Nursing school stress

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 14, 2009

In the words of the best animated movie ever: Just keep swimming, just keep swimming. It sucks, we are all there, trust me on that one. Just know there is an end to it all and try to have fun.

redalert7777 · Sep 15, 2009

I'm in my 3rd semester (the worst in this program!) of an ADN program. I didn't think things could get worse until I got to this semester, and everything that could happen, did happen in my life! I had bombed 2 tests, and didn't think I was going to make it, like I was failing in every aspect of my life. One of my classmates that I've been going to school with for years, called me and gave me invaluable advice that has really been the motivation for me to keep pushing through. She has been through more than probably any of us, and works to boot! She told me, you just have to take a step back, and take a deep breath. Study WHENEVER you can, waiting at the Drs. office, at dinner, wherever you have a moment. I know it is hard, trust me. I actually had to make a schedule of my days, and account for everything. I get up earlier, or stay up later to read. That's just a part of nursing school, always being tired, right?! When I can, I head to the library for hours, I find I am more productive with my time there where it is totally quiet. You just have to find what works best for you. Oh, and I read all the posts on allnurses about time management, studying, etc. just to give me motivation! This may not be the best advice, but it has definitely worked for me. I am almost going through a divorce right (we are RIGHT there, lol!), but I guess I had 2 options. I could let all this stuff pull me down, and distract me, ruin my grades, or I could fight harder than I've ever had to fight for anything. It's difficult, I've had to kind of, repress a lot of things, but I can deal with all that later. This is my goal, I've been working 6 years for it, and I think if I let life get me down and I drop out of school, I would feel more depressed. I know it sounds harsh, but I had to stop feeling sorry for myself, and just worry about business for now. That is the only way I've been making it through! I guess the point I am trying to make, is you can do it!! Just set your mind on it, and do whatever you have to do. Do you have to work? Or as many hours? I actually was at the point where I was going to be forced to get a job (thanks, economy!) but decided that I wouldn't be able to work, and finish school. Getting my degree would help us out more in the long term, rather than me getting a lower paying job now. So, I made the choice to get a student loan, best thing I ever did! Relieved a lot of financial stress, and gave me the time I needed to study. Point is, you just have to figure out what you want, and what you are going to do about it. Keep your chin up, this is only temporary!

b_howard · Sep 15, 2009

Thank you! That's really helpful and encouraging. I try to keep in my mind that it's only for a limited time, and not forever.

Rylee2008, ASN, RN · Sep 16, 2009

Hang in there. I'm in third semester and it doesn't get any better. Don't be too hard on yourself, you can do it. Schedule some time off, even if it's for a few hours. You can't absorb material if you totally exhausted.

LibraRNinNY · Sep 17, 2009

I had a great clinical instructor in my 3rd semester who always used to tell us "Picture the paycheck" when we started to feel overwhelmed... I found it to be very motivating! Yes, you're going through a horrifically stressful time right now, but you WILL BE REWARDED once you're finished!

Are you able to form a study group with any of your classmates, even for an hour or so a week? Bouncing ideas and concepts off one another can be an efficient way to study, and it always helps to talk to people who are going through the same thing you are.

gibson0726 · Sep 17, 2009

I think it does get slightly better. 2nd semester was definitely my hardest, with a ridiculous amount of clinical paperwork. I was also working ~20 hours per week. I definitely know where you are coming from! As time goes on, you really start "thinking like a nurse", and things will become easier. I'm in level 4 right now, and I feel so much more confident about concepts, critical thinking, and even nursing diagnosis jump to my mind when I first meet a patient.

Just take it one day at a time, one assignment at a time. Don't look at your calendar for the entire and see that you have X number of exams, X number of chapters to read. Sure you have to plan accordingly for projects, exams, and paperwork, but break it all up into smaller chunks. Have you ever heard they saying "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time". Weird, I know, but it has gotten me through times when I have been super stressed out and overwhelmed. (like this past weekend studying for my test!)

Schedule blocks of time to get your assignments done, don't procrastinate, and schedule an hour or so for yourself. You are also working a ton, and it makes a huge difference working 8 hours vs. 16. This is the first semester that I'm only working 1 day a week, and my stress level dropped significantly. I highly recommend it if you can drop down those hours.

Keep your chin up, and good luck this semester.

Silas · Sep 17, 2009

Those words "just keep swimming" got me through a whole lot of reading the other night. Thank you. I have to be sure to watch Nemo again this winter

It's hard but I always figure if someone else can do it, so can I

FLmomof5 · Sep 17, 2009

I am in my second semester of NS. In our school 1st semester is supposed to be the worst! I worked FT, OT and did FT NS! Rough! But, like the "keep on swimming" line, I kept telling myself to "keep your eye on the goal!" It worked.

We human beings can withstand anything for a short period of time. As a military vet, spouse of military, daughter of military and mother of military......I use John McCain for inspiration. If he can endure the torture he did, then NS is a cakewalk by comparision...., by God! I can do this!

LatinaRN978 · Sep 19, 2009

I too feel very very overwhelmed and I am just beginning! I am a first semester nursing student. I am so stressed about everything and the thing is I didnt start feeling like this until we started clinicals this week! My first day was not too bad, I had a great patient. But now ALL I am thinking about is next weeks clinical day!! I am so frusturated with myself because I feel like I am constatly stressing about everything that I do not ENJOY one bit of it! Please let me know how all of you got through all this! I am a mom of two boys 14 & 9, a wife, and work 20 hours a week. This was the worst week EVER! I just feel like I am drowing... And constantly stressing.

Any advice is much appreciated. :sniff:

TiffanyS23 · Sep 19, 2009

just keep on going!! it WILL be over one day...if you keep on going! and it will be soo worth it!!!

CardioNRS~DAWN · Sep 19, 2009

i think that everyone that attends ns has some level of stress throughout the whole process. there are times i wanted to literally :banghead: . i too am in the third semester and i got the best advice from one of my instructors. she pounded in our heads to hang in there no matter how hard it seems because "the best is yet to come."

during my day to day processes when i start feeling down i remember what she said and it keeps me motivated. so my advise to you is hang in there and keep on pushing, your almost at the end of this journey and another awaits...

~~"the best is yet to come"~~