Less support from friends

[Nkhalili]

Hello everyone, :)

I have about 11 months left in nursing school and am officially a senior. While this is super exciting and motivating, at times I feel that not one of my close friends from high school are supporting me. I have always supported their goals and aspirations but they haven't done the same for me. At first this didn't affect me but now it gradually is. They all have serious relationships, engaged, married, etc. and I have always been happy for them but I don't necessarily feel that is being reciprocated. I am getting more stressed and realizing I may be losing friends due to the challenge and pressures of nursing school. Has anyone felt this way and how did you not allow it to get the best of you? I appreciate it! :)

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

The only friend I talked to from high school I don't any more & for the same reason you stated. She wasn't supportive of my wanting to continue my nursing education to become an RN.

She is a brilliant woman. She graduated 1 university with a bachelor's degree but the couldn't find work with said degree. So she figured I was getting good jobs & making good money, she would become a nurse. So she aced the rest of the prerequisites she needed, the entrance exam & got in to the ABSN program on her first try. She *hated* nursing school & I knew she would. She hates interacting with people & cannot feign empathy to save her life. So after graduating at the top of her class & passing the NCLEX on her first try she put off looking for a job. When she eventually *did* get a job she only stayed there for 3 months then quit.

After that whole mess any time I talked to her about how I wanted to become an RN she would bash nursing like it was the worst job ever. Not only was I offended, I was irritated. I had been working as a nurse for at least 4 years before she became a nurse. I knew what I was dealing with. I eventually had enough & cut her out of my life. I'd rather have no friends than friends who bring me down. Life is too short for that bull.

[oceanblue52]

Nursing school is very challenging. You need to focus on being successful and feeling good about what you do, and not focus on a bunch of fickle people. You are at an age where you are especially susceptible to losing friends with you completing such a demanding degree, because people of this age group are generally still pretty self-oriented. You do the best you can with keeping in touch with people. Maybe arrange a phone call every week with those you are especially close with, and try to arrange a dinner or something to get everyone together. You are only one person though, and it is important to take care of yourself, even if it means forgoing outings in favor of a bubble bath, an extra nap, or even just staring a wall for a few hours. There is nothing wrong with putting yourself first. Explain the situation of needing to study, do careplans, go to clinical etc., but don't waste sleep on it. Your true friends will understand and will be there for you when you graduate.