Tips for managing stress while in nursing school

amarten

Whether you’re starting your first semester of nursing school or in your last semester of clinical rotations, nursing school can be both exciting and stressful. When I first started nursing school, I knew it would be challenging since I was in an accelerated program. Between the coursework, 12-hour-long clinical rotations several days a week, endless studying, and pressure to succeed, I quickly realized I needed to manage my stress before it managed me. So, whether you’re in your first or last year of nursing school, here are a few tips that I believe can potentially help you manage stress:

• Stay organized: One of the biggest game changers for me was staying organized. My planner was my lifeline to keeping up with my personal, professional, and school commitments. To take it a step further, I color-coded every commitment type, and for school, each class assignment had a different color.
• Manage your time: Managing my time was key in nursing school. I found it helpful to break my days and weeks into blocks of time and set realistic goals for the week. For example, if I had an exam on Friday, then I would have several study blocks throughout the week. Breaking large projects into smaller pieces with my own self-set “soft” deadlines helped prevent me from procrastinating and becoming overwhelmed.
• Practice self-care: Practicing daily self-care is a must. Self-care activities don’t have to be big; they just need to be something that you enjoy. Consider reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing mindfulness. Also, make sure to prioritize getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising. In nursing school, I aimed for at least eight hours of sleep, kept healthy snacks in my bag, and squeezed in short mindfulness walks to clear my head and reduce stress.
• Have a support system: Having a strong support system can make all the difference in nursing school because it helps you feel less alone in such a demanding journey. Your fellow classmates will understand exactly what you’re going through—they can share study strategies, exchange notes, or listen after a tough clinical day. Who knows, many of your nursing school friends could become lifelong friends! Friends and family can also provide emotional balance by reminding you to step away from school stress and recharge.
  
  By leaning on others for advice or motivation, you can help reduce feelings of isolation and build resilience to handle the stress nursing school throws your way.
  

What are you doing to help manage the stress? Share in the comments below!