Should I quit nursing school?

[PillarofAutumn]

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.

[badmamajama]

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.

Very good advice! Staring at your syllabus and the workload you are facing is overwhelming! Take intone exam at a time, one paper at a time, one clinical day at a time! Take breaks on weekends. Believe it or not you DO NOT have to spend every waking moment studying! I tried that the first year. I studied until I fell asleep, then I would wake up an hour or so later with my face on a book or laptop and keep going until I passed out again. I would do this until the alarm went off, go to class, go to work, come home and take care of my then-Preschooler, get him to bed and start over. I did this for a year. Honestly the anxiety, crying, fear you describe sounds very familiar. However if it is making it difficult for you to function you should reach out to someone. Do you have an instructor who is particularly easy to talk to? What is your relationship like with your instructors? What about your family? Do you live wi your parents? What kind of support system do you have?I would hate to see you quit. Like the PP said that may lead to even more anxiety. The important thing is for you to look out for yourself. There is only one You!

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

Quit, but if I were you, I would just get it over with while you are young. The younger you start, the younger you'll be when you finish. But at the same time, it sounds like you cannot handle the stress of nursing school and taking a few years to mature sounds like a good idea.

[33762FL]

Listen to your parents and stick it out. You'll thank yourself in a few years when you have a job and an income. All your friends with the "normal" late teen's experience will end up saddled with student debt, a useless degree and a barista job if they're lucky. You can have plenty of fun once you're a nurse and you're working (on your days off). Seriously, your parents are giving you good advice. Especially with scholarships - you'd be crazy to quit now.