Nursing School Blues??

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You know how there is post pardum depression and pre mestrual mood swings.... can there be such a thing as Nursing School Depression??

Well if there is such a thing, I must be going through it!

I'm on my second semester of the ASN program, I get high 80's and low 90's on my exams and I haven't had no problems in clinicals so far.... I know I'm a good student but lately I've been self doubting myself, wondering if I would ever be a good nurse. I've lost my motivation to study as much as I used to. I always have a headache and I'm soooo tired all the time. I know Nurising School is rough and I expected it to be hard work so why am I feeling so down and self doubting myself?

I just got a job as a nurse tech and my first day I messed up on all the blood pressures, the tech that was training me just gave me a wierd look. I don't know why I was off on the blood pressures, I know how to take BPs but I kept messing up.... I felt like an idiot because I should have been able to take all the vital's, that's was one of the first things we learned in school. That experience did not help my mood at all!

Has anyone ever gone through something like this??

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Me! I just flunked a test today...bleh...I had 1 A and the rest B's ...now looking at a C it seems. I think it's pretty common to feel clueless most of the time. I know I do! I also have a hard time doing the most basic skills (drawing up a shot :uhoh21: ).... we'll get it one day. Hang in there!! I've invested too much $$$ to back out now. I'm hoping that I'll find an area (Psych or Forensics maybe) that intrigues me. :nurse:

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Hi,

Last week was my time to feel this way. Several people at this site took the time to drop me a line & tell me to hang on, things will get better. So I am telling you, hang on, things will get better. I spend half of my time feeling as if I don't know anything. I am in an ADN program and I just haven't gotten to do that many procedures on "real,live people", but don't dispair, Keep plugging along, learn from your mistakes and you will get there. Best of luck.

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I think we all go through this at one time or another. I was crying the other night just thinking about next semester. (Clinicals start and I have to work) I'm not going to lie, I'm scared. I don't know how I'm going to be able to handle it all. This semester has been so time consuming and it's only been book work.

Hang in there!

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Add my name to the list!!! I am only a little over halfway through my first semester and feel so overwhelmed all the time it isnt funny! We had our second visit to the nursing home today (my first wasnt the best experience...) and today was a horrible day for me. I had a very compative patient (even though I was reassured by one of the instructors that she was mild compared to some that she has seen... still I think hitting, throwing stuff, and cussing me out was enough for me... esp since this was my first time doing direct patient care (the previous time it was communication and orientation to the nursing home)... after today and all the stress over the last couple of weeks I have really thought about calling it quits. I know that there has got to be a shiny rainbow... heck I would take a dull one even (!) that leads to an end somewhere... but it seems I am just stuck with this big black cloud over my head!!!!!

My instructors tried to cheer me up today and told me that I am doing wonderful and that everyone has hard times. It just seems like the last two weeks have been incredibly stressful and I am doubting next semester even! On top of that you add friends and family that do not understand the commitment nursing school requires... ugh... I dont have any great advice for you.. just wanted to let you know that you are not alone!

How long til May 2008?

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I know how you feel. I did have a B in math and fundamentals up until today. I studied alot yesterday for my math test, I know the formulas but the drug label they used was very confusing and I was not sure what numbers to use I did not even finish it.

Also, first semester I had a great clinical instructor and got good marks. This clinical instructor gave me a failed care plan. I am very sad and upset I am not used to bad grade especially when I do my best. I have a meeting with the clinical instructor to find out what she expects.

Hang in there

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

Add my name to the list....we have a test coming up this Friday and I am just not motivated to study....I feel like an idiot everytime we go to the hospital, and in looking ahead at the syllabus with IV, enteral feedings, etc., I just wonder if there's any way possible I can keep up.....I spend a lot of time doubting myself and this decision....

Yet, I know I'm a caring person and am wanting to have a career where I am making a difference...I love the flexibility that nursing will have to offer...and I've always been a pretty smart cookie...but with all the learning, new terminology, and skills that are coming in from all sides, all I feel like doing right now is DUCKING!! And wrapping myself up in my covers and never coming out!!

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Thanks everyone for reassuring me!:rolleyes: :flowersfo

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who feels like crying :crying2: through nursing school!

I have to go to work this Friday, my second day as a Nurse Tech and I'm nervous about taking Blood Pressure and being off on the numbers again:uhoh21:.

I'm definately looking forward to that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow when I graduate and become a :nurse: !

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry.

I'm sooo with you guys. I'm a senior in a BSN program and I've been going nuts! Not so much the content, but more with my hectic schedule than anything else. I'm a mom of 4 daughters and trying to balance their schedules with my school schedule and managing to study, do housework, etc has been such a drain on my energy. And it hasn't helped that we've had a lot of other issues come up at home like our septic failing and having to dig it up. Been working on that for nearly a month and finally got it finished! Oh, and can't forget vehicle troubles. It just seems that when it rains it pours. I was getting so stressed that I started having anxiety attacks. Ended up going to the doctors and getting placed on antianxiety meds for the time being. Trying to adjust to the meds hasn't been the greatest with my being able to concentrate for an exam that I am having tomorrow. Anyway, feel comfort in knowing that the stress levels you are feeling are quite normal. I know many of my classmates have been freaking out lately also. As for my doubting myself...I know how you feel. I KNOW I'm meant to be a nurse. I've waited many years for this (because I was waiting for my kids to all be in school before I started in school). I've got mixed emotions about graduating in the spring. I feel I'm soooo ready for college to be over with, yet I feel so ill-prepared to be able to be a competent nurse in such a short time away. I have always done great with the hands-on skills during clinical, but the exams are always what has a tendency to be poor (passing, but not to the standard I know I am at). I think it's part test anxiety that screws me up. Our instructors always tell us that we over-analyze the questions and read into them too much. Just read them for what they are. I guess I've rambled on enough. I hope that you don't feel alone in your stress and hang in there. I know I'm trying to as well!!! We'll make it!

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

Count me in as well. I'm graduating in two months and I still get the blues over nursing school. It's just so much work and it still seems like it's forever! I just want to be a nurse already!

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Specializes in L&D, PACU.
Count me in as well. I'm graduating in two months and I still get the blues over nursing school. It's just so much work and it still seems like it's forever! I just want to be a nurse already!

:yeahthat:

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

Hmmmmmmm....now I'm even more depressed thinking it looks like it doesn't get better for at least another 3 1/2 semesters!!

I'm wondering now if I should just cut bait and RUNNNNNN!!! :)

Hang in there everyone!!

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