What do you do when you want to quit?

[Nuked, ASN]

I had heard/read before entering nursing school that everyone experiences a time when they want to quit. I couldn't fathom it. Yet, here I sit. I'm starting my last semester, and I just completed my first week at a new facility (my fifth site of my two year program, not counting the "mini rotations"), and it just didn't go well. They want us to chart before we leave the floor. It takes me over an hour to complete charting on the system the school makes us use. My head to toe this week? Dreadful. Nobody noticed, but I knew it was awful. My instructor didn't like my primary nursing diagnosis or my priority setting, and I still can't see where she was coming from on some of it. My patient was challenging, but that's no excuse. I'd never felt like quitting before, but as this semester goes on I know they're going to expect more and more, and I don't feel at all capable of handling it.

What do/did you do when you felt like quitting?

[tsm007]

Remind myself that goal is graduation, not perfection. And sometimes I have to say this over and over and over again.

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

Sounds like you are in nursing school to me.

Learn from every mistake and do better next time. Stop thinking about quitting and start using your experiences to get better every day.

[sjalv]

I simply remind myself that nursing is a huge field. There are hundreds of settings in which a nurse can work, and every single unit/facility has its own unique culture. Sooner than later, your nursing skills will become second nature and the only thing we will have to focus on is critically interpreting our patients' situations. In my case, I have to do that now along with remembering how to do each skill and what to consider when giving a certain medication. Once we are comfortable as nurses, if we find that we don't mesh well with the unit we end up on, we can see about getting a new job which isn't only a new job, but a whole new unit culture.

If that somehow doesn't solve whatever problem we'll be facing, as nurses we can always pursue grad school, which opens up even more opportunities.

[Loves2scrub]

I can completely relate to your feelings. Last semester (my third) I hit a rough patch with school. I seriously considered taking a year off. I cried a lot, but I made myself stick it out, because in my heart I really think this is what I'm meant to do with my life. I believe that the misery that is nursing school will be worth it in the end. Best of luck to you!

[pixiestudent2]

I can completely relate to your feelings. Last semester (my third) I hit a rough patch with school. I seriously considered taking a year off. I cried a lot but I made myself stick it out, because in my heart I really think this is what I'm meant to do with my life. I believe that the misery that is nursing school will be worth it in the end. Best of luck to you![/quote']

My motivation is zero and I'm so ready just to quit and come back next year.

Ugh.

I only have 20 weeks to go. And 10 of those weeks are my preceptorship.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

I am in semester 5 of a 7 semester program. My first 3 semesters I thought about quitting. I was tired and burned out from the year of school I had already completed. So how did I handle it? I cried. And then I cried again. And then I called one of my best friends who is a nurse and she would talk me down off the ledge. She would remind me of all the blood, sweat, and tears (not always mine;)) that have gone into my schooling. She would reminded me how far I have come and that though it may seem like I am never going to finish or get done, I will. You will too! You are in your last semester! Think of how far you have come and the sacrifices you have made. Yes, you had a bad day but think of the good days where you have made such a difference in a patients life. Think of the friends you have made! It will be worth it. I promise!

[jt003]

You are human. You have come this far and you will get through it. Let yourself melt down for a minute and then pick yourself back up and focus on what you need to do today. Don't think of the entire semester right now, just take it one week at at time. This experience will make you stronger. Don't be so hard on yourself, you are almost to the end.

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

Tonight was one of those nights. UGHHHHH short staffing and high acuity pts whose families refuse to allow them to receive the antipsychotic they need! But hey, tomorrow will be better. Tell yourself this and treat yoself when you have these days. THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

That sounds like a really bad day....... but still, just one day. Don't quit. Everyone is different so, not presuming to know you, but I am pretty sure for me personally, if I quit in 3rd semester I know for sure I would regret it. I hope you keep your chin up and carry on.

[Nolli]

I reflect. What are all the good experiences and warm fuzzy feelings that you've had as a result of choosing nursing as a career? What do you love about it? Stay focused on that and seek out the good stuff while putting up with the ugly stuff. Also find friends you can vent to and to just hang out with that will take your mind off of it and tell you how smart and awesome you are. I have had nights where I just can't pull myself together and mine have supported me because I have done in in a heartbeat for them. Hang in there!

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

I kept trucking along. My last semester (graduated in December) was by the the worst. I never felt like I had my feet under me the entire time.. I was convinced, up until my very last hour of clinical, that I wouldn't pass. In fact, I was thinking about alternate careers because I couldn't fathom going through the hell that was the last semester over again.

How I survived? ONE DAY AT A TIME! I never really understood that concept until I lived it all last semester. ONE DAY AT A TIME. Sometimes, it's one moment at a time. You just have to survive. And you will. You've come too far to quit now.