Piratekitty

A bit about me: 32 years old, accepted into the BSN program in my town in British Columbia, Canada, and started first semester on Sept 4th. I have anxiety/panic disorder that I had under pretty good control and was able to work full time over the last two years while upgrading all my courses for entering the BSN program. Managed to pull As and A+s for my application to school. I'm now in the last push before final exams starting in December. I've done well up to this point, a solid B student which I feel is pretty good given the intensity of the program and the fact I still need to work a few hours a week while balancing 6 classes. I had a bit of a slip in my anxiety issues and the doc increased my meds two weeks ago and I was feeling pretty good as a result of that. The wheels feel a bit like they are falling off this week though. I've been feeling nauseous and headachy all week with some GI upset. It could all be related to stress and feeling like I'm completely overwhelmed and unprepared for the final exams in two weeks. I've taken on a bit of extra work starting last week and this week to get some more money in the bank and although I enjoy it, I'm starting to feel really run down. I have been forgetting things constantly (ie: misplacing water bottles, forgetting books at home, forgetting to book the study room like I usually do etc) and ended up forgetting to take my SNRI yesterday (effexor) and woke up in withdrawal this morning. I know it sounds impossible but missing one dose of effexor really affects me (vertigo, sweating, nausea etc). I skipped my first class this morning but we had a quiz in anatomy/physiology this afternoon and a lab. I dragged myself into class and ended up having a panic attack and having leaving before class even started. My teacher met me out in the hall and I tried to explain what was happening with me today and burst into embarrassing tears. She is an absolute sweetheart and told me to go home, not to worry, to rest and that she and I would go over the models etc in her office next week. My friends I've made in class were supportive and wanted me to take a day off this weekend to rest. My drama/question is this: can a nursing student actually take an entire weekend day off without guilt? I feel like I do need a bit of a break but I don't know if that will impact me negatively towards the finals. I really hope I can get through this program as I've worked so hard to get here, but today is a tough day. I would love to hear from anyone who may have gone through some similar challenges or those who have been able to take a day off without guilt. I don't think I've stopped studying since day 1 which I fully expected and generally spent 6 hours each Saturday and Sunday studying. Thanks so much!

Wow, I am so delighted to find this website and be able to gain so much insight from everyone's experiences and knowledge. I'm a 31 year old woman who has been thinking about being a nurse for over 10 years. I was actually accepted into a nursing program when I was 18 but decided it was not the right time. I have suffered from anxiety and panic since I was very young and I overthink *everything*. Currently, I am a practice manager in a medical clinic/family practice in British Columbia, Canada. I love my job but I have come as far as I will go in this line of work (medical office administration.) Nursing has always been on my mind and I finally got the courage a few years ago to pursue this dream again and not let my anxiety hold me back. I asked the question, "What would i do if my anxiety and fear were not a factor?" Ultimately, the answer lead me to here. I have spent the last two years upgrading my high school courses from a B-average to a transcript with 3 A+s and a B in chemistry. I've applied for nursing school for the last two years and yesterday, I received my invitation to the Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing program. Yikes! I paid my deposit and I'm officially registered for Sept 2017. I'm excited but so terrified. I've heard the horror stories of stress in nursing school and in the nursing profession. My mind is in complete overdrive about affording school, affording rent etc etc etc. I don't want to back out of the program because I'm sure there are nurses out there who have dealt with anxiety and let it make them a better nurse. I would so love to hear some of your stories about coping with stress in school, coping with anxiety when faced with unpleasant stimuli (ie; people in pain, smells, fearful patients etc). I'm sure i can do this but it would be such a privilege to hear from others who may have overcome these obstacles. Thank you so much!