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Discussion

Seriously considering leaving my nursing program.....

I am about 5 months away from completing my program and everyday I have to force myself to go to class/clinicals. I have maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA through my entire program and I really think the stress of maintaining that has finally gotten to me. The thing is, I really want to be a nurse more than anything and I love helping people. I am not just sure I will make it through the rest of the program with my sanity intact. I am also afraid to take a rotation off because I think that when you leave things in general, the longer you are away the harder it is to go back. I just don't know what to do. It is impossible to talk to classmates because as far as they are concerned I am doing well while a lot of them are struggling so in their view I have nothing to complain about. Friends and family outside of school are no help because they can't begin to understand how stressful nursing school really is. It is so bad that I honestly end up in tears some days. I really am at a loss as to what to do so that I can get through this. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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    • Featured Replies

    While no doubt nursing school is strressful and a lot of work, it is imperative you try to schedule some "me time" daily. I usually do this right after classes end for the day where I either go to the gym and work out or attend yoga just to destress and unwind. I highly recommend it as it allows me to keep my sanity and return to my stiudies rejuvinated

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    • Experts

    So ... you really love nursing and you are doing exceptionally well in nursing school. But the stress is driving you crazy.

    OK. So ... the problem is not nursing ... it is your reaction to the stress of feeling that you have to be perfect all the time. What you need is some help in managing stress and leaning to forgive yourself when/if you are not perfect. You need to recognize that you are not going to be able to help anybody if you run away from situations because you can't handle the possibility of not being perfect.

    I suggest you find a counselor who can help you overcome that problem. That fear of failure is starting to prevent you from trying -- and will lead you to ultimately fail completely if you let yourself become paralyzed from it. Does your school have any kind of health services or counseling services? Do you have a physician, Nurse Practitioner, or clergyman you can talk to?

    In the meantime ... explore some basic stress management techniques ... schedule leisure time, exercise, do yoga, whatever. But please don't throw away all your previous work until you have tried to save your nursing career by addressing this problem in a serious way. As you have recognized, it can kill your career if you let it. Confront it head on and take care of it by recognizing it for what it is and developing a plan to treat it. Get some help if necessary (and it sounds like you need some help with it.)

    Take care -- and try to take some short breaks during which you don't even think about nursing or school. Take a walk. Go out to dinner with friends. See a movie. etc. It might mean you get a few "B's," -- but they will be the most valuable grades you earn at school because they will make your nursing career possible.

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    I agree that you need to take time for yourself. Nursing school is stressful and you have to find a way to manage stress.

    A 4.0 is awesome, but you can't maintain it at the risk of losing your sanity. If you can relax your standards a little, you may reduce stress and be able to finish school. The end goal of achieving your dream is more important than perfection in school.

    Granted, it is hard to get a lower grade than you are used to getting!!

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    My A&P prof used to say: "You know what they call the med student who graduates at the bottom of their class? -- 'Doctor'." Just get there. You don't need to lose your marbles maintaining a 4.0 gpa. (What good is a 4.0 if you end up in a straight jacket?) :bugeyes: Your patients will not ask you what your gpa was in nursing school. They WILL notice your care and competence. Give yourself permission to NOT be perfect.

    The previous posters' advice is excellent -- de-stress through exercising, time with friends and see a counselor if you think that might help.

    Good luck to you! :)

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    Dear Friend,

    I understand so totally what you are saying. I also felt that way at the beginning of my last semester. (I also maintained a 4.0 through school.) I just felt like I couldn't do it anymore. But what was helpful was that I opened my ears to listen closely to my classmates and the feeling was almost universal. We were ALL just pushed to the edge and SOO burned out. Knowing that I was not alone in experiencing this feeling was very helpful. The last semester is just a challenge, emotionally and academically. You're just plain tired and worn out. This is especially true if you're in a program that requires year round attendance. It feels like it will never end. But it will, the light at the end of the tunnel won't look like the headlight of the oncoming train....It will be the light of the nursing lamp....shining for YOU!

    As far as the 4.0....for my final semester I had to really examine myself and see where this drive was coming from. I was fortunate to have a classmate that was also struggling with this issue and we were able to talk about it. My classmate and I share a similar belief system, and we were able to encourage each other to understand that our value as a person is NOT reflected by our GPA. Dear one, do not allow your GPA to define you. You are an infinitely precious person, with a kind heart and love for your fellow creatures. THAT is what makes you special...NOT a 4.0 GPA. That 4.0 is so very transitory and means so little in the long run....Yes, I did graduate with my 4.0 intact, but it was close. Once I accepted that being a nurse was FAR more important than being a perfect nursing student, I was able to relax and get through the semester. It was hard...and there were days when my family had to assure me that I could do it...days with lots of tears.....but hold on if you can, and go for it. Allow yourself to breathe a little this semester. Even if it means no 4.0....it's ok...you'll be a NURSE. THAT is the precious piece....you'll BE A NURSE!!!

    Hang in there....it's hard, I know....but you can do it. Put your books aside for today....or even for a few hours and let your mind relax. Trust me. Once you're refreshed a little, the NS info will be easier to take in.

    Let us know how you're doing. I'll be praying for you.

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    • Experts

    See your doctor. He may recommend a medical leave of absence. If so, get it in writing and follow the steps to obtain this medical leave of absence for one semester and come back with the intention to finish. If you don't go through the proper channels with the school you will be dismissed and likely have no recourse. If you don't want a medical leave of absence, then get it together and finish. Good luck.

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    previous post have hit the nail in the head with good encouragement. my husband has to take a bath every day to unwind from work and everything around him. i would urge you to find an activity that is relaxing to you that can be done if not everyday, but often or when needed depending on your stress level. don't be so hard on yourself, i applaud you that you've maintained a perfect 4.0, don't risk your sanity, health over a perfect score when you can pass nursing school with some b's and mainting your balance. you're almost there, enjoy your summer, relax, rest, rest, and rest, and just know that you have a semester left.

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    • Author

    I just want to thank you all for your kind words of understanding and encouragement, and most of all your must needed advice. So I decided to take it easy and just give my self a break. The result: I got a B on my last exam, but it most assuredly did not kill me or my GPA. lol !!!!

    So now when I get home, instead of cracking open a book, I turn on spongebob for a while and do absolutely nothing.....

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    Good for you for taking a break!! I'm glad the B didn't kill you! ;)

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