Losing my mind!

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I guess the main reason for my following rant is to see if anyone in my situation actually made it through nursing school!! When I started school a year ago I was a married stay at home mom. NOW I'm going through a divorce, dealing with finding a decent place for me and my 3 kids to live, and of course dealing with a very large school work load. I don't have the time I wish I had for studying. I had to retake one class already when my divorce hit so I have one class retake left. I have mentally pulled myself together and I'm determined to do this but I'm scared to death that I'm going to fail and not be able to support myself and my kids!!! I'm a smart person but my stress level is seriously intense. Can anyone relate and give me a success story?? I would LOVE to hear that it can be done!

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Specializes in Hospice.

I think everyone has a difficult time with something while in nursing school. Loss of pets (in my case, two dogs I love very much during my first year), divorce, new baby, death of family members, moving, selling a house, losing a house, buying a house...... I wish the world would stop turning while I am finishing my second year just so things can remain do-able, but life doesn't work that way. I have two elderly parents, two grown kids going through their own things, and I am just keeping my fingers crossed that I can stay focused. You can do it, but you need to rely on your support network.... childcare help, moving help, anything you can get. Wishing you the best.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

You can do it! My marriage almost crumbled back in September. We've had A LOT of stuff hit while I was in the program (family in the ICU, family moving in on the property, etc). I know one of my group mates had a ton hit, too (his wife has a bunch of autoimmune stuff, so she's in and out of the hospital a lot). I found out yesterday another friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer during her program, and she still graduated last year (with her class!). Nursing school is... a trying time, and it seems like everything else hits when we're already stressed to the max. You will KNOW your strength when you come out of this. It's there, and boy, is it hard to find sometimes.

STICK WITH IT. You can do this!!!! I just graduated yesterday (still hasn't sunken in), AND I have a job offer, and another interview this week in one of the toughest markets in the US!!!! The strength you're building right now will carry you through other hard times (ever look back on truly trying times when you're going through these times? It can help!).

Big hugs to you!!!

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Specializes in Critical care.

I'm not in that situation but I'm sure other things will come up. As other posters have said, life happens and the world does not stop turning unfortunately. I am not saying this be tough on you at all, I am saying it so you don't feel alone... even if no one has your exact unique situation, we ALL have stuff to deal with outside of nursing school... so I feel you!

Maybe there are other single parents in your cohort who you could study with? Do playdates at the park? Get creative with studying? I am married but my wife works 16 hours a day sometimes, so with a one year old and an 8 year old I know I'm going to have to find creative studying ideas as well, because I won't be able to just shut myself in a quiet room somewhere!

I'm sorry for all you are going through but hang in there, you can do it. Now more than ever, you HAVE to do it, because your little ones need mommy to have a stable career and money to take care of them. you can do this!

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Thank you so much for your replies! It's such a small thing to hear your stories but it brings tears to my eyes and a certain amount of relief to know that it can be done. Good luck to all of you and thank you again for the encouragement!!

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Specializes in Education, research, neuro.

I have a success story. Husband was abusive, she divorced him got custody of the 7 year old. Then he starts court proceedings to get custody. She had court dates that interfered with classes and clinicals, and she was afraid for the very life of her son. And she made it through (and secured custody.)

Stay strong.

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This semester I was finishing my pre-req's, starting nursing core in Sept. I got very sick. Had pneumonia and pleurisy, almost wound up in the hospital. I have two kids at home, both have behavioral stuff. One ended up involuntarily hospitalized for 3 weeks which caused me to miss 3 weeks of classes. My family fell apart. He came home too soon and I ended up making the decision to let him move to his fathers house (hardest decision I've made yet) since then he has been diagnosed with bi-polar on top of the other stuff.

Through all of that I somehow managed to make up all missed work and finish out with straight A's.

Even though I wasn't in my nursing classes yet I just wanted you to know that if you have the will, you will find a way! Talk to your adviser and find classmates that have kids as well. I have a classmate in each class that shared lecture notes with me during my absences. And I stayed in contact with my professors.

It's not easy but you can get through this. And in the process you will teach your children what a strong work ethic and perseverance can do for you. Hang in there!

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