Had to pull out.....

Published

Just thought I'd vent...

I am a first year student in the Baccalaurette degree program. I am a 33 yr old wife and mom to two kids, 5 and 7. For the last two years I had finished up high school sciences in order to apply for the nursing program. I was one of a lucky (or so I thought)66 students accepted out of approx. 500 applicants. Anyway, started first semester in September and I am totally burned out already......I took 12 credits this term and found I had no time for my family, let alone for myself. On average I think I was putting in around 10 hours a day class/study time. Right now I've got two more finals to go and the only thing I look forward to is spending time with my kids and some R & R. ANYTHING but school, and nursing seem to be the farthest thing on my mind at this point. SO.... I did the inthinkable. I am taking next semester off to reevaluate everything. I guess I need to see what it is that is really important in my life, and maybe pushing myself to total exhaustion is not my thing right now. Just wondering....is anyone in the same boat? Do you find school so overwhelming and it never gets easier?

Kyla,

I understand your burnout and exhaustion. I have a four year old at home (and two grown and on their own). I couldn't make it without the help and support of my husband.

But one thing I found that has worked for me is, I do NOT study in the evenings; I spend time with my family. Then I usually go to bed early right after my son does. After spending time with my family and then sleeping well for about 6 hours, I get up VERY EARLY (2 or 3) to study. I have discovered that I retain more after a rested sleep anyway, then trying to in the evening when I'm tired and my brain is mushy. I usually leave for school in the mornings before my son and husband wake up, so my husband does the morning routine with my son and gets him to daycare. Then when I get out of school I pick my son up from daycare (unless I'm very exhausted - then I go home and take a nap and let my husband pick him up after work). Then I spend the evening with my family again. On weekends, studying is done in intervals - an hour or two at a time while my husband watches my son, then I take a couple hours break and spend time with my son and give my husband a break. This system works very well for us.

I hope that you are able to work out something that is good for you and your family, but I agree with a previous poster that maybe you should wait till after your Christmas break before you decide rather than right now when you are exhausted, stressed, and burnt out. Best wishes to you and your family. :kiss

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Yes, I agree with the advice to wait to make your decision, also. Take some time to decompress before doing anything else. When you can go at the problem in a clear and rested frame of mind, you may come up with a solution that you aren't able to see right now.

Best of luck to you, and hang in there!

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Hi Kyla,

I'm sorry things are so rough for you right now. Have you considered an ADN program? You can take your pre-req's ahead of time and then you will only have the Nursing courses to do (that is a lot in itself of course). Then 4 semesters you're done.

I looked in to a Bachelor's and although it would take only one more semester for me (due to amount of pre-req's already done) it was much more rigorous because of some additional required courses. I decided for my health and my family's well being to do the ADN program and pursue the BSN down the line.

Family is important, but you may want to wait until you've had some down time to rest and re-coup. If you still feel like you should withdraw at that point at least you'll know it is not exhaustion making your decisions.

I wish you the best in whatever you decide.

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Hi Kyla,

I agree that you made the right decision for you and you shouldn't feel bad about it all.

As a full time career person and part time student I understand how difficult it is to balance everything. Are there any programs around you that are ASN, part-time or evening/weekend? I am a part time ASN student and I go to class one night a week and do my clinical on Saturdays. I have also completed all of my pre requisities and co-requisites so all I have to do is concentrate on my actual nursing/clinical class.

Many people are able to work full time, take care of family and go to school full time too but why put that pressure on yourself if there are other education options available to you. I hope that there are other options available in your area. Don't count yourself completely out of the game.

Good luck

Col

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Hey everyone,

thanks for all the words of encouragement! I'm very lucky in the fact that the program I'm in a person can have up to 8 years to finish. So, I did't burn any bridges, and the Nursing Program Adviser was very supportive and didn't seem in the least surprised. I'm sure there has been other mom's who have taken the 8 year option......Anyway, I will take this time to reevaluate my goals and hopefully can make a decision one way or another. I am like many of you are, I strive for the A and A+'s and it's just really hard to lower the expectations. It takes so much effort to get those kind of grades, but yet I still do. Maybe those expectations are a part of what was instilled in me-to do the best or not do it at all! (Thank god for parents like that). But, why wasn't I like that in high school?????????

Right now it seems my kids come number one, above everything else. They are growing up so fast, and I've missed out on so much already. At least taking this semester off will allow me some precious time with them and get my goals back on track.

Bye for now!

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Specializes in Psych.

I am planning to return to school for ADN. I'm working as a systems analyst now and I will quit and go to school full-time after I get 2 pre-requ's done (one at a time) while I still am working. My job right now requires very little OT. I have assumed that if I take 12-15 hours of ADN classes, then I should be able to attend class and do most of my studying during the day - I thought I would treat it like my job - get up, get the kids to school, go to campus and then spend all day there attending class and studying. Pick up kids about 4:00. Study some on weekends for tests and occasionally work in an hour of study here - n - there evenings before tests.

Now I'm reading these posts and thinking AM I CRAZY? Sounds like it's going to require MUCH more study time that I ever imagined. What's it been like for you all? Let me know.

Meredith

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I wish you luck no matter what you choose to do. I went to nursing school as an adult. I didn't have children but I had to work and owned a house. Really difficult to get home after working the 3-11 shift (with a 1 hour drive) and be at clinical at 7 AM. I partially understand what you are saying.

The problem is that if you take off one semester you will probably not go back and if they had 500 applicants for those few seats, would they let you back into the program? I was working as a nurses aid and if I hadn't finished school I would still have a low paying job. Try to focus on the future and the ability to have a better job and provide for your family. Good luck.

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic Transplant Telemetry.

I do understand what you are talking about. I am just finishing up my second semester and we are all wiped out. What keeps me going is how good it felt at the end of first semester. I want that feeling again, and I know that the feeling of accomplishment will make up for a multitude of sleepless nights and cold dinners

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