Somebody Knock Some Sense Into Me

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Hi Guys,

So, I'm gonna complain, and I'm gonna vent. Feel free to tell me to suck it up...because I know that's what I would say. Maybe, though, some of you can tell me that it get's better.

I've got the semester I'm in, and one more 8 week semester of nursing school before I graduate. As far as grades, I'm fine. (and I'm grateful) However, I'm tired. I've gained 20lbs since I started the nursing program. I'm getting older, but for the last few years I've been so focused on school I haven't even dated.

A couple days ago I was taking care of a nine month old at clinicals, and I found myself thinking about whether I would ever slow down enough to begin a family. It's like my life has come to complete standstill. With the weight I've gained, I don't even feel attractive anymore.

Does this get better after graduation? Did anyone else go through this?

One last disclaimer: I get that I'm incredibly blessed to be so close to graduating, and I get how some of you are like: *****, count your lucky stars. Feel free to knock some sense into me. :)

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Specializes in Informatics / Trauma / Hospice / Immunology.

Nursing school is hectic and stressful and it's natural to both gain weight and dream of a better life in the midst of stress. But it is what you do in the face of adversity that defines you. Try to manage the stress with exercise and scheduling a little time for yourself. You are really really close. Just picture your coming successes... graduation, passing the nclex, doing fun things before you start working.

Final note. I'm a straight guy and I would much rather be with a woman who has a good career than someone who just wants to stay home and have babies. 20 extra pounds or not. Discipline and drive are attractive qualities. So is being a fighter and a finisher. You will have the next 80 years to date and raise kids. And you can sleep when you're dead. My two cents.

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Whatever you do, don't date the 9 month old! Stay with people closer to your age!

All kidding aside, life gets better after school. You can't see it now because you are in the thick of things. I married right before starting school and felt like my spouse and I were separated until I graduated. We had no time for each other. I didn't have time for me!

Good luck as you near the finish line. Concentrate on crossing it, passing boards, and getting a job.

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I just graduated in December and passed my Nclex yesterday. From January 2012 until yesterday i have gained 25 lbs and often feel the same way. You arent alone.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Nursing school is mayhem, for sure. Life will slow down some once you graduate.

There is no such thing as the perfect time to have kids (or if you think you have it, it'll go away quickly, like it did for me). That said, wait until you've found the right mate, or choose to do it on your own (something I considered before meeting my now-ex-husband). There's no "easy" time or "easy" way to go about it, but once you get settled into a nursing job, it might be something to think about. I think we all start thinking about it as we get older. How old are you?

Oh, and many of us gained some weight in nursing school. Stress, eating to stay awake while reading/studying, no time for exercise, no time for making real food... Yeah, it does a number on the waistline!

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We all gained weight in nursing school. One girl gained 75 pounds and her hubby left her. Shes now dating a freaking hunky Italian. I actually went from an A cup to a B cup! Talk about being excited. I finally got boobs!!

Hang in there! You got 2 months to go. You'll lose that weight in no time. Especially if you have to pound the pavement like I did to get a job. Now, on dating. I had one classmate, 56 y/o who found her true love after she took the NCLEX. They are happily married. Don't give up!

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Specializes in hospice.
I would much rather be with a woman who has a good career than someone who just wants to stay home and have babies. 20 extra pounds or not. Discipline and drive are attractive qualities. So is being a fighter and a finisher. You will have the next 80 years to date and raise kids. And you can sleep when you're dead. My two cents.

Wow, do you have some misguided and offensive ideas about stay-at-home parents. There's a lot more to it than "just staying home and having babies." And by the way, how dare anyone put a "just" in front of that in the first place! Do you think pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, running a household, and raising kids well is EASY? A task for the lazy, whom you seem to think lack discipline and drive? Do you think that of men who choose to be at-home parents as well, or is your derision reserved only for women?

I just...... I can't even...... I have to stop typing now or I will violate TOS.

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I gained wait in nursing program also. I've now been on the floor about 6 months and have gained a little more weight. I'm not overweight but I am definitely out of my comfort zone.

I'll be honest...I thought once I started working, I would be too busy and burning calories 13 hours a day/3 days a week. Unfortunately I find the stress, lack of sleep and making the excuse "I work hard, I deserve this {{fill in blank}}" has taken a toll on my weight.

I'm sure this isn't everyone but this is what I have experienced.

Good luck to you in all that you do!!

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Lol...yeah, a nine month old is little young for me. :)

Thanks for all the encouragement, guys. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who has been through this. :)

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Depending on your age, you should try to date as much as you can. If you want children, and you're in your 30's the sooner the better. Your head is in the right place, as soon as you're finished with school. Date, date, date:roflmao:

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
You will have the next 80 years to date and raise kids.
However, she will not have the next 80 years to get pregnant.

Women of child-bearing age have a very limited biological window in which pregnancy and childbirth are possible. Once that window closes, a woman will never get pregnant because her ovaries have exhausted their supplies of eggs.

In addition, a woman who waits until her mid-30s to try for children is taking a calculated risk. For every story of a 40+ year-old woman who gave birth to a healthy baby, there's another story of a woman who went into early menopause at age 35 to 40 without ever having had children of her own.

Although I'm a woman who does not want children, I urge all career-minded females who really want offspring to make that a priority. After all, a career is nothing more than a job, whereas a child is a sign that humankind should continue forging on.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Anecdotally speaking, I've noticed that 6-8 weeks until graduation seems to be prime time for freak-out with nursing students! The actual reason may vary from one to the next but there seems to be a common thread of "is all this really all going to become real?!?" and "but what about--- (my grades, my family, I've never placed a Foley ahhh) is all perfectly normal! All the best to you! :up:

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