Should I quit nursing school?

metricalpound · Jan 11, 2012

Hey - it sounds like you are really stressed and you should do things that reduce how stressed you feel. Yes - other people may seem to have more stressors in their life like kids, two jobs or whatever but everyone reacts to stress differently and just because they don't feel stressed doesn't mean that your stress isn't valid.

I would suggest thinking about exactly what about the next semester that makes you feel like this? Because of how difficult it may be? What can you do to deal with the difficulties? How can you take any unnecessary stresses out of your life that may be adding to your life that may also make nursing harder?

Nursing school is hard but remember that anything that is worth it is hard to attain and you will work for your degree in Nursing. =D

Isitpossible, LPN, LVN · Jan 11, 2012

I'm 18 years old and just started my second semester of nursing school. Ever since I was 12-13, I've wanted to work with people and in the medical field. I volunteered at hospitals and clinics, and just really wanted to work with people in some way, especially kids. But lately, I've been second guessing it, mostly because of how hard this upcoming semester is looking to be. I look at the calandar of all my classes and just start crying. I just don't know that I can do it. I get horrible migraines every day (nauseous, can't bare any light, curl-up-in-a-ball and cry kind of migraines), from stress, numbness in my arms and legs, chest pain, and shooting back pain, again from stress, and frequent anxiety attacks about how I'm going to do all of the things expected of me in nursing school, plus the two extra classes I have to take to keep enough credit hours for my scholarship. I know there are people who do this in much less ideal situations than myself, I know compared to others with kids and husbands, I have it sooo easy. But it's really taking a toll on me =( I'm miserable.
But, at the same time, I know I should stay in. I KNOW I should. If I'm going to do this, now is the time. People have done this with SO much harder cirumstances than me and, I don't know, I feel like it'd be such a waste for me to quit just cause it's getting tough. I don't want to have that quitters mentality. I'm on more than enough scholarship money, I live with my parents (who really want me to stick it out), and I've already invested a couple years into pre-reqs and my previous nursing semester. Plus, I feel like giving up a decent paying job at 19-20 years old would be completely stupid of me.
Right now though, I want to quit and go back when I'm a few years older, after I've had somewhat of a normal late teen-20 something life, as opposed to being a miserable, constantly-crying 18 year old who spends all her time having panic attacks about care plans and simulations.
Opinions? Advice? Anything is greatly appreciated.

Hey there, take it easy. Honestly, there is no profession/academic endeavors worth your mental health/physical health and well being. You clearly you want to be a nurse. Thats admirable. However, if its overwhelming for you right now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with take a short pause. Is part time an option? If not take off some time. I have a daughter your age, and honestly if she were experiencing these symptoms you are I would tell her exactly the same thing. STOP!!! Take a breather. Nursing school will always be there...

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2012

i strongly, strongly recommend that you do what you would tell a patient who told you the same thing: see a professional for professional help dealing with this crippling anxiety, right now.

you already recognize it's not connected to reality, you know it's out of proportion, you know already that people with far more objectively-measured barriers are coping with the nursing curriculum, and you know you feel like you are drowning. none of this sounds to me like "take a break" is gonna do it.

your college health service or your family physician or your pediatrician, if that's the last physician you actually saw, can make you a referral. but do not put this off. this too shall pass...but not by itself. get the help you deserve, and come back to tell us you did it. we care. we need you out here! but we need you healthy.:heartbeat

SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN · Jan 11, 2012

I ditto everything grntea said!

♑ Capricorn ♑ · Jan 11, 2012

@ pillarofautumn: there is no worse feeling than quitting, and then regretting your mistake later on in life. i speak from experience. if someway and somehow you can stick this out and graduate, you'll be proud that you did. you are living your dream! you're in nursing school and making it happen. :) do you know how many students would kill to just have the opportunity to attend nursing school? many.

nursing school is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining and demanding. you are now figuring this out, now. once you become a nurse and start working, do think that will change? maybe, then maybe not. the key is to finding your balance between school and your personal life. being able to cope under said stressors and surviving, gives us strength in our character. "that what does not kill us, makes us stronger". right now, you are paying your dues while in nursing school. its tough, but not impossible. it would be beneficial to you if you found a way to cope with your stress and emotions. talk to someone. whether its your parents, instructor, advisor, counselor, doctor...someone. someone in your life right now who can help you. its not healthy to bundle up your emotions and feelings up to the point of breaking. let them out! :) you aren't alone in feeling this way.

something you're probably not going to want to hear, but its worth saying. stop pitying yourself, and saying "poor me". that does not get you anywhere! worrying...does not get you anywhere. self-doubt...does not get you anywhere. effort, determination, hard work and perseverence, gets you places in life. one does not get anything worthwhile in life without working for it and/or earning it. suck it up, stick it out, find your courage and believe in yourself. :) do it!

you didn't mention what class you are in right now so i can only assume its med-surg i. i've heard from friends of mine who are going through this class now that it is one of thee toughest courses to get through. not everyone feels this way, but the majority of them do. it sucks balls, big time! you have alot on your plate so to speak, nursing school plus other classes for your scholarship. that's a pretty tall order to fill and i do feel for you, honestly. do your best thats all anyone can ask.

i think i've said all that i can say for now. i hope this helped in some way. i wish you the best in school. in the end, only you can decide for yourself if nursing is something that you want. the choice is only yours to make. you gotta really want it, i mean, really want this to make it work. good luck to you. :hug:

boocho · Jan 11, 2012

Hello PillarofAutumn!

As I read through your thread, it reminded me of myself. I had always wanted to be a nurse. I graduated from a high school of health professions in new york, volunteered in various hospitals there as well. I went to college and decided to major in something else, didnt graduate due to financial constraints. Since then I have been in the legal, engineering, insurance industries and right back to healthcare. I am currently working as a PCT in Georgia and have been doing that for nearly 11 years. I hate that I feel like I have wasted my time at the age of 47 and barely making it. I say to you, please dont give up on your dream! I know it is rough at the age of 18, but you have drive and passion and that's so needed in today's healthcare. You can do anything you want to and if you are a praying person, you know where your help comes from. At my age (47) I have decided that I truly love nursing and now applying to nursing school. I wish you God's speed in whatever decision you choose. Continued blessings to you!

mazy · Jan 11, 2012

I have learned from past experience that when I am in a situation that is causing me an enormous amount of stress, to the point where I feel like I can't go on, and yet I don't want to follow that instinct to quit, that what is really going on is that there is a huge conflict between what I feel I should do and what it is that I actually want to do.

When you are under stress, which is perfectly normal in your situation, the line between should and want and need can become very blurred. I agree with the others that it would be beneficial to speak to someone professional to see if you can untangle those knots.

Also, you are very young and at this time of your life you have room to step back and reassess what you want for yourself, go off in different directions, learn who you are, and learn to feel a sense of authentic investment in whatever path you chose.

So please do not put so much pressure on yourself to continue on a path where you may not feel comfortable...or it may just be that you don't feel comfortable doing this now, and with time you may feel differently.

Talk this out others and be kind to yourself.

Godisthere · Jan 12, 2012

LOL, I can totally relate. I'm 17, in nursing school and @times it IS stressful, w/ school, my job, and college....I admit...I DID CRY when I took a look at my schedule for the next month....But I'm so exctied to be a nurse and make my dreams come true, that I'm waaaaay too driven to just quit. So no, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT QUIT....unless you feel like nursing isn't for you...:)

Just hang in there...eventually...someday..we'll have our nursing degrees:)

Are you looking for CNA, LPN, RN?????

jemmens · Jan 21, 2012

To be honest with you I have felt the same way, I started nursing school very young and I will be graduating this year just barely 21 years old. If nursing is really what you want to do then don't give up. I remember one semester where it was really hard that I wanted to quit. And every nursing student or graduate goes through that.

I cried alot when I looked at my calender and syllabus for that particular semester and it was my first med-surg class plus pharmacology and it was really overwhelming.

this is my advise to you don't traumatize yourself by looking at the syllabus instead take one step at a time and don't try to get ahead because that was impossible. Get a calender and plan the semester with all the assigments and exams and papers that are due. Take it one day at a time, one assingment at a time, one clinical at a time, one lab scenario at time, before you know it the semester will be over and you will be proud of yourself.

And if it helps, it does get easier after your first hard semester, not that nursing school is easy but after you are able to go through the tough semester the rest seems easier.

Please don't quit, if you really want to be a nurse, I will be here if you need any advise or help with anything and Im sure there are alot of nursing student of this site who want to help as well.

Remember take it one at a time.

loveoutloud · Jan 21, 2012

Only you can answer this question.

Is nursing what you love? If you truely love it and you are meant to be a nurse, then you well get through. You will push through no matter how hard it gets.

Turn your frustration into determination. Turn the fear into fuel and you will be good to go:P

caliotter3 · Jan 21, 2012

Stop looking at the entire semester at one time. One day is manageable. If that is too much, try six hours or only the next hour. On the first day of the semester and once a month thereafter, put due dates on a planner/calendar, then tackle one day at a time. And learn and practice relaxation techniques, every day, no matter what you are doing. Good luck.