Worst semester ever!

Nursing Students General Students

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I am happy to report that I have survived my worst semester of Nursing School so far. I cried more in the past week from stress and exhaustion than I have cried in a long time. Then I cried tears of relief when I got my final grade for the semester. Now I'm going to sleep for three weeks before I start my LAST semester of school! Woohoo!!

I agree with Houtx, the real world is plenty more tough, the emotional fragility on this website is sometimes astounding.

I don't think that the OP sounds fragile at all. I believe many feel like her, but won't admit it due to comments like these.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I think that almost all nursing students at one point or another have had a break down or a cry at one point or another because nursing school is very stressful for sure! Just persevere and try to see the light at the end of the tunnel! So many times in my undergraduate degree have I had stressful situations and clinical instructors who thought i was stupid and I made it :-) and so will you! :-)

This.

My spring semester of my final year had me mad to the point of tears; I didn't let them see me sweat though; I was beyond relief to be able to see the next semester; I was SURE I was not going to pass! :dead:

Enjoy your three weeks, do something for yourself to unwind before you hit the books again. :up:

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I agree with Houtx, the real world is plenty more tough, the emotional fragility on this website is sometimes astounding.

Give me a break! You want to talk real world? Your partner says he's tired of working after you have given up your "job"to raise the kiddoes, breast fed them both for 18 months, taught them how to garden, raise their food, drove them to school, and became involved with every activity they pursued. Your oldest is diagnosed with autism. Never a day in the household is peaceful. Said partner is still constantly "tired". So you pursue a nursing career. Funny. It seems easy after all of this. Second year you are at honours with distinction. Does that mean you have not struggled?? There haven't been difficult days?? FYI. Those of us who are actually strong can admit to this. We do not need to hide behind the illusion of perfection. People have difficulties! It does not mean they are weak. It means they are smart enough to admit it, seek advice, and support others. How is this so hard to understand, for those so "enlightened" as to how the real world works?

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Congrats on making it through a difficult semester! I am on summer break right now and I know back in May.. it was all I could do to just make it through those last few weeks before break .. (school, job, husband, 3 kids, and a new home we moved into in June)... But I have to say that I'm so looking forward to getting back at it for 3rd semester! It's like having a baby.. right away you say you'll never do that again.. then a couple years later you wind up pregnant! lol

Good luck to you and try and relax a little while you are on a break. You'll be refreshed and ready to go back in no time!!

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Good for you! If anyone finishes third semester and isn't freaking out I would worry about them.all the nurses I know tell me nursing school is harder then nursing your always being graded. That's stressful.you just have one more semester,hang in there,its almost done!!!

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Well, this barnacled old bat raises a glass to you and says, ENJOY! Do not pick up your books, don't think you need to review NCLEX "just a little more". Your 3 weeks are yours, and will make no difference to your boards. They will however let you head into the next semester just a little more relaxed. cheers!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I don't know which was worse: failing my first ever nursing exam exactly one year ago, or being group leader during my very last course (capstone) of the RN-BSN program. (By the way, 2 weeks and I'm done!:D). I didn't cry but man, the words I used would make my very-religious family tar and feather and then stone me to death:blink:!

During this process, I've had several difficult nights at work. In fact, it would be quicker to count the number of good nights that I've had for the entire year! Having struggles in school, at work, and at home (father had a heart attack back in January), makes for a stressful life all around. My suggestion is that we keep moving forward until we gradually empty our plates of the veggies that causes the irritable bowels to flare up. School doesn't last forever (thank God!), but as a practicing nurse, student days seem like a walk in the park. It's all life and we roll with the punches however we can, whether it is shedding a few tears, swearing a few phrases, or tightening up that upper lip. We'll get through it. Just as all good things come to an end, so do all bad things.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

The lowest thing for me was failing out of Nursing School. I "should" have graduated last May. The day I failed was a low day for me. I followed the process, had my exit interview, laid out my plan to go forward, and eventually was offered a seat in the program as a returning student. I took what was a very low point and turned the subsequent 3 semesters into a shining example of what a returning student can do. I graduated a couple months ago.

Every semester has its challenges. Every school has that one semester that's just horrible to get through and from then on, things are good. Rumor, if not actual statements, will let you know what semester that will be for your program. The rumor mill wasn't wrong for my program... and I not only survived, I thrived through most of it, especially that second time through it.

Good job getting through a tough semester!

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This semester was also tough for me. I questioned many times if this was the path I needed to take, then clinical would come around and I would fall in love with nursing all over again. I am glad your nightmare semester is over.

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Specializes in ICU, neuro ICU.
You poor babies. If you hate nursing school so much, I am very concerned about your ability to cope with the real world of nursing practice. Just as much (if not more) stress & the stakes are so much higher.

Nursing is stressful. Doesn't matter if you're in your first year of school or first year of being an ICU nurse, you will probably feel more stress than you have felt before (since it is entirely relative.) Stress is different for people of all ages and experience levels, and not to mention there are different types of stress PERIOD. You condition yourself to new types and presenting that kind of attitude is bitter, unnecessary, and makes you seem quite cold.

This type of logic is basically "Hah, you broke your toe? You have to break your femur in order to feel any pain!" I sure hope you don't treat your patients that way.

Congrats on taking on such a challenging semester and making the best of it! Now go get some R&R. :up:

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Specializes in ICU, neuro ICU.
Again, I had a horrible stressful semester and I cried a few times. That doesn't mean I'm emotionally fragile. I live and work in the real world so I know how tough it is. You must have made it through school without a bit of stress. Well congrats to you for that. Some of us aren't so lucky.

Lol, right? I bet they never EVER stressed over an exam or got a single bad grade! We could learn something from them, you know ;):sarcastic::roflmao:

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You poor babies. If you hate nursing school so much, I am very concerned about your ability to cope with the real world of nursing practice. Just as much (if not more) stress & the stakes are so much higher.

Too true. Sometimes a guide has to show you things you didn't think you'd see along the path.

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