How do you keep yourself from quitting?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2013

I didn't quit during nursing school because, if I had dropped out, I would have owed tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt without anything to show for it. Money talks and bullcrap walks.

donk · Feb 27, 2013

I remember how many people have sacrificed things for me to be here and how much I want this, for myself and my family. 4 years from now I can either be a nurse or still be paying student loans with nothing to show for it. Every test and every assignment brings me one step closer!!

Bobmo88 · Feb 27, 2013

I think about how there is no doubt in my mind that this the career for me and that there are so many people that would want to be in my shoes right now. The application deadline is coming up for this Fall's incoming class and one of the student workers told me that they were expecting about 400 application for 44 spots (my incoming class had 44 spots but in previous years it was 33 so I'm unsure about exactly how many) I have never studied this much in my life but I have way too much invested in this career to give up.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2013

For me embarrassment was always a good motivator. When I quit smoking I told everybody from my colleagues at work to the mailman, and then I couldn't start up again. How embarrassed would I have been if I quit school? OMG.

rubato, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2013

For me embarrassment was always a good motivator. When I quit smoking I told everybody from my colleagues at work to the mailman, and then I couldn't start up again. How embarrassed would I have been if I quit school? OMG.

I like this and have to admit, I'm the same way. My pride is way more important than it should be, so to be seen as a quitter pushes me harder. I bombed a test Monday. Don't know the score yet, but am pretty sure I sucked. Had that moment for the first time in 2 semesters. The whole "What the he** am I doing?" thing. I'm already over it and trying to figure out how to fix it because a lot of people told me this was a stupid idea. "Nursing school, in your 40s?" Well, I must, and I mean, must prove them wrong!!!!

:)

PurplePRN · Feb 27, 2013

LOL! Okay, I have to admit embarrassment is my greatest motivator too. It makes me feel better to see that others have had to tap into creative ways to keep going as well. I can relate to and take away from everyone, money, time invested, etc. But man, I feel like I have to remind myself more than I should for something that I feel so driven to do. Thanks for the input. :)

WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2013

Going to work is how I keep myself from quitting. The thought of doing the back breaking labor of a CNA for the rest of my life is a pretty good motivator.

Stephalump · Feb 27, 2013

I like this and have to admit, I'm the same way. My pride is way more important than it should be, so to be seen as a quitter pushes me harder. I bombed a test Monday. Don't know the score yet, but am pretty sure I sucked. Had that moment for the first time in 2 semesters. The whole "What the he** am I doing?" thing. I'm already over it and trying to figure out how to fix it because a lot of people told me this was a stupid idea. "Nursing school, in your 40s?" Well, I must, and I mean, must prove them wrong!!!!
:)

Gotta third that. My pride is more than enough to keep me in the game. If I legitimately can't do something? Fine. If I without-a-doubt no longer want to do something. Fine.

But I won't quit because it's hard or I'm "weak." People would know, and that would be harder :)

Kimynurse · Feb 27, 2013

Not giving the doubter the benefit.

I was told I was stupid my while life, so I'm proving them wrong.

Wrench Party · Feb 28, 2013

Because I had family, friends and faculty that said 'h-ll no' when I stumbled and fell down, and picked me up and booted my butt back in the game. Failure wasn't an option.

Gomezsan · Feb 28, 2013

I'm on my second semester of nursing and I'm stressing. There isn't a day I don't wake up terrified. Lol I know this is bad but I'm afraid of failure I just don't know how ill cope. This is something I truly want yet the process is just so overwhelming. Any suggestions on how to get through med surg?