Nursing School: Did you turn into Jekyll & Hyde?

John20 · Sep 26, 2009

No, because I am in control of my emotions. Nursing school really isn't that bad. Compare it to landing on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day and it's a walk in the park.

Cassaundra · Sep 26, 2009

I can relate to what you're feeling. I started back to college at the age of 35. I can suggest that when you notice yourself acting like that, excuse yourself from the room for a few moments. Get it back in check, then go back. Make it a point to set school aside - out of your mind - while you are taking "me" and family time. What I had to convince myself of was the fact that I could do it and letting it stress me out was not going to do me or my future any good. Remind yourself that you will be where you need to be when you need to be there if you just do your best and learn from your mistakes. Also, get help if you need it before things hit the ditch.

ZoeZ · Sep 26, 2009

I agree with the above post. The more you stress yourself, the worse you'll do, the more mistakes you'll make - it's a vicious cycle It sounds like you're just putting too much pressure on yourself. Whenever I start feeling stressed and getting snippy, I just remind myself to "keep it simple". I know for myself, I usually start getting mean when I've been studying or working on something for too long. Just breathe and be good to yourself (and to your partner ) and do your best! I'm finding that you learn A LOT about yourself in Nursing school lol

Good luck!!

dannyc12 · Sep 27, 2009

I want to choke you just for the font in your OP.

Just kidding. A few of my fellow students are reporting similar phenomena and I've even noticed classmates having a go at each other when an exam or clinical checkoff is approaching.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Sep 27, 2009

Can't say that I have experienced this.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2009

Nope, no change for me. Pretty much just stayed the regular old Mr. Hyde I always was.

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2009

I psyched myself out of passing a skills test, simply because I was so stressed about doing it right that I flubbed the whole thing. I could kick myself. I screwed up the setup for taking a BP. I mean....seriously! I was near tears, and my instructor saw it. Before she could say anything, I turned away from her and did my yoga breathing for about 2 minutes. When I turned back around, I was completely calm and did the rest of the skill without a hitch. Luckily we get 2 tries to pass stuff, so it wasn't a complete catastrophe. But even with that, I was still fighting back tears as I left and thinking an illustrious career as a PCA woouldn't be *that* bad. A few of my classmates felt the same way, but...we had our first set of tests in every class, in the same week. Everyone's nerves were worn raw and it showed. I found myself snapping at people I'm pretty cool with, and they were just as snarky back. We love each other now

Sometimes we're our own worst enemies. You have to learn how to release all the destructive stuff and turn it into something positive. Otherwise all your friends and family will ditch you and all you'll have is your anger to keep you company lol

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2009

I psyched myself out of passing a skills test, simply because I was so stressed about doing it right that I flubbed the whole thing. I could kick myself. I screwed up the setup for taking a BP. I mean....seriously! I was near tears, and my instructor saw it. Before she could say anything, I turned away from her and did my yoga breathing for about 2 minutes. When I turned back around, I was completely calm and did the rest of the skill without a hitch. Luckily we get 2 tries to pass stuff, so it wasn't a complete catastrophe. But even with that, I was still fighting back tears as I left and thinking an illustrious career as a PCA woouldn't be *that* bad. A few of my classmates felt the same way, but...we had our first set of tests in every class, in the same week. Everyone's nerves were worn raw and it showed. I found myself snapping at people I'm pretty cool with, and they were just as snarky back. We love each other now
Sometimes we're our own worst enemies. You have to learn how to release all the destructive stuff and turn it into something positive. Otherwise all your friends and family will ditch you and all you'll have is your anger to keep you company lol

lmao. Want to hear how I got through skills tests? NO!!? I'm telling anyway:

I worked as a CNA walking distance from the college I went to. I purposefully got myself scheduled onto a night shift the night before a skills test. Why? Because our skills lab instructors were running the skills tests like a fast food restaurant line. They couldnt move people fast enough, and they all had to be done on the same day.......school policy.

So, I work my midnight shift, walk directly to school in my scrubs after work, maybe even leave 20min. early, and get to the nursing floor before anyone. And I mean, I was sitting there, outside the skills lab, all alone. Not even the secretary was in her office. Eventually the secretary would walk in. Then a few other instructor. Finally.......my skills lab instructor, early herself but already stressed about having to test so many students. She'd see me sitting there and invite me in to take my test.

I'd do my whole test, verbalizing what needed done, while her back was turned getting things ready. Once in a great while she'd glance at me to make sure what I was doing was correct. Most of the time, I didnt even have to do things right, just say it right. One time, I had to put on sterile gloves and totally F'd it up, but her back was turned, so I just put them on like normal gloves..........no notice of that folly. When I was done, she'd instruct me to move this box here, that table there and then sign me off.

About 45 min. later, my classmates would all filter in, stressed about the day's skills test. When the time came to test, I'd go to the cafeteria. They'd ask me......"Where you going, you have to take the skills test?" and I'd show them my form all signed as "passed". No one ever figured me out.

See, just think outside the box is all.

caffeineRx · Sep 27, 2009

*sigh* I just don't know how you relax. I mean..I am trying deep breathing.

I have always been a pretty intense person, but how does one control their natural reactions? I know it takes practice..I am trying...but I wasn't born like some of you "calm" people. I would give ANYTHING to have the "calm/relaxed" gene. I make myself sick over being stressed and nervous--and I am not even as bad as some people.

I envy those really laid-back people who do not worry. How can anyone live their life that way? I feel like I wouldn't get anything done. lol

caffeineRx · Sep 28, 2009

I want to choke you just for the font in your OP.
Just kidding. A few of my fellow students are reporting similar phenomena and I've even noticed classmates having a go at each other when an exam or clinical checkoff is approaching.

LOL this made me laugh out loud!

chicookie, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2009

Ok when I went to NS I went seriously bipolar. I was happy one day and mad the next. Mad as in I am going to seriously kill someone mad. I spent a whole week crying over anything and everything.

What I did..........nothing.

NS made me physically sick. Or rather I was always sick and it didn't really manifest itself till I was in NS(that is what the doc says, I disagree but W/E), so because of that I had to change my diet and do the dreaded exercise, and I had to find a relaxing hobby. After I did that my mood swings were curved and are not as bad but they can get pretty nasty. My suggestion is throw that negative energy into something creative! It helped me some.

Oh and quiet time. Seriously I had an hour were I did not speak to anyone, or do anything. I went to the library and shut myself off from the world. I did no nursing stuff, no job related stuff. Nothing! Just me and books. Sometimes you just need a break.