Need inspiration...did you love your clinicals? Because I don't

[Worthy]

I have been slogging away through nursing school, part-time, while working, for over three years. I feel like I should have my PhD by now LOL. But alas, I have one more year to go.

I've been working as a PSW (CNA in US, I believe). I have two jobs, one which I like, and one...I don't like so much. The tension between myself and two co-workers has really come to a head the past week or so.

The 50 hour work weeks and stress of juggling two jobs and school finally pushed me to seek out a $10,000 student loan and complete school full-time this September, keeping the one job I like two nights a week. I just can't do it anymore - my nerves are shot, I am exhausted all the time, crying, my husband is scared for me.

In order to make this work financially, I have to finish working until the middle of August. I can't quit the job I hate any sooner - it would set me back approx. $1500 - and I can't afford to tack that onto my loan.

However - I have clinicals right now, and I feel I am exhausted for them. Today I called in sick. This is the second day of clinical I've missed. However, this is my first clinical rotation - we are basically doing care, transfers, etc. It is all things I am doing as a CNA. The only thing we got to do once was medications - which I really enjoyed. I love the mental challenge of that. But I HATE the basic slogging work - especially since I did it the night before from 3-11, and usually have to look forward to another 3-11 that afternoon. It is endless DIAPERS!!!!!!

I do well in school. My average is 92% in classes. I got a glowing review from my clinical teacher at midterm.

So why do I feel so crappy about this?

I realize all I have to do is get through til August....but my clinical only has three weeks left, and I can't blow it. I certainly can't miss any more days.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Hang tough and take a break when and where you can. I'm "just" a student myself right now but my last full-time day job, I was active duty in the Navy as an instructor at the Naval Special Warfare Center. When I went through as a student, at the end of the day I'd do the mark the day off the calender routine as mentioned above, but what really helped is that when I got up to start the day, I'd tell myself that all I had to get through was today. After today is over I'd re-negotiate. Then when it got even harder, I'd just go meal to meal, Just tell yourself "I only have to make it until lunch etc." You can do this. Remember that there really is no such thing as a "life sentance" it'll all be over sooner or later. Good luck

aloha

Jim

I like this advice. I hope I can remember this when I need it!

[dinkymouse]

Your grade point is unbelievable considering what you're doing. It is the one day at a time thing that works. I also had a picture of the kind of car I wanted to buy after I was a nurse. I worked full time as a cna then lpn through school. I went full time and was a single mother of a troubled 10 year old. There were days I really don't remember much, infact my entire chemistry class is a non memory. I would work 4-11 the night before, travel 2 hours to my clinicals, 8 hours there, 2 hours back and then a 4 hour chem class 1 night a week. I got a B but I have no idea how. The rotation I didn't like was psych-,too much like a family reunion, :rotfl: it showed when I got my 100 page clinical paper back. I got an A in course work but a B on the paper. I had never gotten less than 100% on a paper til then. The only person who did get an A though was someone who put each sheet in a paper protector. She flunked boards 3 times.