I got in to nursing school! Now overwhelmed with stress

mrmedical, ASN, BSN · Oct 4, 2011

Some food for though, and not trying to frighten you, but; sort out your stress while you can now before you start the program because chances are it will be even more stressful once you're in it.

Find some way to take a mental break, you will need it: going out to a bar, working out, reading something you enjoy.

thisrnlovesbugs · Oct 4, 2011

Definately try to spend quality time with loved ones. Pick a day, and keep that day for family or self time. Thats what helped me through nursing school. You will be ok, have fun with it :)

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2011

You are way over reacting. You need to get calm and deal with your stress as poster 1 said, otherwise it will affect ur grades.

Didn't u think about this before u went to school? Sorry but it was THE first thing I thought about when contemplating university.

Can u go live at home 4 a while? Otherise do what I did; I went external the last 2 years, lived in a cheap unit and worked everyday. I also worked on weekends doing my clinicals.

Or do what millions of other students do: get loans or work after school and on weekends. You are not the first person who has had to do this. It nearly killed me doing shiftwork & working w/ends - but I did it and survived.

You need to start planning for ur future now, otherwise if u really can't afford school, or don't want to work after hours/weekends, give it up till u can afford it.

Welcolme to the real world.

boushie87 · Oct 4, 2011

It's doable. I am in the exact same position. When I am in school (my 2nd degree.. and I went to grad school for a yr too) I work PT (like 15 or less hrs) and when I'm on break like the summer I work FT. My s tudent loans are currently in deferrment (as will yours) so they aren't really an issue at the moment. Can't stress about everything right now or like someone said it will affect your grades and your ability to learn. Right now be excited to start school and concentrate on working as much as you can until you start. GL!

TheDreamJourney · Oct 4, 2011

I feel the same way as you. I got into an Accelerated BSN program and will be starting in January. I am really excited to start but I am also worried about how I will be paying for school. So far I'm taking each day as it comes...taking things slow because I know I will have to take out a lot of loans and work part time. Currently, I am living with my mother and sisters. My advise to you is to plan ahead of time. Make sure you get approved by loans and put your current loans on hold by contacting the financial aid office at your school. Your loans must be put on deferrment until you are officially finished with school. Hope everything works out for the best!

CFitzRN, ADN · Oct 4, 2011

Don't worry. If the knuckleheads camping out on Wall Street get their way, you may not have to pay off your student loans. :::eye roll:::

ammonthenephite · Oct 4, 2011

Though I'm not yet in the nursing program, I too have had money issues. However, it was a great opportunity to pear down all the unecessary from my life and keep only the essential things I needed. At 32 I swallowed my pride and now "rent" for 200 bucks a month my old bedroom back home. Even if family is not near, when living in Utah I found a few places that had rent at 175 to 275 a month. They were dives and had roomates, but it worked! Consolidated cellphone plan, downgraded my car to something that works and is paid off that requires only the minimum of payments for insurance. My monthly needs dollarwise are now down to about 550 bucks a month. So at 10 bucks an hour I only have to work 55 hours a month, or about 12 or 13 hours a week to break even. I say no when my friends want to hit the movies or go out to eat, but in 2.5 years (one quarter of pre-reqs and the nursing program) it will have all been worth it!

deathisastar13 · Oct 4, 2011

Number one is self-care! It helps with stress. Take a day to take care of yourself and do things you love that have NOTHING to do with nursing school.

In my program (which was accelerated 2 years for RN and Masters degree) some people were able to work and others couldn't balance it. Organization is key. If you do plan on working, schedule in your studying, class, work, sleep, etc.

nola1202 · Oct 4, 2011

1. you are totally normal.

2. you are so not alone.

3. Repeat to yourself when obsessing. "I can do this." "I choose to do this."

take 3 deep slow breaths and get busy.

4. Follow the suggestions of other posters.

5. Ask yourself before spending any money. "Is this something I really need, or is this something I want. Can I find it at a thrift store, on E-bay, or a garage sale. Avoid coffee shops or buy nothing if with a study group

6. Learn to study anywhere and anytime you have a minute. Make note

cards of bullet points and keep them in your pocket. Form or join a study group and attend pre-test class review sessions.

7. swallow your pride and live at home if possible, then work less hours.

8. Never turn down a free meal! :)

Eagle2110, ASN, BSN, APRN · Oct 4, 2011

Like someone said, "you are so not alone". I'm in the same boat; except I have a child so that tackles on more expense because she'll have to be in daycare. But it's ok, if this is what God wants for you then pray about it. Some people work and some people dont, it all depends on what you can handle and no one knows that better than you. I haven't received my letters yet but my plan is to work as much as I can now, I'm even trying to get a second job. Maybe you can do that for now. Try creating a detailed list of all your expenses that won't be covered by your student loans, such as gas, food, rent, etc...And if you get a refund that'll be better. I know plenty of people who just lived off the refund check. Also, do you have a job center where you're from? It's called WIN Job Center here and they have a program that pays tuition, fees, uniforms, and things like that for accredited programs. God Bless your journey and congratulations:yeah:, I'm more worried about getting it than paying for it, lol

such_sweet_sorrow · Oct 4, 2011

Thanks for the encouraging words, everyone! I have a feeling I will be turning to allnurses for a very, very long time. :)

I haven't talked to my live-in boyfriend yet about the stress I'm feeling over money, but he'll say I'm silly (he's in law school so loans... pssshhh he knows what I'm talking about).

I wish I could live at home with my momma but there are no colleges really close to where she lives. I do want to achieve this, because I have big dreams regarding my career... so I guess I'll just suck it up and do it. Or at least try to do it.

Thanks for the self-care suggestions. That's, unfortunately, always the first thing I put on the back burner. But now I've planned to schedule Saturday evening as a stress-free night out with friends (on the cheap though!) and go see the Razorbacks beat Auburn. :)