Venting and praying

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Specializes in Emergency.

I decided that I needed a good place to vent my feelings.

I'm in NUR 101 and we started with a class of 100 we are now down to 72. I feel this insane pressure on my shoulders because to pass NUR 101 we need an 80 average. Right now I have a 78 and we still have two tests left and a twenty percent final.

A lot has happened this semester which contributed to my stress. I have Schizotypal personality disorder and the stress of this program along with constant pulling from my parents of; "If you fail Nursing school I will kill you because I spent all this money." has tripled my anxiety along with the preexisting anxiety that comes from STPD. I feel like I am constantly on edge with my grade status even though I've gone to several instructors whom tell me repeatedly "You will be okay." Another event that stabbed me was when one of my close friends during our third test of the semester stood up walked to the front of the class, threw down his paper and exclaimed he quit. Three others did the same after he did the action. That scared me as well as learning that three of my friends are so low when it comes to grades that no matter what they do they can't pass. I haven't had a complete breakdown yet.

I lack in book work and make up completely for it in clinical practice and being more hands on has become a complete curse so far. "Thinking like a nurse" is difficult. I need help so I went to one of the course "repeaters" who previously failed is back in the class. She did provide help by giving me some helpful advice but for the extreme anxiety I have she suggests going to the Doctor for some medications. I don't want to go down that route.

I try to set aside two hours a day for study and I attend a study group who couldn't believe that I did as bad as I did on our most recent exam ( A 75) when I could be in my group and completely give correct answers. I need some help and if anyone has any I will greatly accept and implement it. Please, I need it.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I don't know about your condition, but, if you're having a hard time in fundamentals, you will have an even harder time in MedSurg. Why don't you want to take the person's advice and maybe seek a psychiatrist? Have you thought of going to SDS (Student Disability Services) and requesting for more time on the exams?

Though, I am quite shocked by how many people have dropped that quick, heh.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Consider speaking with a counselor that may be able to help you sort your worries and organize your life. Perhaps even help you figure out if you need disability accommodations for test anxiety. You may need a doctors note explaining your condition and unique needs. Your psychiatrist may help you and just might not recommend medication at this time.

See if your school offers student counseling services sometimes these are free or low cost for students.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Consider speaking with a counselor that may be able to help you sort your worries and organize your life. Perhaps even help you figure out if you need disability accommodations for test anxiety. You may need a doctors note explaining your condition and unique needs. Your psychiatrist may help you and just might not recommend medication at this time. See if your school offers student counseling services sometimes these are free or low cost for students.

^ I agree.

You may need to see someone professionally that will give you the insight whether you need a medication regimen.

I will suggest that you get a fundamental nursing review book to look at the NCLEX-style questions and have an idea on learning how to choose the best answer; this can also serve as a "dress rehearsal" for exams.

Try guided imagery, breathing and relaxation exercises prior and during exams; take your time and identify WHAT the questions are asking YOU; choosing the BEST answer is a challenge for many, so you are NOT alone in your struggles.

Create a plan in your success; you may need review books with NCLEX style questions to help decrease the anxiety. I also suggest a critical thinking and nursing judgement book-I received one from an instructor many moons ago-great book to use as a student and as a practicing nurse.

I used review books throughout my studies to help with my test anxiety; when I returned to nursing school for my RN; I had PTSD; I also have a mood disorder trait; so the challenges could've been enormous, but I had a plan in lace because of my previous test anxiety, and added to my needs. Don't forget to keep talking to your instructors as well; they truly want you to succeed. :)

Sending positive vibes to your success...keep us posted! :yes:

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Specializes in Emergency.

I did contact a close friend of mine and we talked about what I wanted to do with my future. She told me to focus on what I wanted to do with my license. She really did motivate me more.

I plan on studying my regular two hours tonight and another friend said she and I would go out Tonight to talk about it. She reported that: "She knows I can do this since I know all the information its just my anxiety that's killing me." We are going to start doing some breathing exercises for me and so on.

Hope this works Nursing is my passion

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Trust me when I say I understand having "things going on" during nursing school to distract you... I am a mom, a wife, worked full time (3 12hr shifts & went to school 4 days a week), my youngest has Prader-Willi syndrome (Google it) he has numerous issues, doctors, meds, therapists, etc... Then during nursing school my nephew called from rehab (a heroine addict) and asked to move in with my family which we couldn't say no! It included every Saturday counseling for my husband and I and we ended up becoming foster parents to another boy in the rehab during all this who would have otherwise been sent to a group home. We've never been foster parents before so there was trainings for that... I'm in no way downplaying your struggles, trust me, nursing school is tough and at times I was ready to cry, maybe I did! But every time I wanted to give up or didn't feel like studying or thought folding laundry was more important I thought about the end result and what was more important in 5 yrs. no one will remember if the laundry waits but you will remember if you fail... Two hours a day to study is not much. I honestly barely slept, maybe 4-5 he's a night during nursing school but I've been a nurse for a year and a half and it's completely worth it!!! Good luck!

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
I don't know about your condition, but, if you're having a hard time in fundamentals, you will have an even harder time in MedSurg. .

I beg to differ, I seen some people such as myself excel in patho, do poorly in fundamentals, and start picking up in medsurge.

It depends on the material and everyone has their section that they shine in

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I beg to differ, I seen some people such as myself excel in patho, do poorly in fundamentals, and start picking up in medsurge.

It depends on the material and everyone has their section that they shine in

Fundamentals was boring!!!

I loved medsurg/pharm etc.

I did better in medsurg... Lol.

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Breathe

I would advise that you talk to your parents about The added pressure you feel. I am sure if they knew the distress it caused you, they would not do it.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

If you don't understand the "book work," you are not going to be able to do well clinically. Maybe you can slide by in the beginning, but I guarantee you, you will not be able to continue taking care of patients without understanding your material.

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Specializes in Psychiatric/ Mental Health.

In reference to your personality d/o, you can be akward, odd, or one who isolates to themselves, yet thrive as a student and/or nurse. Seems like you have to work abit harder on your social skills, but you can fake it until it comes natural for you.

You say you spend about 2 hrs per day studying, that you don't do well with comprehending the assigned reading, but you do well during clinical. That's good, but eventually, if you pass nclex, YOU will be the nurse, and you will be responsible for providing pt care. You will need to know WHY you are performing certain task, what lab values are saying, what various s/sx are telling you about a pts condition. When/if you take the nclex, you won't be tested on skills, you will be tested on knowledge, and your ability to think critically. So perhaps you should consider studying for more than 2 hrs per day. You owe that to your self and your future pts.

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Specializes in Emergency.
If you don't understand the "book work" you are not going to be able to do well clinically. Maybe you can slide by in the beginning, but I guarantee you, you will not be able to continue taking care of patients without understanding your material.[/quote']

I actually accel in the clinical setting. I'm the top of my class clinically and I'm pretty proud of that. When we get there everything just clicks.

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