I was doing well!

[Piratekitty]

A bit about me: 32 years old, accepted into the BSN program in my town in British Columbia, Canada, and started first semester on Sept 4th. I have anxiety/panic disorder that I had under pretty good control and was able to work full time over the last two years while upgrading all my courses for entering the BSN program. Managed to pull As and A+s for my application to school.

I'm now in the last push before final exams starting in December. I've done well up to this point, a solid B student which I feel is pretty good given the intensity of the program and the fact I still need to work a few hours a week while balancing 6 classes. I had a bit of a slip in my anxiety issues and the doc increased my meds two weeks ago and I was feeling pretty good as a result of that.

The wheels feel a bit like they are falling off this week though. I've been feeling nauseous and headachy all week with some GI upset. It could all be related to stress and feeling like I'm completely overwhelmed and unprepared for the final exams in two weeks. I've taken on a bit of extra work starting last week and this week to get some more money in the bank and although I enjoy it, I'm starting to feel really run down. I have been forgetting things constantly (ie: misplacing water bottles, forgetting books at home, forgetting to book the study room like I usually do etc) and ended up forgetting to take my SNRI yesterday (effexor) and woke up in withdrawal this morning. I know it sounds impossible but missing one dose of effexor really affects me (vertigo, sweating, nausea etc). I skipped my first class this morning but we had a quiz in anatomy/physiology this afternoon and a lab. I dragged myself into class and ended up having a panic attack and having leaving before class even started. My teacher met me out in the hall and I tried to explain what was happening with me today and burst into embarrassing tears. She is an absolute sweetheart and told me to go home, not to worry, to rest and that she and I would go over the models etc in her office next week. My friends I've made in class were supportive and wanted me to take a day off this weekend to rest.

My drama/question is this: can a nursing student actually take an entire weekend day off without guilt? I feel like I do need a bit of a break but I don't know if that will impact me negatively towards the finals. I really hope I can get through this program as I've worked so hard to get here, but today is a tough day.

I would love to hear from anyone who may have gone through some similar challenges or those who have been able to take a day off without guilt. I don't think I've stopped studying since day 1 which I fully expected and generally spent 6 hours each Saturday and Sunday studying.

Thanks so much!

[Castiela]

I personally always felt guilty about not doing homework, but If you can take a weekend off to relax, and should if it will help with your mental health. If you have a lot of exams/ papers, you can take schedule a massage or a yoga class to help relax and then continue studying. Part of The crnbcs licensing is maintaining your fitness to practice. Sometimes that involves calling in sick if you haven't slept or are overwhelmed with life in order to protect your patients.

[neogirl]

I'm going to be honest with you, I didn't really study that much in nursing school. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BSN from a very intense accelerated program. Don't let other people make you think that you have to study 24/7. In fact it might be better if you don't study 24/7. Relax, calm down, take some time for yourself. No matter how well you know the material you won't do as well on NCLEX style questions if you didn't sleep or are freaking out.