"I am a nursing students and I am already overwhelmed. I haven't finished the program yet. Did I pick the wrong career?"

In my experience teaching nursing students, I've encountered many who question if they've chosen the right path before even passing the dreaded NCLEX exam. Here's how I address these common concerns to help you navigate through the overwhelm:

As a nursing student facing overwhelm, you're not alone. The journey to becoming a nurse is challenging for many reasons. The long process of entering a nursing program, intense training, external expectations, and the sacrifices of time and routines can easily lead to feelings of doubt and stress.

Furthermore, the competitive nature of getting into a nursing program, with limited spots and rigorous requirements, can be disheartening. The pressure to succeed once admitted adds to the stress. The intense educational phase of any career can be overwhelming because you're uncertain if the effort will be worth it in the end.

For the most part, this is normal and not exclusive to nursing; please don't take it personally.

Sometimes, when your career choice doesn't align with others' expectations, it can amplify the challenges of this transition. You'll feel like you have made the wrong decision because your choice isn't supported by people in your life that you care about. In addition, balancing classes, clinicals and study time can consume your schedule, leaving little room for personal routines and activities.

If you find yourself overwhelmed, here are three practical steps to regain perspective and manage stress:

1. Pause and Breathe: Remind yourself that feelings of overwhelm are common in such demanding situations. Take a step back to gain clarity and objectivity. You have the capability to overcome this phase. Your life is a series of moments, not just one. Often times our feelings are so strong it takes as fact.

2. Seek Support: Don't bottle up your feelings. Talk to your faculty liaison or counselor. Connecting with others can provide valuable resources and alleviate the sense of isolation.

3. Remember Your Goal: Understand that nursing education aims to equip you for your future role as a nurse. Embrace your novice status and reassess your expectations accordingly.

Don't let feelings of doubt discourage you from continuing on your nursing path.