How did you get through nursing school?

pixierose, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2016

You must be using banks!!

Sigh. No.

And this isn't an appropriate thread to get into this "discussion."

Moving on...

SarahMaria, MSN, RN · Mar 14, 2016

Like my professor said if you are not putting in 6-12 hours a day in your are going to fail. I did not believe him at first but if you truly look around, those who are truly stressed out beyond belief are because they are not studying enough, in fact I was one of them. Now when I take a test I expect to get an A, why because with time in comes quality along with quantity. You have to break it down, it can't be done in 4 hours. If you are studying less than your school is using mainly Test Bank questions than you will get an easy A or B. I laugh when I hear someone say they got all A's in nursing school, I say crap - most likely the school used all test banks for questions. If they are not using test bank questions you better put in 6-12 hours or you will most likely fail! Nursing school is a beast! You gotta study like your life depends on it period. The stress level will decrease substantially!! No other way around it nursing school takes no prisoners you conquer it by studying period!

Perhaps this works for you, but it may not work for everyone. I probably studied 6 hours per semester and did fine. A study program needs to be tailored to the individual.

Fish 1 · Mar 14, 2016

Sounds Fishy! Think about it, most nursing schools have 9 - 15 chapters on each exam every 2 weeks, plus you have class and labs, and you are able to study for 2 - 4 hours and bust all A's. one chapter can take 8 hours to comprehend, memorize all of the rationales. Sorry like I say to all who read this thread 6 -12 hours minimum. If you study for less you will barely pass or fail like many do. All your professors will tell you the same. The only way to bust out all A's is if they are pulling from all bank questions or you have the exam, or the professor tells you the questions. You can have 7 choose all that apply options on exam, the chances of getting all of these right are nearly impossible.

Now as I move on Study, study, study, no other way around it.

pixierose, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2016

Sounds Fishy! Think about it, most nursing schools have 9 - 15 chapters on each exam every 2 weeks, plus you have class and labs, and you are able to study for 2 - 4 hours and bust all A's. one chapter can take 8 hours to comprehend, memorize all of the rationales. Sorry like I say to all who read this thread 6 -12 hours minimum. If you study for less you will barely pass or fail like many do. All your professors will tell you the same. The only way to bust out all A's is if they are pulling from all bank questions or you have the exam, or the professor tells you the questions. You can have 7 choose all that apply options on exam, the chances of getting all of these right are nearly impossible.
Now as I move on Study, study, study, no other way around it.

Denouncing other people's study habits and/or schools on a thread addressing *debilitating anxiety?* Clearly you missed a few readings in your lengthy study sessions.

Edited to add: here's your clap on the back, a high five and some standing applause from my class at my state school (we are on lunch break and were so very impressed by your amazing study schedule). There. Feel better, Fish 1? Now can you make some time out of your intense study schedule to provide some empathy for the OP?

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Mar 14, 2016

2nd semester was hard, so I've been told because you move away from basic fundamentals to more "nursey" stuff.

I'm doing a bridge to RN and term 3 was super hard because I wasn't aware of the schools and teachers typical ways of doing things.

Term 4 has been better..... There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I think you should do some self care and seek medical care for your anxiety issues. It's not uncommon for students to have to get some therapy or meds from a Dr when school causes anxiety.

Self care also includes, as the PP mentioned, commiserating with friends. That way you can get some feedback from peers. It helped me to know I'm not the only one who has to study hard and who feels overwhelmed.

Many of the students in my class also exercise regularly. I do it sometimes. But it's a great stress reliever- running especially.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2016

Prayer got me through.

ponymom · Mar 14, 2016

Op I read your other posts and you are a wreck! Sounds like you may have even had other things going on before all this. I wish you well, but at this point, you probably aren't really ready for this aspect of life. School is truly the easiest part of this whole nursing thing. Just wait till you get out from under the protection of school and are responsible as a licensed medical professional.

To be so stressed that you're pulling out your hair and not eating, not to mention the crying, good lord, you need some help. Not everyone is cut out for nursing school and even if you're not ready now, after addressing your issues, in time, you may very well be able to go back again and experience a more positive outcome.

I wish you well.

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Mar 14, 2016

By studying a lot and taking lots of notes.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Mar 14, 2016

I'm just wrapping up my second semester of nursing school, and I am a mess . I still have another year to go and I don't see how I am going to do it . I'm living in a state of constant stress to the point where I started pulling my hair out and not eating for hours. In clinical I am made to feel stupid and lazy and unwanted every time I go there so I started having anxiety attacks before clinical too. I just feel completely overwhelmed . I've **** out all my friends because I can't do anything ever because I'm always studying and I snap on my loved ones all the time or just break down crying once a week. How did anyone make it through this ? I need help

You have stated that you are now suffering from symptoms that indicate an impulse control disorder resembling trichotillomania, as well as a stated restricted eating pattern. Additionally, you report emotional lability.

It does not matter in the LEAST how OTHERS got through their nursing program. You are in serious jeopardy of your psychological/physiological health if you continue in this manner. Your behavior does not constitute a healthy coping mechanism to deal with your current issues.

Please go, at once, to your advisor and tell them that you are beginning to suffer under your current course load. You need to know whether or not you can suspend the program and re-enter at a later date without penalty.

Do it today.

My heart goes out to you, because I understand that you likely have a lot riding on the outcome of getting through school. However, you are not doing yourself, or anyone involved in your life any favors to continue with things as you have described.

There is hope. - Call your advisor, today.

pixierose, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2016

OP -- check in when you get the chance, ok? We are a board full of strangers, yes. But we do care about you.

Nurse's advice is spot on -- *listen to it.*

Many hugs.

Nurse Leigh · Mar 14, 2016

Nursing school is difficult and stress inducing, but it sounds as though your reactions to the stressors are not typical or healthy. Like PP said, please take the focus off of your studies and get help for yourself.

This is the time to take care of yourself. Seek mental health treatment - no shame whatsoever in that. (((hugs)))

Please take care of yourself - you deserve it!

awsumsaus · Mar 14, 2016

As I near the end of my second semester as well I am seeing the school therapist weekly. I've always had a bit of a fight with depression/anxiety and this stress and the ever-present threat of failing out is bringing out the worst of it. Just having a sympathetic ear has been a huge relief, she can't tell me anything new that twenty other therapists already haven't and she can't prescribe meds but she sits and listens, and lets me cry on her couch. Sometimes it gets so bad that every once in a while if I'm headed to bed and realized I haven't eaten dinner, that negative self-talk will start and I'll be like "who says you deserve dinner anyway". If you have never suffered from anxiety or depression before know that THIS IS HARMFUL BEHAVIOR AND YOU NEED HELP. Even though I'm still occasionally experiencing those episodes they get so much worse if I've missed appointments. Please at least seek out your school therapist, you're probably paying for them with tuition anyway.

It sucks to hear that clinicals are going rough. I sure hope that isn't due to hospital staff/other students/your professors. I would try to take a good look at who is making you feel that way, and go from there. If it is only your own mind, then you have some cognitive retraining to do there (a therapist can help you out there, over the past few years it's helped me in a few areas and others I'm still working on). If it's an outside problem then I hope you have someone you can trust to report those *******s to.

If you feel like you just need to vent please feel free to PM me. I may not know how to help but I promise I will be here to listen. Who knows maybe I *can* even help you out with some study guides or different tricks I've learned. If you really truly want to be a nurse, please hold on, I have yet to meet one nurse who said they'd do school all over again but they say it is so worth it.