Only 2nd week into school and already stressed. Anyone else?

Moogie · Aug 27, 2010

It's really common to feel overwhelmed at the beginning of nursing school. I remember feeling exactly the same way you all did when I started my ADN program---and then my BSN program---and classes for my master's program just started on Monday and I already wonder if I can catch up. I have been a clinical instructor and, yep, you guessed it, I felt pretty overwhelmed, especially my first couple of weeks.

Please don't feel so alone---your classmates likely feel the same way that you do and your friends here on AN can commiserate, too.

But we all will get through our respective educational journeys. To answer Frazzled_One, yes, many programs have issues with organization. I've found that at every level of my education as well as in the school in which I taught. It is frustrating and might make you want to tear out your hair---but don't let it get you down. In time, you will be able to work the system and figure out the best ways to learn. The book How to Survive and Maybe Even Love Nursing School by Kelli Dunham is a great resource, especially for entry level students.

How to tell if your nursing school is poor? Make sure that it is accredited by either the National League for Nursing (NLN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). You might want to avoid a school that has lost its accreditation (or, if it's a new program, has not gone through the preliminary steps to gain accreditation.) Check out the NCLEX pass rate. A higher rate may mean that it's a more rigorous program; it may also mean that students who would likely not pass the NCLEX are dropped from or fail out of the program. What's the reputation of the program among the local health care settings? Do nurses at the hospital praise the graduates of the program or do they speak in hushed tones about how they perceive those graduates to be unprepared?

Finally, if you need extra help, ask for it. If you don't understand a concept, ask your instructor. From the instructor's perspective, I can tell you that a student who asks for help cares about learning. The student who doesn't care doesn't make an effort to understand the material. If you feel nervous, talk to your advisor or maybe speak to a counselor who can help you deal with the extra stress in your life. You won't be the first nursing student who needs help coping with stress.

Please don't let these first few weeks discourage you. What you're going through is pretty much universal. And remember---you have friends here. :hug:

peas&carrots · Aug 29, 2010

Thanks so much for the responses! It really does make me feel so much better to know that we all are in the same boat. I got through all my tests with good grades and now know how the tests are going to be. I think that was where most of my stress was coming from. All teachers focus on different things and word their tests in a specific way. Now it's time to study for next week's tests. At least it's only 2 this next week instead of 3. :nuke:

crazytonurse · Aug 29, 2010

I started classes last week and I am exhausted already. I am having a hard time juggling my schedule, studies, husband, home, and children. I am also fighting off some sort of bug so that definitely doesn't help the situation. In addition to starting my classes last week, I have had to jump through hoops to get my son and daughter in daycare and her in half day preschool. My husband is starting a new 3rd shift job this evening so we are all very stressed out. My husband and I actually got into a huge fight yesterday over the housework, study time etc etc... We never fight and especially not over my classes and studying so I can tell the stress is overwhelming all of us already. I also have a few classmates that annoy me already... YIKES I try to avoid them but its nearly impossible. The one girl is a know it all and talks how she is a cna and knows how to do this and that already and another girl complains that the school is unorganized and yada yada. I just need to breathe and relax. I am positive once the newness wears off I will either have gotten used to the stress or that the stress will not exist anymore. If you can't tell already I am hoping the latter of the two is the one that happens. Sorry for venting, but I needed to and I am sure you all understand.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Aug 29, 2010

The first semester of nursing school is absolute HELL! It does get easier...not necessarily the content, but you get more comfortable with the types of test questions asked, less nervous (but not anxiety-free) in clinicals, and you hit your "groove" with regard to a study schedule/method that works for you.

It does get BETTER! Hang in there.

gumby1411 · Aug 29, 2010

Haha, you are not alone, sister! I started last week and feel like I'm up to my eyeballs. I feel like I don't remember squat from A&P or Pharmacology. Did I even take those classes?! :eek: Ugh. We just have to bury our noses in the books and keep plugging ahead. It's gotta get better at some point, right? Granted, probably not until graduation, but it WILL get better!! And remember, anytime you need to vent, we're here to listen..er, read.

BellsRNBSN · Aug 30, 2010

OP, I feel ya. I'm only about to start my second week and I'm already exhausted. Even if I get 7-8 hours of sleep, I still feel a bit foggy-minded and it never seems to completely go away! Oh well, I'm just ecstatic to finally be in nursing school and about to do what I love. The excitement still hasn't worn off

GUMBY - I wanted to ask you how your first day of class/first clinical went. I remember you saying they were throwing you guys in there right away. Hope all went well? :up:

HCollier · Aug 30, 2010

I put a massive amount of stress on myself to do well.

I think us nursing students got an extra gene for that or something.

good luck!

gumby1411 · Aug 30, 2010

GUMBY - I wanted to ask you how your first day of class/first clinical went. I remember you saying they were throwing you guys in there right away. Hope all went well?

Well, we actually have 2 weeks of skills practice in the lab first. We have our first clinical on Tuesday, the day after Labor day. We have clinicals before we have any lecture and before classes "officially" begin. The university is technically closed these two weeks that we're doing skills, but you wouldn't know it!! I'll let you know after i have my clinical next week - I'm starting to panic! :eek: