Somebody Knock Some Sense Into Me

[lilgop]

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. :)

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Well, in your own words...suck it up!...it get's better! Seriously though, the end of the program when there is actually light at the end of the tunnel is stressful. Then it goes to a different kind of stress, passing the NCLEX and finding a job. Then starts the stress of being new at your job. Then guess what? The stress continues! The weight gain is so common there's a name for it. It used to be called the freshman five, but it's not limited to freshmans and it's usually more than five. Sorry if I sound negative, I really don't mean to be but it's been a particularly stressful week and it's not over yet. I've been a nurse for 20 years so yep, the stress never completely ends.

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

Okay, I'm going to put it like it should be. You are almost at the end of your nursing student life. Do not start dating. Do not start working out. Put your nose in your books and keep it there until you have crossed the finish line. Do not take your eye off the prize!!!!

There is plenty of time for all of that after you pass NCLEX. You have worked too hard and come too far to drop the ball now. That's how so many people fail out in their last semester.

[canigraduate]

You are almost there! You've got this.

Don't lose focus now, it's crunch time.

On your next break, take a couple of days and go over what you want to get out of your nursing career, all the benefits of having a paid job, and all the bragging rights you will have for passing the NCLEX with 75 questions the first time (we all gotta dream).

This will help put your sacrifices in perspective and keep you motivated.

It is totally normal to feel what you feel right now. I lost weight in NSG school from all the stress, then gained it back right before the end from all the stress. A lot of the people I graduated with had marital difficulties and relationship problems from the stress, so not dating is a smart move on your part.

Just remember, this too shall pass. You only have a little bit left. You CAN DO this.

[tsm007]

I totally feel your pain! I have kids and a family already and have been freaking out big time during my capstone. My clinicals follow a full time shift and I am EXHAUSTED at the end of the day. I keep asking myself how I am going to juggle it all when I'm done. What keeps me going is thinking back on my life (I'm probably way older than you - 41). Anyhow, I can look back on my life and find several times in my life where I had a big change. Life is always hard when things change until the new thing becomes a rhythm. It'll get better. I am sure of it! For now I'm keeping blinders on and using tunnel vision to keep me focused. Sometimes I have to block out all the what ifs to get where I wanna be.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

It's senioritis.

That being said, please don't go into this thinking once school is over the stress stops...not to be Debbie Downer but there is still the stress of studying for and passing the NCLEX, the dreaded looking for that first job (can take days, weeks, months or a year + for some), and once you land that job..the stress of being a real live nurse and no longer a student. The stress of orientation can be more brutal than stressing over the next exam etc.

And from that, let me just say..it can and is done all the time by those younger and older than you, by those with less on their plate and those with much more. you will get through school as well as the other stressors that follow. Keep your head in the game. You'll have more free time once you graduate..so date away (not sure how old you are, you may have a lot of time before that biological clock alarm chimes and says..too late). Once you graduate..enjoy your new found freedom of time to yourself.

(afterthought) About the weight gain...I have always been underweight and I picked up a lot of pounds during school. And while I needed more weight, I packed on a few (rolling eyes...more than a few) pounds than really needed. Being middle aged (44) it was difficult to get rid of it during school. Once I started working on the floor, the pounds dropped off and I'm now at a weight that is a good weight for my height. I feel much better now. I'm thinking it could be the same for many of us. Once you hit the floor and are running nonstop all shift, no time to eat..the pounds sort of start dropping.

[Overland1, RN]

Haven't even dated? That is the least of what Nursing school is about . Time should be spent concentrating on learning, studying, and passing... doing the very best you can. Additionally, the social life thing is going to be mostly limited during school semesters, but there can be time to do some fun stuff as well. When I was in school, I was also working part time and found a bit of time between semesters to get away for a two day run to the coast of SE New Hampshire... cheap, simple, relaxing, and excellent (cheap) lobster.

We had many people in our classes who let their lives outside of school interfere with school. There were a couple of marriages, but several more breakups and divorces. Sometimes that new GF/BF just does not understand what earning that Nursing degree is all about, and relationships fail. Nobody ever dies from it, but it is a pain and a disappointment.

Stay focused onfinishing school and getting the degree and license. Make some time to do simple stuff that you enjoy, but do not get involved in anything that can or will become drama. Trust me... there will be plenty of (time for) drama once you find a Nursing job.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

It's senioritis.

Nah, that senior isn't inflamed. What you mean is "seniorosis," the condition of being a senior.* We hear it all the time. Pretty soon, as the real end of school is right there in front of them, we'll start hearing about the super anxiety of actually working as a nurse without the school to buffer you with classmates, instructors, and agreements with clinical placements. It'll all be you, baby.

But hey. Look around. See all the nurses who did it? You're not such a special snowflake. You can do it too.

* Remember the difference between diverticulosis (having diverticuli) and diverticulitis (inflamed diverticuli)? There ya go.

:flwrhrts:

[dcwang]

i think as a woman it's important to make time to date! choices get fewer and fewer as you get older because women are more attractive when they're young. it's very important to workout! before i got into nursing school and was taking prereqs I lost ALOT of weight because I was constantly stressed. I'll make sure to workout and find my future husband while in nursing school no matter what it takes.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Perspective is important. "Nursing School" will not make you gain weight. Nursing school will not "make" you be single. You make your own choices. What you eat..how much you exercise. It is you not "nursing school".

Eat less..exercise more. You burn more calories than you eat then you will lose weight.

Sure it is stressful...life is stressful. Ultimately it is up to you. I actually lost weight in nursing school. My reason was I would forget to eat...however I don't blame nursing school for this. Many people gain weight and all they are doing is sitting on the couch watching TV.

You are strong enough to make it through nursing school...you are strong enough to lose the weight. Hang in there and keep at it!

[socialworknurse]

Just want to share that I am at the same point in my program...2nd to last semester and can't wait to graduate! In terms of stress, it will most likely always be there. Are you going to be motivated to exercise in the future when you're exhausted after a 12-hour shift? It's a matter of learning how to balance life so we can manage it and have the support we need in our lives. The most stressful time of my life was 2 years after my twins were born prematurely, and that was as a SAHM. With that perspective, I find nursing school to be manageable because the stress is finite, controllable and manageable through choices we make with our time. Maybe taking the time to get involved in an active hobby would meet your goal of losing weight and dating? Please take time for yourself...you are more important than your job:)

[TheRNwithaPen]

Venting is part of the process! We all need an outlet.

I also put on weight during nursing school. I never felt like I had a good night's sleep. I also got sick. I have horrible allergies and get weekly shots, but still I come down with sinus infections around spring and fall. I knew my stress levels were high when I came down with a sinus infection twice in one month. It was bad...my study group demanded to know where my inhaler and epi-pen was at all times :-)

Does it get better? Yes. But maybe not until after you take the boards, depending on how much time lapses between graduation and when you schedule your exam.

You're almost done, so just keep pushing. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

[Farawyn]

You will be fine. YOU WILL BE FINE. You will be on your feet, you will get into a routine. You will get healthier, you will lose weight. And if you don't, remember that scrubs are loose and nurses are HOT.