What to do when you want to quit???

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Aug 29, 2003

I felt that way many times during the process and usually the answer was to complete whatever paper or project was giving me the most grief at the time. I would say to myself that I would just finish what I started (paper, exam, etc) and then I would give myself permission to quit if I still felt horrible.

I've also started courses that I knew would be hard, and just muddled through the bloody things. I couldn't justify one course holding me back from my goal. But if you want to change your goal, there is no shame in that, you would be stupid to put yourself through torture for nothing.

If it wasn't the beginning of a semester I would advise you to just complete the courses you are on now ( you would've already paid the money anyway, right?). But if you are having doubts now why not move on? Or take a job and think for a semester, or take an overview of courses if you can afford it. Go parttime, do volunteer work, stay home with family, or try out a course in a different subject. None of it is time wasted, you're still learning.

Rapheal · Aug 29, 2003

I went through that too. Could it be that you need to lower your standards temporarily? Nursing school is like culture shock. A totally different way of doing things. It is hard to accept at first. I suggest you try to ease up on your expectations for the rest of the semester. If you still feel the same then maybe nursing is not for you at this time in your life.

And could you be feeling angry about "the way they run nursing school now a days?" I felt angry for awhile because there seemed to be so much time wasted when things could have been much more efficient. I got over feeling angry and learned to accept what I couldn't change.

Either way I wish you the best of luck in your future.

agent · Aug 29, 2003

Dont quit! The grass is not greener believe me

kahumai, RN · Aug 29, 2003

What do you do when you want to quit???

You do whatever it is you need to relax you; take a bath, go to the mall, spend time with your family or friends, or just do nothing.

Realize that tomorrow is a new day and you'll start over again when you get there.

You're halfway in and obviously very intelligent and dedicated; we need nurses like you!!!

It's not going to last forever; you can do it!

:nurse:

angelac1978 · Aug 29, 2003

what would you do with your life if you quit? If nursing is your ultimate goal, will you be happy doing anything else? While it might seem like you are unhappy with school now, its just school and its not forever. Try to remember why you wanted to go to nursing school in the first place.

A

Catma63 · Aug 29, 2003

I have that math test coming up next week. How do you think you did on yours? I've been totally stressed out practicing the problems. Admittedly, I'm having a hard time remembering all of the metric conversions and I can't very well do good at dimensional analysis or any kind of converting until I'm stronger.

Encouragement, anyone?

PJMommy · Aug 30, 2003

Hang in there hon. We all have those days. I call them my "pity party" days. :) It's hard and it's time-consuming so here is what you need to do: take breaks!! Pick a day every week (or every other week) where you will NOT think about or study for anything school-related. Play with the kids -- do something special with them, have fun.

Another idea (and btw...I have 4 munchkins so can speak from experience) -- spend evenings with family, go to bed at a reasonable time and then get up at an ungodly hour to study (for me this is often 5 AM). I brew a pot of coffee and sit down and study, study, study for a good 2 hours before everyone else starts rolling out of bed. I didn't take away from "their" time so don't feel guilty. Study over lunch, study after the kids are in bed, study anytime you get a free moment -- but always take that day for putting school on the back burner.

I'm pulling for ya'!!

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Aug 30, 2003

Why/who are you butt kissing? I started second semester this week & am enjoying it so far. It's a little nervewracking as we have the math exam next week as well as 4 skills evaluations, but once that is done.....it's just exams & clinicals for the rest of the semester. I find the content of med-surg to be very interesting. Perhaps I got lucky & ended up with a good professor. We don't have to kiss butt to do well in class. I'm wondering why you feel the need to.

jenac · Aug 30, 2003

School is very hard-especially when you have kids to come home and take care of. You sound exhausted and frustrated, and scared. We've all been there at one point or another. But you can do this. Cry if you have to, sleep extra if you need to. Take a walk-read a non-medical book. Go play with your kids. Anything to get all of this off your mind. Than take a deep breathe and hop back in. Remeber why you want to be a nurse in the first place-and think about how much that means to you. You have given up alot, and put yourself and your family through alot to be where you are. But hold your head high and remember that every day ends. Look at each day as it comes. It sounds silly-but write your name on a card, with RN after it. Put it in a place you'll see every day when your studying. Look at it before you open any books. It's a great motivater. Keep telling yourself-You can do it. Good luck.

bigwavedave · Aug 31, 2003

one question- how do you want nursing schools to be run these days? just curious. anyways- what has helped with me was last semester which was my 2nd of four semesters i was feeling the same way. i was bummed my grades were not what they should/could be and i was not motivated. luckily the wonderful people who post here gave me some great ideas of times/ways to make time to study and that helped a lot. one suggestion i have- and it also worked for me- observe whatever area of nursing interests/drives you. for instance for me, i am really interested in pursuing crna school. so i went and was in the OR two days last semester...that lit a fire that is still burning for me to apply myself and fight on for these last two semesters. i hope you find that spark for you and you don't throw away what you have already achieved. and remember- in today's society/business world, you really have to kiss butt to get anywhere, so it's not just in nursing.

FutureNurse2005 · Sep 4, 2003

All I can suggest is to take one day or night each week and make it a family night!! That is what we are planning to do! Go out for pizza or bowling or even just go to the park! Just spend time with your family without talk of school!

Please dont give up! Just remember that there are so many other people who would love to have your spot in nursing school!! Finish the program!! You will be so glad you did!!

Good luck!:kiss