help :(

madnurse2b · May 22, 2009

Exercise regularly (helps the head and the bod), make sure you have lots of healthy snacky bits - I like celery sticks with salsa for studying - I can crunch and be angry with them :wink2: Make sure you have a support system in school not just out. And realize you may not be the only one going home and crying. It was the end of this semester before I found out there were people in my class who thought I would never cry! How wrong they are...

Take care of you first and know that you can do this - you are good enough, smart enough, and gosh darn it people like you! :bugeyes:

cursedandblessed · May 22, 2009

stress is a killer. take a walk, dance-turn on the music you love the best and dance by yourself in the living room, take yourself out to lunch, take a bubble bath, yoga, massage.

now for a dirty little secret of mine: do you remember spinning yourself around as a kid, until you were dizzy and silly?? it will do amazing things for your mind. someone shared this with me a few years ago, and i thought it was the dumbest thing i'd ever heard, until i tried it. it's best done on grass away from hard and sharp objects.

pinkiepie_RN · May 22, 2009

Stress is a big part of nursing school but one of the things I learned (or at least the positive spin that I was able to put on it) was that nursing school not only teaches you nursing things, it teaches you life skills too. I picked up coping skills and learned quickly that I had to take care of myself if I were ever to expect to take good care of patients too. I think that exercise is definitely key in keeping both stress and weight in check, but make sure you do something you like and do it when you can. Sneak in things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator and laughing to yourself even when you want to cry. Remind yourself why you got into nursing in the first place; it's a passion and a calling, and a very wonderful path to endeavor on. Find hobbies to do when you can as well. I learned how to knit before I got into school and although I didn't *finish* many knitting projects while in school, I certainly started a bunch when it came crunch time and I needed stress relief and distraction. Tell yourself that you can do this. While pre-requisites are often nowhere near as time consuming and engulfing as nursing classes are, your school obviously thought you could do it if you were accepted over other students. It may not seem like much, but I second positive self talk and telling yourself things like what cursedandblessed said.

I just graduated nursing school today, and despite all of the drama, tears shed, sleepless nights, and moments where I said "I just can't do it anymore" (only to have my fiance tell me that I definitely could), I know nursing school was the best decision I've ever made. Enjoy the ride!

kimeekakes · May 22, 2009

I felt the same way. It does get better. I have 3 more months to go. Now time to get stressed about nclex.

melmarie23, MSN, RN · May 22, 2009

I signed up for a half marathon. I will use the study breaks to go on my run/do my training. :-)

melmarie23, MSN, RN · May 22, 2009

basically you need to fit in some "you" time and give yourself a break every now and again.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 22, 2009

What you are feeling is the norm for a nursing student. During my first and second semester I cried once a week if not more. I gained weight and felt high levels of stress and anxiety. I do work out ( not as often as I should) and try to snack healthy. Its hard but we must take care of ourselves if we want to take care of others. Good luck in your LPN school ! You'll be a nurse before you know it.