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While going through the different forums here, it seems like many of the nurses and student nurses are taking depression or anxiety meds. I realize this site serves as a place to vent so maybe that is why it seems to come up often. But I was wondering how common is it to hear of nurses on your floors having to take these meds? Do you think it is mostly for personal reasons or related to their job? Maybe its from a difficulty of transitioning from nursing school to working as a nurse? I'm sure theres plenty of reasons. Just curious what others may think. Thanks!

I've seen quite a few posters/ads for these med schools hanging up in college classrooms. The ads show students wearing scrubs playing volleyball on perfect beaches with tall palm trees. They say something about going to school in paradise. While I know that some of these schools probably deserve the respect and such these ads make me suspicious. If these schools are so perfect in paradise, why don't we see more people applying to them? Why do these schools have to advertise then?

Someone I used to work with went there. I lost touch with her so I don't know if she has graduated yet or not. She said most people's GPAs were around 3.5 and their majors were everything from business to biology. I was asking her why there were spaces open and she said that people didn't meet the prereqs, changed their mind, etc. What I remember her saying most was that they were super bad with organization in terms of paperwork. I don't now about CSU specifically, but nurses that I've talked to who went to accelerated programs said that they felt pretty much as prepared as nurses in regular programs. No matter what, the accelerated programs are extremely challenging and fast paced.

ha ha here I was thinking I was one of the few who goes through a process preparing for clinicals the night before. My classmates don't seem to care as much. I'm so tired when I wake up I have to have everything ready. So often I don't sleep well and wake up often with anxiety about the day's tasks. Sometimes I run through the different processes to make sure I know them well enough. Its good to know others are like this too! :)

When I started ns I sincerely believed that I could read each and every page that was assigned- found out that I would drive myself crazy and it is not possible time-wise. I study my professor's powerpoints and topics on there that are unclear, heavily emphasized by the prof, or a clearly going to be test questions I go to the book to read more thoroughly on. When I do have some time to read I ususally skim through the chapter, read the summary, and do some of the practice questions at the end of the chapter. I do know someone who is reading everything and has mounds of notes (most which aren't really necessary) who seems to be close to a nervous breakdown. In reality, it will take time and practice for you to develop a way that will fit your needs.

I totally understand how you're feeling right now since thats the way I feel often. Every once in a while I'll hit a time where I'm saying why do I want to be a nurse? Is this right for me? I think I question my career choice because ultimately I'm scared of all these new things and this is what everyone else is feeling too. For example, my confidence was really low because my clinical instructor wasn't the best while other clinical groups seemed to be so much more advanced than us. It turns out that my peers didn't feel confident in their skills either. Another thing to add is that although you learn all those new skills you won't necessarily use them right away and I was told some skills may not be used throughout nursing school clinicals at all. I learned about NG tubes & foley catheters but still haven't had the opportunity for insertion or discontinuation. The instructors know that we will be nervous and need support. You may want to talk to your instructor and let her know that you may need some extra support. Best wishes! I know you will succeed!

I keep with me in my pockets: a very small notepad, pen, penlight, bandage scissors (usually to cut the pt's name off the papers I have), stethoscope. My hospital ID is on me of course. I bring a small bag along just to keep any assignments that may be due at clinicals and I keep all my pocket stuff in that bag till I get to the floor. I usually keep a couple of dollars with me to buy a pop or something and the cell phone stays in my coat pocket. Everything of importance stays in the trunk of the car. I used to bring a drug book but the floors always seem to have at least one or two. Bring as little as possible since there is usually no room for students. You may be lucky and have a locker in the locker room but you may have to share it with all the others of your clinical.

I'm considering leaving my nursing program and going into a different career (business?). I discussed this with my instructor and her advice was "think about it." Not much help so I'll be talking to other instructors. I was hoping people on here could make some suggestions. I made a list of pros & cons to working as a nurse. I'm starting junior year and I know that nursing school is supposed to be totally different than working as a nurse. We are doing med/surg right now. I know that nursing school is difficult and challenging. I'm afraid if I quit I'll regret it. But, what if I continue and fall in love with peds for example? Or what if I continue and burn out? People talk about nursing being a calling but I don't really understand what that means. Pro: helping others and making a difference in their lives new challenges and opportunity to learn each day plenty of job openings with good pay requires critical thinking, compassion, respect meet all sorts of interesting people variety of options & directions to go in nursing can wear scrubs to work :) flexible work schedule Cons: long work hours need strong time management short staffing exposure to infectious diseases bad smells and nasty wounds cannot afford to make mistakes (person's life at stake) potential for dangers (exposure to radiation, needlesticks, etc) These are just some ideas. Any advice better than my instructors? :)

I was really amazed when I read your post because it sounds like something I would write. I was going to go into PT but... 3 years of expensive DPT school, a lot of PTs do administrative work while PTAs do the exercises with the patients, observing PTs do hours of assisted range of motion exercises isn't the most exciting or interesting, and the PT students are really sports minded while I know nothing about sports. You should really observe in a PT clinic if you are considering it. Anyway, I started NS and I'm not really sure if this is for me either. I am incredibly anxious because I'm worried about making any mistakes that could harm a patient and stressed about completing all the assignments. I'm in a med/surg clinical rotation and not crazy about it. I don't know if this is a phase or if I truly don't like nursing. A couple of people have commented that I've lost my enthusiasm and energy. I'm afraid if I quit NS I'll really regret it. If I don't quit I may be tied to a career that I don't care for. When I've talked to my peers they seem like they got into nursing just for the money and they seemed stressed (but not enough to want to quit). I just wanted to share this with you to let you know that someone else is going through this too.

Started 2nd semester of accelerated BSN and already feeling stressed, tense, and anxious. 1st semester ok because just theory, etc. Now,I have so many more assignments, reading, practice new skills, prepare pt. profiles for clinicals each day, etc. that I can't keep up. My mind feels like its racing with all the info. I've heard a few stories of people who have a couple of small kids and still make it though. I don't even have kids and I'm struggling. One nurse who graduated from my program said she used to feel nauseous sometime from stress and nerves. Definately don't want to spend the next 3 semesters like that. Don't know if this is just a phase or not. I'm kind of thinking about dropping out of the program and going in a new direction- maybe education?? I feel guilty since so many others wanted to get into the program & I've spent sooooo much money already. Got into this program because I'm interested in the sciences, like helping people, want to help community and my family w/ their med conditions. I like the class lectures, reading, and talking to the patients. I don't like having to wake up at 4:15 am to get to clinicals or the fear I have of making any mistakes. The other day my pt. had a BM and I started to gag from the smell. I guess I just don't know if I'm starting to dislike nursing because I'm in the fast-paced accelerated program or if I don't like the career. I'm sorry this is unorganized but I was just hoping for some comments or suggestions which I'd appreciate. Thank you!!!!!