I'm not too proud to admit that last semester weekly breakdowns were common; almost expected. And no, I'm not talking about my car breaking down (although old, she's reliable enough). I'm talking about tears of frustration and discouragement and fits of "I can't do this" and "I give up". There was also the occasional homework strike where the oppressing and suffocating amount of paperwork and readings simply made me avoid it altogether. Thankfully my sweet boyfriend (now fiance) was always there to talk some sense into me, gather up the paperwork I had thrown across the room in frustration and dry my tears. While he swears this was not a weekly occurrence I am sure it happened at least every 10 days. Never before had school kicked my butt so hard.
Last semester was my first semester of nursing school and a huge wake up call for me. Before you get the impression I was miserable beyond all belief and regretting my decision to pursue nursing, please know that is not the case. I absolutely love it. It challenges me every day, keeps me from getting bored and there is no better feeling than leaving the hospital after a great day of clinical. It's like I'm reminded all over again why I first aspired to be a nurse. But like almost anything else in life, this dream has its frustrations.
As a second semester nursing student now I can look back on last semester and reflect on all I've learned, (i.e. life lessons that weren't offered in any of my textbooks); specifically time management and priorities.
One of my biggest problems last semester was managing my time accordingly. It was a constant battle choosing between what I wanted to do, and what I had to do. It wasn't until I scheduled each day, hour by hour did I finally develop a structure for my chaotic week and began to visualize what free time I had and when. This was a huge help for me! I quickly learned what nights allowed me to hang out with friends or just take a break from the books. While scheduling my days so meticulously wasn't always fun the benefit far outweighed the cost. Some days to avoid carrying around my cumbersome planner I would write out my day on an index card and slip it in the front of my notebook. This allowed my schedule and tasks for the day to be within easy viewing.
While nursing school is an important aspect of my life right now I've also learned to manage my priorities accordingly. Yes, nursing school takes up a lot of my time. It demands a lot of attention and focus. And even when I'm not in class or clinicals I have found myself thinking about a homework assignment or fretting over a clinical for the following week. But I finally came to realize it was taking up so much of my emotional energy and creating unnecessary anxiety. I began to reevaluate my priorities.
I looked at what was most important to me in my life. Areas like time with family and my spiritual life were suffering and I knew that nursing school was the reason. I came to the conclusion that while nursing school is important it is not the "end all, be all" as my mom likes to say. It has been an adjustment for me this semester; allowing more time for other things in life and learning to enjoy them without feeling guilty. And believe it or not this semester has been so much better than last. Granted, the work load is different than the previous semester but I'm also enjoying putting into practice these important tools I have come to learn. This semester I have made more time for friends and bible study. I've been home every weekend to be with my family and fiance. And I am enjoying the process of wedding planning. The best part of all is I don't feel like I'm drowning because of nursing school because I'm making time for things I want to do and enjoy.
Time management and priorities people. It may not be nursing school but chances are there is something else in life that could use a little time management yourself.
~Hannah
"Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~Isaiah 41:10
