How do you manage the stress?

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I still remember the anxiousness I had that I may never get into nursing school like it was yesterday, and here I am almost halfway through. This is definitely one of the hardest things I have done, but not the hardest. I'm just trying to figure out how others manage it all, and venting to some degree.

We're in our final weeks now, and it's like someone has stepped on the gas pedal and I just want to get off! I have a 20 page narrative to write this weekend, a pharm quiz on the 27th, a pharm exam on the 28th, 2 nursing exams on the 2nd, 2 pharm quizzes on the 4th, a pharm exam on the 6th, nursing final on the 9th and pharm final on the 11th. The 13th is the pinning ceremony for those graduating this year, 14th is graduation for them, and then we start back on summer semester on the 16th where it's 8 hour days every Mon-Wed, and 12 hour clinicals every Thursday & Friday.

All I want to do is have a little bit of time to breathe. Between family and school, I have no time to myself, and even have to cut in on sleep time to fit in time for school and family. So how are you managing the chaos?

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Specializes in Mental Health.

This might sound a little crazy.

But sometimes when I am well over my head with nursing school, work, life, etc....I put my BOSE noise-canceling headphones on (gift- too poor to afford such extravagant headphones) and I crank up the music to MAX and dance away; whether its at 2pm or 2am. Always seems to do the trick for me ;)

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

We drive to my friends farm and go shooting. Then we do some 4 wheeling. Then we do some pasture sledding. Anything and everything we can do to keep our minds off whatever is bringing us down.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

In between all the chaos, I make sure that I am eating well. This keeps my energy up and that I am maintaining my weight. It is really easy to fall into bad habits when you are so busy, but it is very important to eat a well-balanced diet. Around Spring Break, I start to hit the gym. I also read magazines, play with my dog, see my boyfriend and friends, and do quick shopping trips at the drugstore. (I coupon, so I get everything for free. My wallet manages to stay full this way!)

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Thanks for the replies. It's nice to know that somehow amidst all this mess people still find some enjoyment.

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