How do I not go insane during Nursing School??

Jules A, MSN · Mar 14, 2008

My very simple strategy is to cross each day off on the calendar. With every X I mark I am more determined to not let the past Xs be for nothing.

I can't pay much attention to the failure rate. It is unfortunate but I have a big enough job worrying about Jules and I don't need the negative vibes and can't afford to waste precious time. I didn't give up my job for school so I'm not feeling that loss and frankly I'm so tired I could care less if my family is missing me...its only a few more months.

Just keep keeping on. How far along are you?

goodstudentnowRN · Mar 15, 2008

Jules,

You are so right. I just take one day at a time. I try to complete my assignments on time and do everything my instructor tells me to do. I feel very tired sometimes but the school work has to be done and this is what I always tell myself. When I am overwhelmed I just have to kneel down and pray.

Kunda · Mar 15, 2008

lizzy - it was weird reading your posting since you described exactly how I've been feeling. Thank goodness I'm starting spring break now. Much needed but I'll spend the entire time getting caught up and prepping for finals.

I seriously wonder if these tests are designed to test our comprehension or whittle away at any spare confidence we still may have.

I just put a calendar on my desktop that counts down the days. Maybe that will help.

I've lost a lot of friends and some more are in danger now. I've been really pushing hard and am still safe but ya never know. . . :eek:

eccentricRN · Mar 15, 2008

As someone who has been there & done that... graduated & passed NCLEX & finally working...a previous poster is right, don't worry about those who don't make it, you can't... you don't have time or the energy to add it to your worry roster... I did as another poster stated I marked off each day as I completed it knowing that I passed another day closer to my goal. Do the best you possibly can, but if you're passing, thank the lucky stars & move on. You may not get an A or a B but if you're giving it your all that's that.

NS is stressful & tiring & a whole lot of other adjectives that thankfully I don't quite fully remember... it's fading now...

Do the best you can... give it your all... and just take one day at a time... & before you know it you'll be walking down the tunnel to the light... GOOD LUCK!!

KrysyRN, BSN · Mar 15, 2008

My very simple strategy is to cross each day off on the calendar. With every X I mark I am more determined to not let the past Xs be for nothing.
I can't pay much attention to the failure rate. It is unfortunate but I have a big enough job worrying about Jules and I don't need the negative vibes and can't afford to waste precious time. I didn't give up my job for school so I'm not feeling that loss and frankly I'm so tired I could care less if my family is missing me...its only a few more months.
Just keep keeping on. How far along are you?

I agree with Jules advice. While going thru school, I taped a calender to the front of my refrigerator and crossed off each day with a big black X. When it got hard to put one foot in front of the other, or study one more second, I would look at the calendar and be reminded of how far I had come and to keep looking forward. Concentrate on one day at a time. If that's too much, one hour at a time. Hang in there :)

obgoddess · Mar 15, 2008

I think most people hate nursing school. It was the most stressful enviornment i have ever been in. I was really lucky that I had a great group of girls at school and that we all suffered together. After every test we woudl get together for about an hour and vent and then we were able to study for our next test!

lizzyberry · Mar 15, 2008

Im in my second semester. Have a whole year left next year. I just keep thinking another year of this stress, fear of failing, no life etc... I just have to keep telling myself "I can do this."

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 15, 2008

I want to point out that you have no idea what is going on with he so-called bright students whom are failing. They are probably telling you what they want you to hear.

Do you know if they have problems at home? Do you know if they work too many hours so they have no time to study? Will they even admit that they are the problem and not the nursing school? Be honest with yourself, were they really studying as they should have or were they faking their way and BSing you and everyone else (including themselves) that they were doing everything necessary to pass? More importantly, do you have enough information to answer these questions??? Probably not.

I have learned that people who fail don't ever tell anyone their entire story and rightly so. It is none of our business and should be none of our concern. However, I understand your thoughts and feelings in this matter.

What I have done to resolve these same emotions is to put the blame back on the failing student (not openly, of course) rather then the school. I have kept in mind that they did not meet the standards. You may need to do the same. It is sad, but not frustrating.

Specifically, though you are upset to lose fellow classmates, your hard efforts will not be a waste. Continue to meet or exceed the standards for your semester and you will not fail. GL! :nurse:

Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 15, 2008

I don't know how to keep from going insane. I relaxed into the insanity and didn't try fighting it.

Seriously though, I know how you feel. I have to stay focused on doing what's in front of me. If I think too much about anything else I'd scream.

Hang in there.

mrs.captain.kangaroo · Mar 15, 2008

I can definitely relate. One day at a time....I also feel very stressed and most of my classmates do also.

My grade philosophy: do the best you can, figure out why you didn't get the trade you wanted (if you can, sometimes our tests are so different from one teacher to another it is very hard to figure out), then move on to the next test. You can overstudy too so stop when you've been reading the same page several times and don't even realize it - I've done that!

I feel bad when I see people who I consider would make better nurses than myself fail, but you can't do it for them. You can only control your own life and they are responsible for their own. Most of the folks who failed our program have already applied to other schools and will try again somewhere else.

I know it is hard and sometimes I fail at being upbeat, but take time out even for even a short time to do something fun - play with the dog, spend a little time reading something other than nursing, get outside now that the weather is getting more spring like, take a walk, talk with friends, etc.

LickleMiss_Sunshine · Mar 15, 2008

u know what, i took time out for a reason. suffering from longterm stress is no way beneficial for anyone it wont get u anywhere, so best thing u can do is to act upon it.

within that time frame it was hard for me i had to get another job etc but it gave me slightly more time to myself... i realised the simplest of things make me happy. like members have sed, going out for a walk, or talking to someone, or getting into a small hobby could help.

if ur studying, make sure u give urslef a breather for a least 10 mins- u need to if ya keep getting headaches. tip: something as simple as breathing from the abdomen helps and also things like meditation.

dont force urself so much, if u cant do it... u cant do it.

the course will still be there for u whether or not u fail. ur physical and mental health needs to stay in shape though, for ur own sake.

one thing iv learnt from all of this is to stop physically and emotionally punishing myself. i can only do what i can thats that! sometimes i think im crazy myself to be going back to it all!

"if the sky falls, let it, u cant do anything to hold it back up.... although u can prevent it from happening in the first place"

keep going xx