How do you find support while you're still applying to nursing school?

Upward_Bound · Nov 4, 2015

P.S

I am no longer acknowledging personal attack style comments.

WellThatsOod · Nov 4, 2015

P.S
I am no longer acknowledging personal attack style comments.

Good for you. I hope you can refrain from making them as well.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Nov 4, 2015

You choose your own destiny. You don't rely on anonymous strangers to fill your need for companionship and support. You make a conscious effort to seek out like minded individuals whether in your neighborhood, at work, in class or otherwise. Join activities at school. Don't look for controversy and "jealousy" where there is none. You previously posted that you inspired others to pursue nursing school with you, are they not your friends/companions? You referred to them as friends. That is where you find support with those pursuing your prenursing education. Make study groups. Say hi. Ask someone out for coffee. Ask for help preparing for tests. Be on time for class and do your part in group projects so the full group collaborates and puts forth a best effort. People notice those who are punctual and prepared.

VicChic20 · Nov 4, 2015

You can always talk to a counselor/therapist to get support from. You can join a group or a club at the school you're at to meet new friends.

WellThatsOod · Nov 4, 2015

1. I don't have a family. (other than one who depends on me)
2. I tried this forum but people have been mean to me
3. I moved and don't know anyone here
Where do you guys go to find support when things get rough?
And thank the (few) of you girls so much, you've been more helpful than I could have imagined.

1) Honestly, this sucks, straight forward. You should be able to get support from your family, whether they depend on you or not. Just because they depend on you doesn't mean they can't ask you questions about your day, see if you need help with assessments, bring you cup of tea/coffee/whatever you like. Maybe you can have a clam conversation with them about how you're feeling, and they will "see the light" so to say. I sincerely hope this improves.

2) You've been mean to people on this forum, they've been mean back. People have been mean and you've been mean back. Tone down a bit, and people will help the best on online community can. Yes, there are some posters here who are just plain rude. But you've also attacked people because they didn't agree with you. Just calm yourself a bit, and people will come to help. I certainly didn't like some of the exchanges I saw on previous threads, but I'm still trying to help you.

3) This I find most crucial. Yes, I have lived where I am now for 5 years, I have amazing friends who support me, but they don't really understand. My friends I have made at school? THEY get it. I am really shy in person, like if I answer a question in class I blush just talking in front of people. It's something I've been working to overcome, it's hard. You need to try to make some friends as you go through this. Outside friends are great, but inside friends are valuable beyond words. I met my "nursing buddy" as I call her during a biology course we took in Summer 2014. Simply because she was an older student like me, I chose to sit with her in lab. After a couple weeks we started having lunch together. Now we're basically inseparable. It might take a few tries, but try to find even the smallest similarity, it might grow into something wonderful.

I wish you luck in this journey, it is hard. I truly hope you can find some support.

Farawyn · Nov 4, 2015

Ood, that response was compassionate.

Good luck, OP. I hope it improves for you.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2015

Helpful hint: In nursing school, you will receive a LOT of "constructive criticism." If you respond to that they way you respond to even the slightest hint of disagreement that you have encountered here, you will not make it through the program.

OWN your behavior. Be able to admit it when you're wrong.

Hold yourself to HIGH STANDARDS. You won't always meet them, but it's a good starting point. If you aim low, you'll achieve lower.

Support your fellow students-don't look for offense or view them as competition.

Learn to work well with others.

Don't argue with your instructors-they generally know what they're talking about. The finer points are irrelevant in the big picture.

Your fellow nursing students can provide a lot of support. But if you blow it, well, you're in for a real hard time.

direw0lf, BSN · Nov 4, 2015

Up I like you but why do you look for negativity? My complete guesses: you set yourself up for failure because you're so afraid you won't succeed or so down on yourself already or so anxious that you make yourself fail. For example saying "thank you girls " when you know that is insulting to members here because there are men here and in nursing. You know that because you made a thread with that already and got reactions that asked you to remember male nurses and instead of apologizing you acted superior. You may be superior to many people in many ways but it rubs off the wrong way and isolated you from more support you could have gotten here.

Where do do I think you should find support? I think a therapist to help with your negativity and anxiety. Where do I find it? In my dogs, music, walks in the woods, and with my closest friends.

I also moved recently and I hate my location. I used to get depressed about it. But when I drive to school I see people who are not given a chance to have a college education so I try to feel thankful for my life as hard as it has been. That helps to remember someone always has it worse helps to appreciate what opportunities I have now and that I can choose to make the best of it and strive for better.

honeyforasalteyfish · Nov 5, 2015

Whelp I get support from my counselor, and my peer mentor head. I am a peer mentor, and a math tutor. I know time is an issue when going to school, but if you can find a support group you enjoy that is the best kind of support.

Sometimes just talking about it helps. I am far from perfect, I get flack to I try not to respond negatively. Its hard.

Still constructive criticism has really helped my confidence, as well as some cheerleading, and I have got plenty of both.

In the end I found a lot of support from my profesors, and classmates in my BNA program as well it was a very rewarding experience for me, and despite running me like 1500 I am glad they added BNA certification to my target ADN programs prereqs I found a lot of support in that group, and tried to return it as best as I could.

Give support when you can, and you will find it reciprorcated by your peers.

Chrisley · Nov 5, 2015

Ood I ðŸ’– you â˜º. Your comment gave me a warm fuzzy.

OP, what are you looking for support wise? I don't have any family really either, also I've always had that sense of being on the outside looking in, I'm betting you feel that too. I've sort of embraced it, made peace with it. Try to surround yourself with a support system.

I will be your friend ðŸ˜„

ontnursec · Nov 6, 2015

Support in nursing school is important, but in my opinion the quality, not the quantity, is important. For example, as a mother, I didn't really make any friends in nursing school, except 1. I met her in college taking pre-nursing courses. She's now been my best friend for 5 years and is an amazing support. Try to meet people who share your same views and strike up a friendship. Remember though, you don't have to be friends with everyone.

As for the negativity, things can be misconstrued when just reading text. If you read something you feel is negative, try not to overthink or respond quickly with negativity. You are responsible for your actions. Stay positive becasue from here on out, in school and then in your career, things are going to be tough for a while.