I posted this I decided I was not going to give up. I was going to do my best to reach my dream of being a nurse. I know my brother was my biggest supporter and he would want me to continue on. I felt very panicked and behind but I decided to work on organizing my school stuff and that helped so much to point me in the right direction. I got organized and went through my syllabus's so I knew where I stood and how much I would need to do to catch up and I am getting there. I am staying focused on school. I have not told my instructors yet. My first 2 exams are this next week and then I have another for my third class a week after. I feel like I can catch up. I actually had done alot of reading before school started so that kind of saved my butt. So, I am going do to this!! Thank you everyone!

gatoraims RN · Sep 2, 2012

I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I lost my mother (best friend) in Aug. 2010 while I was in LPN school. She passed from a sudden heart attack. I did not want to have to tell my instructor about it but ended up needing to because I had a clinical they day we had her service. My instructor was so very supportive. She was able to work with my schedule, was able to give me information on support groups, and even had one of my assignments at a grief meeting. (the other students went to a psych clinical)

Your instructors may be a resource. Mine were.

I am also so glad that you are working hard to catch up. I can tell you that being busy in nursing school really helped me get through it. It was hard, I broke down a number of times during class or clinicals. Everyone was very supportive. I only told those who I was close to and all the instructors knew. I am now in a LPN-RN program and during the important days like birthdays, holidays, mothers day, it is nice to have stuff to distract me.

I wish you the best of luck. Hang in there. You are in one of the best programs for support. Most people get into nursing because they care. Lean on your fellow students if you need to.

threelilies · Sep 3, 2012

My deepest condolences. May this time of pain pass quickly.

My mother had a CVA the week before finals my first semester and my instructors were priceless in their help and support. Please talk to yours; there may be some flexibility in what you can do in your classwork. Also, when you're ready, you can be a resource for your classmates to help those who have never experienced loss like yours to have deeper compassion for their patients.

apina74 · Sep 3, 2012

I have not read the other replies or posts, but all I can say is hang in there. I was in a similar boat. Although I was not in the beginning of my first week of nursing, I was in my prerequisites in science and working full time when my brother was murdered in march of this year. That whole week away from school and work ( I missed 2 major exams) I thought about taking the time off and withdrawing for the semester, but when I communicated with my professors, I found they were very accommodating and understanding. And actually throwing myself into studying and catching up helped me to deal with some of the grief. It's now 6 months since my brother has been gone. I know he is happy I came through and did not stop. Hope this helps. And feel free to send me a MSG. Anytime. Sorry for you loss!!!

Kms210 · Sep 4, 2012

Like everyone has said, I am also so very sorry to hear of your brother's loss. My brother committed suicide when I was working on on my undergraduate degree. I dropped all classes except one and still had to work full time after his loss. It was hard and I'm glad I dropped the classes. Please take care of yourself, that's the most important thing. I know you may think that this is your time for nursing school, but dropping down one or two classes may just be what you need. take care.

xoxo.

Abby4031 · Sep 4, 2012

I am very sorry for your loss. I lost my mother this April, a few days before my last final, which we needed to pass before starting the last term of preceptorship. The school was extremely understanding and let me take "as much time as I needed." I took a good week off just to grieve, then took the final and went on to graduate with my RN diploma. I needed that week even more than I knew, and even though the grieving isn't over (I think of her daily) I was able to go back and complete the program. So, I strongly encourage you to tell your program director who can help you navigate this personal trauma and be successful. Good luck.

ShineyNickelRN · Sep 21, 2012

I appreciate all the support and advice on my post. I just have to tell you I didn't give up and did catch up. And I am doing really well in nursing school and getting better grades than I hoped for so far.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2012

I am heartened to see the posts noting the support and resources that faculty can be. Faculty are good people or they wouldn't be doing what they do -- for very short pay-- and they are nurses, once students just like you were.

I am so glad to hear that you are doing well in school. Recognize that this death will come back to you at times and in ways you will not be able to predict or prevent; roll with it, and do remember your faculty in your "tool kit" when they can help you with it.

Time will pass and the acute pain will soften. I hate the Reader's Digest-ish idea that suffering is inherently ennobling, but as we get older and lose our grandparents, parents, and siblings that does help us understand some of the things our patients go through. Treat yourself softly and remember you're not alone. :hug: