This is a study of emotional reactions shared by ten student nurses during ten weeks of training. Reactions in a group are often hindrances to learning. For about two to four weeks students showed hopeful expectations, fears, and anxiety. Concern about possibly hurting the patients was interpreted as covering anxiety about their own safety. For six to eight weeks the students were depressed and angry because of difficulties in acquiring knowledge and because of ungratified fantasies about help with their personal problems. They blamed their teachers. Then they became more realistic and attuned to the psychiatry in which they participated. There was general sorrow at parting from each other and from the program. The topics during this experience served as metaphors for the students' feelings.