Hello everyone! I'm roughly two months short of finishing my first semester of nursing school. I'm attending UTHealth in Houston, TX and am currently enrolled in Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Adult Care 1 (fundamentals and medsurg). I'm having a little bit of a conundrum here, and since everyone on AN is always so pleasantly helpful, I thought I'd bring my burden to all of you for analysis
My nrsg dx: ineffective coping r/t nursing school workload AEB pt states "nursing school is ruining my life!", insomnia, lack of sleep, change in appetite, and depressed mood
HAHA!
So, I turn 21 tomorrow, and you can imagine I am not in the least bit excited because I don't feel like I'm allowed to have fun. I jipped myself for my first two years and went to community college to save my parents (who are paying for my school, which I am so blessed and thankful to have them do) some money. I didn't get that "college experience". No, I don't mean spending nights hugging the toilet after some crazy parties and waking up hungover; I mean meeting new people, going new places, doing a medical internships in Europe like some of my classmates! I feel like I'm wasting the best years of my life! I really feel pretty alone in my school.
There aren't very many people my age, and most of the ones relatively close to it are married with children, or at least married. So many people are returning back to get second degrees or going back to get their first ones. They don't have any interest in making serious friendships. I'm single (well, engaged), and not really sure what to do. I thought nursing school would be an opportunity to meet people and open doors for me as well as, obviously, get my nursing degree. I'm thinking I made a mistake going to school in Houston (my hometown). I should've gone off somewhere, and perhaps the experience would've been better. Can't cry over spilled milk, though, right?
I chose nursing because I wanted a compassionate field where I could help people, especially in their worst of times. I know that I am in the right field because I absolutely LOVE clinicals. I'm doing them in oncology/orthopedics and they are everything I hoped they would be. Patients love me, and I feel so sad when the day is over and I have to say goodbye to them. My first patient ever gave me a hug when I left and made me promise I'd come visit her if she was still there the following week! :) Clinical is my favorite part of nursing so far, even though I witnessed a patient throw something at a nurse and curse at her at my last one! @_@
However, the school part is killing me. I know so many of you have been here before, and have felt exactly like I have... Some of my classmates feel like this, too, but for different reasons. I went from a 3.97 to looking at a 3.0 for the semester.. I honestly don't have the drive to even attempt As. I've become complacent and Bs are fine with me now. I'd rather come home and curl up with my puppy and eat dinner with my fiance than listen to endocrine drug lectures. I've found myself skipping class a lot. I'm passing everything with B's at this point, but I guess my whole reason for posting here is what should I do? Am I going to make it through the program feeling like this? Will it get harder for me? Should I drop out, even though I know nursing is right for me? What about changing to a different school in a different town or state? Is that even an option? So many questions... thanks in advance to whoever reads this! :)
