Just another "no friends in nursing school" rant

[prettywishes]

I've always been socially awkward and a bit unusual..strange, really. My mom used to tell me that in nursing school people find their best friends and become very tight knit. This hasn't happened for me. I'm now going into my second month and it seems like everyone has found their group, and I'm just kinda quiet and when I'm not, I'm spoken over or am not acknowledged.

I found out today that I'm the only person who scored a 90 or above on our first theory exam, and feel like that has placed me even further into not being liked although I was very humble about the grade I received. I realize I don't need a social group to finish nursing school, but it would take away the feeling of "outsider".. I've never had many friends, maybe 1-2 in regular school..sometimes none..but I had high hopes that this would change.

Is there anything that can make this journey easier other than having that social group? Is there a moment where things just suddenly change?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I don't remember or keep in touch with ANYONE from either my BSN class or my graduate studies. My step-daughter's mother is still best friends with her former roommate. You may have a more difficult time making friends than your mother did. Possibly her connections are more superficial but she has a large circle while your circle is smaller but the connections are deeper. Since you see yourself as socially awkward, it may take you a while to warm up to people and vice versa. Perhaps your circle of friends will find each other more slowly . . . after six months or a year. Don't worry about someone else's timetable. That's not you. You're an individual, and you'll make connections at your own pace.

[new gal]

Most of the people I have clicked with was just from inviting them with me to practice skills in our free time. Its more of a relaxed environment and you really do connect on a level you dont typically connect with other people outside of school. You help each other out, you cheer for them and cheer them up when they feel down about maybe having to repeat a skill. I am only two months in, but I am grateful to the few people who have joined me in lab practice, I look forward to seeing them, which can make the nursing school journey that much easier.

[GaleSRN51]

I never made friends in school, either. I never quite fit in. In reality, I didn't make that many friends at work. However, I have had an amazing career for the past 40 years. I have always been the odd duck, but I have made contributions throughout my career. I have worked on innovative procedures, pioneered different procedures. Your intelligence will set you apart, so focus on being the best in what you do. Always reach beyond the basics. Your light will shine.

[TessLJ]

Is there anything that can make this journey easier other than having that social group? Is there a moment where things just suddenly change?

Curious; how many students are in your nursing class? Years ago my class was 104, and so it wasn't easy to know people in my class, much less make friends. Top that off with the fact that I had little to no spare time, and most of that was spent, studying, at work, or with my fiancé. But over time I did get to know others. I joined a study group, which helped out a lot. I had friends that I would sit with and go to lunch with, but to be honest, 25 years later, I haven't spoken to a single one of those people.

It may be that you find friends outside of your nursing classmates. Try to find ways to get to know other people. You could try to start a study group, or look for other hobby groups that you might could join (or start one). Find a volunteer group to join.

[Lauren Ross]

Give yourself permission to be who you are. Own it. Don't apologize for it. However, here are some pointers that may help. Put your feelings on hold. If you see students sitting at a table, ask to join them. Listen to them and repeat their names in order to remember their names. Don't be the last one to leave the table. Tell them you hope to eat with them again sometime and excuse yourself. If there is a discussion of something you are good at-start a study group. Volunteer to organize it.

[Royalq]

So far im a month into my program and theres no one im really friends with nor do i really care. Im cordial and friendly and they strike up convo with me all the time. I can sit around and chit chat for a while. When i walk by they always call out to me and want to talk. So i guess people like me more than i like them. But i simply feel no connection to them like i did friends in high school. I dont really mind. Im an introvert but from day 1 i put myself out there to be open and friendly because it makes things easier.

Im also getting good grades so far. I pass my skills check offs and do really well on my tests. Alot of people get low scores. I would advice you to beat around the bush when sharing your high grade .So when i get a high score and they ask me how'd i do i just say "i did alright, i mean i passed and thats all thats important" and kind of laugh it off. Some will drop it there while others will pry for a specific number, if they pry ill just tell them. Be open aboit how you study . I dont invite anyone to study with me because i do better on my own.

[imhorsemackerel, LPN]

For LPN school, it was easy to make friends as i was with the majority of the same people for months at a time. In clinicals we were usually paired up and had to take care of a patient. During this time, when there's any downtime, maybe you can bring up some small talk with your partner or your classmates. Perhaps talk about an assignment and what they suggest. If you have to do a case study or project, talk about that.

Some people you just won't be friends with. And thats ok. Hopefully they won't be your partner throughout nursing school. I'm assuming you'll have classes with a different mix of people for the most part. Always an opportunity to meet new friends.

I was kind of known as the convenience store as I always had hand sanitizer, pens, band aids, other random things people needed.

[iamalagirl]

For my RN program, there were 40 students in the first semester but graduated only 19 of us.

They made a group of 2 to 4 people, and I was not able to get into any group.

I was not able to make a friend in RN program because I was so busy to survive and also socially shy.

Many classmates texted, called, and emailed me whenever they need my help since I was good student, very organized and nice to everyone.

However, no one texted me to just chat or something.

One girl whom I often talked in the class seems like she was my friend because I was useful for her (like letting her to copy my notes and giving her study guides I created, etc). I noticed she never texted or called me anything else but school thing. We are just graduated from RN program, and she totally forgot about me. She doesn't even text me back.

One of my former classmate posted a picture of dinner with 6 of our classmates. All of them texted or called me all the time for studying help or paper help, but I wasn't invited...

I feel little used by them because of that....

So, I totally understand your situation. I feel really sad now. I noticed after graduating, I have no one from RN program to talk to.

I am hoping to make a friend from my co-workers once I started working as an RN.

RN program was very interesting place...