The Student Room Group

Do I withdraw from Nursing due to mental health?

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to ask for some advice and maybe see if there have been others in my situation.
I used to be a carer a few years back and loved my job and from then on always wanted to do Nursing. This will now be my third time of trying to get through year 1 of adult Nursing and unfortunately I'm having the same issue with Nursing that I always do. I never have an issue with the course itself or my motivation for academic stuff but I have severe anxiety and depression which is proving really difficult. It has got to the point where I cannot bring myself to step on go a ward for placement.
I have completed therapy and I take medication. Both of them have helped a lot but I have been told that over the years facing the same situation, the therapist believes I have learnt escapism and avoidance. I know this is the case as its easier to run than face the issues head on. I am working so hard to get back to placement but constantly in a situation where I'm behind on hours or in a position where I may have to interrupt.
As much as this could be am option due to having previous student finance, this would put me in a difficult position having to retake 1 module again next year.
I know I'm capable of doing Nursing as I've worked in many areas of care and used to have no issues. Since been diagnosed around 10 years ago, I find the build up to the placement and night before etc just awful. Crying, panic attacks, feeling low but once I've given myself a few days it gets easier.
I'm now at a point where I have a couple of days to decide to withdraw, interrupt or continue and try to finish year 1.
Any advice at all would be really appreciated because I'm struggling with my decision. I do have a lot of passion and drive for Nursing, I just don't know what way to turn!!
Thank you for reading

Reply 1

Original post by lisag2291
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to ask for some advice and maybe see if there have been others in my situation.
I used to be a carer a few years back and loved my job and from then on always wanted to do Nursing. This will now be my third time of trying to get through year 1 of adult Nursing and unfortunately I'm having the same issue with Nursing that I always do. I never have an issue with the course itself or my motivation for academic stuff but I have severe anxiety and depression which is proving really difficult. It has got to the point where I cannot bring myself to step on go a ward for placement.
I have completed therapy and I take medication. Both of them have helped a lot but I have been told that over the years facing the same situation, the therapist believes I have learnt escapism and avoidance. I know this is the case as its easier to run than face the issues head on. I am working so hard to get back to placement but constantly in a situation where I'm behind on hours or in a position where I may have to interrupt.
As much as this could be am option due to having previous student finance, this would put me in a difficult position having to retake 1 module again next year.
I know I'm capable of doing Nursing as I've worked in many areas of care and used to have no issues. Since been diagnosed around 10 years ago, I find the build up to the placement and night before etc just awful. Crying, panic attacks, feeling low but once I've given myself a few days it gets easier.
I'm now at a point where I have a couple of days to decide to withdraw, interrupt or continue and try to finish year 1.
Any advice at all would be really appreciated because I'm struggling with my decision. I do have a lot of passion and drive for Nursing, I just don't know what way to turn!!
Thank you for reading
Hi

You should discuss this with your university course leader and placement officer as they are there for you and perhaps will suggest you either try to continue with your coursework or take a leave of absence. You won't be alone with making a decision like this as others have done the same as you have and went on eventually to becoming a nurse.

How do you feel about continuing with your nursing degree, is it your dream job of becoming a nurse and if so how and when do you feel about completing your nursing degree and actually becoming a qualified nurse.

You said that " I know I'm capable of doing nursing" so you already know that you wanting to be a nurse and if you don't go on and complete your nursing degree without always interrupting your coursework now when do you think you'll be in a good and stable position to actually complete the whole 3 years without any distractions.

I think with what you said about you being capable of doing nursing then I think you would make a wonderful nurse if you give yourself the opportunity to do so.

I had fellow students nurses thinking the same thing as you and after talking about things with the university course leader and placement officer and also us ( there fellow students) they decided to go ahead with the coursework and they have since qualified as nurse last summer.

Good luck with whatever decision you make but please make sure you are making the correct decision incase you regret it afterwards.
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

Original post by lisag2291
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to ask for some advice and maybe see if there have been others in my situation.
I used to be a carer a few years back and loved my job and from then on always wanted to do Nursing. This will now be my third time of trying to get through year 1 of adult Nursing and unfortunately I'm having the same issue with Nursing that I always do. I never have an issue with the course itself or my motivation for academic stuff but I have severe anxiety and depression which is proving really difficult. It has got to the point where I cannot bring myself to step on go a ward for placement.
I have completed therapy and I take medication. Both of them have helped a lot but I have been told that over the years facing the same situation, the therapist believes I have learnt escapism and avoidance. I know this is the case as its easier to run than face the issues head on. I am working so hard to get back to placement but constantly in a situation where I'm behind on hours or in a position where I may have to interrupt.
As much as this could be am option due to having previous student finance, this would put me in a difficult position having to retake 1 module again next year.
I know I'm capable of doing Nursing as I've worked in many areas of care and used to have no issues. Since been diagnosed around 10 years ago, I find the build up to the placement and night before etc just awful. Crying, panic attacks, feeling low but once I've given myself a few days it gets easier.
I'm now at a point where I have a couple of days to decide to withdraw, interrupt or continue and try to finish year 1.
Any advice at all would be really appreciated because I'm struggling with my decision. I do have a lot of passion and drive for Nursing, I just don't know what way to turn!!
Thank you for reading

First of all u can do this I struggle with anxiety snd trust it does get to you. Just be strong which I know u are trying to do. And go for it I couldn’t sleep properly knowing i was going on placement. But remember we are there to learn and build knowledge. Go for it and keep saying to yourself I can do this and be proud of yourself as you have done so well just getting into the course. You know this is something you really want to do. So keep fighting through it. You got this.

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