ready to give in/give up

Published

Specializes in CNA.

So I made it through fundamentals, and entered into med-surg 1. Six weeks in and I am starting to think I'm ready to give up. I worked my butt off to get into the program, and have always wanted to be a nurse but dog-gonit there is no way I can keep up with all the paperwork, let alone read any of the chapters. I have to work to support myself. Add having a 3 page quiz, 5 pages of general questions, 20 NCLEX questions + concept maps on each incorrect answer, a 12 page care plan, skills for lab, studying for the test on thursday, and reading (or skimming rather) the 4 chapters for thursday lecture PLUS the three chapters for Pharm on thursday, studying for the 2 Pharm tests on thursday and this boy is not getting any of it. Not to mention my house is a mess and dont have time to go do laundry or clean anything. I know everyone goes through this, and I am just venting for the most part, but I seriously am doubting if i can make a go of this or not. There is no time for all that and to be expected to comprehend anything after doing it all??? How do people do it & work too? It just amazes me that instructors think we have all the time in the world to do all this. I dont know, maybe I am not cut out for this afterall. Thanks for letting a frustrated student vent! Off to work I go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Maybe you DO need to give something up -- but not necessarily the dream of being a nurse. Being a full time student in a demanding program is the equivalent of having a full time job. It's not reasonable to expect that you can do that and also work another job more than part time and also maintain a household, etc.

Maybe you need to become a part time student ... or cut back on your employment and take out more loans ... or cut back on your living expenses (e.g. studio apartment a lot like a college dorm room) ... etc. Sometimes, we have to take a step backwards in order to move forward in the long run. Could that be the best approach to your situation? Few people can do it all at the same time. Something may have to be allowed to "go" for a while.

How are your classmates doing it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Med-Surg.

Honestly, I know how you feel...personally I just try to push through and DO WHAT I CAN, I focus on one day at a time or I get extremely overwhelmed. It's like I go through phases where I am on a ball and then I have a mental breakdown. I think it is just part of it.

When I start to go crazy I just take a deep breath and think about why I am doing this and how much it will be worth it.

My advice, BREATHE! Do some qi gong as my teacher would love, maybe even meditate. It helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management.

I know exactly what it feels like!!! I'm a single mother, working 2 jobs (my daughter needs food,shelter,clothes etc lol) and going full time with nursing school in my second semester. I have had more breakdowns in the past 6 months than my whole life. My motto is "never give up never surrender". Do the best you can and if it works it works, if it doesn't it wasn't meant to be good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I felt the same way in nursing school. My second year I felt so overwhelmed it was unbearable but trust me you have to keep on going. It does get better and actually this experience is preparing you to be a better nurse. The hard part of getting into a nursing program is over. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think all Nursing students feel like that sometimes at 1 in the morning Im like I quit at least if I quit now I can get some sleep

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion