LizzieRickard

A= 100-93, B=92-85, C=84-77

DISCLAIMER!!! I know that we are not allowed to give medical advice. This is not what I am asking. How do you deal with your anxiety through nursing school? I started taking Paxil before I started this semester because of my unrelated anxiety disorder. I was on a low dose of 10mg. It was not working, at all. I tried alternative methods of relaxing: bubble baths, ice cream, naps, reading, watching TV, instrumental music, etc... Nope. My thoughts were racing the whole time. I couldn't squash the feeling of 'Oh God, what if I flunk out? I would have no options in life. I would have to work at my awful job for the rest of my life. I can never have kids. I'll be homeless if I try.' so on and so on. Anyway, I just requested to bump up my dose of Paxil to 20mg after having a panic attack in the parking lot of my school because I got a notification that I needed a TB test and only had a day to get it planned and scheduled. No big deal, really. I mean the test takes 3 seconds to do... but for some reason I broke down in my car. I start my new dose on Wednesday after my last final (I remember starting Paxil and do not want to deal with all the effects if I have any) My question to yall is: What do you do to deal with anxiety? Are you on medication? Does it work? How is it effecting your life outside of school?

So in a few days I will take my first quarter final. The next day I have my first day of real clincals. WITH REAL LIVING PEOPLE! We have had our clinicals in the lab for the past few weeks and Thursday I will be going to a convalescent care center to tour and interact with real people. Things are suddenly becoming very real. How did you deal with going to a clinical site for the first time? I work overnights and I work the night before I go so I wont get to sleep before I go in. I am going to be stressing all night over it. Any help on how to relax? How did your first real on-site clinical go?

I work full time overnights (2300-0900 unless I have class then it is 2300-0600). I go to class full time from 0800-1400 then sleep from 1500-2200. I make it work by staying focused and making lists of my assignments. I work ahead and study hardcore on my days off. It works, but it is a struggle. I would work less but I simply can't. Well, I could if I wanted to be homeless, but that doesn't seem helpful.

When you are at work you should be focusing on work, not on finding a wife. Do that in your free time. Keep the two separate. Don't date coworkers, it never ends well.

I take meds for my anxiety. I had the same problems, comfort eating, anger/aggression, panic attacks, etc. I wasn't depressed, just stressed. I talked to my doctor and she gave me a low dose of medications. I am still in the adjustment stages, but my grades have slightly improved and I don't get so upset or angry. I am more tired, however. I used to be able to just go go go go go and now I have to have sleep or I am useless. I slept for a few days after starting, but I am more regulated and if I get about 6 hours a night I am fine. It has also helped clear my mind so I can focus to study, retain the information I am studying, and focus on my exams. Although, my first exam right after I started I got the lowest grade of the quarter (70% ugh) But I have done much better on the exams after I started taking it. My marriage is better for it since I used to be a tyrant. Overall you have to do what is best for you, but in my experience it has helped.

Hey everyone, Not really new to the site since I have been reading forums on here for around a year, but decided to finally make an account. Anyway, to get to the point... I NEED MOTIVATION. My semesters are broken up into quarters and next week is the end of my first quarter. I am passing, but only just. I am fine discussing terms and proficient in my skills, but the NCLEX style questions are confusing the hell out of me. I am not doing well at all. I have an 83% in my class (failing is 77%). I have a Unit Exam on Monday, Skills Test Tuesday, and Final Wednesday. I try reading the book but it is droning on and on. Any tips? My school doesn't do powerpoints or handouts. We take a few notes in class and all the rest is learning on our own. We get maybe 2 full class days to discuss 6-8 chapters then we test on it before moving on to the next Unit. I feel like I am suffocating under all the reading. What can I do?