Accepted & now worried about the hard work

allnurses Guide · Feb 11, 2010

School is stressful enough without setting yourself up ahead of time. Sit back, take a deep breath and relax! Celebrate getting accepted!

Then make sure you set aside time for yourself and family, when school isn't allowed to interfere. You may give up sleep time to do it, but its really important.

The work isn't as qualitatively difficult as it is quantitatively big. There is a huge amount of new information that needs to be absorbed, not difficult concepts, just a lot of them in a short time. Learning to think like a nurse is the hardest.

Good luck, you can do it!

fuzzybuddyRN · Feb 11, 2010

Hello everyone! i love reading the threads. I recently passed my Hesi pre-nursing exam, it was 4.5 hrs long! i passed, thank God! I decided to go my college's nursing bldg and look around, i felt so overwhelmed. I've waited so long to start a program and now it's finally happening-i should start in Fall/August. I'm just thinking about all the sacrifice. I hear everybody talking about all the hours and burnout they experience while being in the program. I knew all of this when i first started going to college for nursing. I want to become a nurse but not at the expense of my family-i'm a little worried it will be too much for us. Is it normal to feel this way before starting after waiting for so long? Will it be different once i start? Is there a nurse or nursing student so organized, so physically fit, so optimistic and so determined to change lives on here that can share something encouraging about nursing school and nursing profession? or is it really about being burnt out? Thanks :redbeathe

I remember feeling like, "oh boy, what did I get myself into". Yeah, for sure, your feelings are sensible because although you have an idea of what it's like in nursing school, you're still about to traverse into the unknown. First of all, take your time to enjoy your big accomplishment of being able to get into nursing school. Do something with your family to celebrate and let them know the importance of being able to support each other through this new journey.

A few things that are crucial that helped me through nursing school in no particular order of importance: 1. Routine exercise 2. Special time during the week for husband/wife. 3. Special time with kids 4. Special place to study 5. Organization, Organization, Organzation 6. Study buddies/close friend classmate 7. Time for yourself during the week 8. Sleep 9. Balanced diet 10. Time for play. 11. Prioritize

Nursing school was tough but its definitely manageable. Lot's of info but as you go through the program you most likely will get better in studying and prioritizing information. Your qualities and and skills that made it possible for you to make it to nursing schools well see you through the program. Cry, yell, pull your hair out, but don't forget to enjoy the ride. :) Before you know it, it's over. Oh remember, you have an awesome opportunity to make a difference in people's lives, pretty awesome motivation

Cheers and wish you the best.

Oh, I graduated Dec 09, passed my NCLEX, interviewed for a job, i'll find out Monday if I get it.

Bubwa · Feb 11, 2010

Hi and Congrats!!!

I started nursing school in January and am in an accelerated program, and yes it is time consuming. I would even say that it is kinda hectic, and a helluva lot work, but totally worth it. I have also wondered how those with kids in my program do it, but they do, and do it well. In my humble opinion the things that yield great satisfaction in life aren't always "easy", but worth the hard work. I agree with my posting predasseser don't sweat it, especially till you get there, and once you get there you'll figure out what works for you. Best of luck.

jewelspassion · Feb 11, 2010

i hope i am replying right :) Thanks for the encouragement-seriously i feel better already, i have heard that thinking like a nurse is the hardest-critical thinking, so i have been told. Thank You for pushing me along xoxxo

jewelspassion · Feb 11, 2010

you're so right nothing great life comes easy. very, very true!! i guess that's what makes us different from others-our willingness to go against the odds in this hectic world huh? Thank You xoxo

jewelspassion · Feb 11, 2010

I remember feeling like, "oh boy, what did I get myself into". Yeah, for sure, your feelings are sensible because although you have an idea of what it's like in nursing school, you're still about to traverse into the unknown. First of all, take your time to enjoy your big accomplishment of being able to get into nursing school. Do something with your family to celebrate and let them know the importance of being able to support each other through this new journey.
A few things that are crucial that helped me through nursing school in no particular order of importance: 1. Routine exercise 2. Special time during the week for husband/wife. 3. Special time with kids 4. Special place to study 5. Organization, Organization, Organzation 6. Study buddies/close friend classmate 7. Time for yourself during the week 8. Sleep 9. Balanced diet 10. Time for play. 11. Prioritize
Nursing school was tough but its definitely manageable. Lot's of info but as you go through the program you most likely will get better in studying and prioritizing information. Your qualities and and skills that made it possible for you to make it to nursing schools well see you through the program. Cry, yell, pull your hair out, but don't forget to enjoy the ride. :) Before you know it, it's over. Oh remember, you have an awesome opportunity to make a difference in people's lives, pretty awesome motivation
Cheers and wish you the best.
Oh, I graduated Dec 09, passed my NCLEX, interviewed for a job, i'll find out Monday if I get it.

So excited for you! You just graduated, how rewarding. You guys are making me remember the fire behind wanting to become a nurse. I think i've sunk that down for quite a while waiting all this time. I will take what you have told me and use those suggestions. I know my orginizational skills will be put to the test. Thanks i pray you get your job! xoxxo jewels

nicoleRN831 · Feb 12, 2010

School can be very stressful, but its going to be worth it in the end. Just try and keep up with your reading and dont save everything for last minute. My semesters are 15 weeks long and when i start and feel like I'm getting over whelmed with school, family and cleaning i just remember that its only 15 weeks long and then i have time off to do the non important things

BruinAGNP · Feb 12, 2010

Congratulations!!

I applied this year for the admission in Fall 2010 but I'm so stressed out and nervous as to if i'd get in or not.. btw, which school did you guys get into/ or attending right now??

Rylee2008, ASN, RN · Feb 14, 2010

Congrats for being accepted. Listen to your heart and if you want this, you can do it. Yes, nursing school is hard but it can be done or there won't be any nurses. I'm graduating in May and I did this for my family. I did miss out on school events and other things, but I still found time for my family. Good luck.

dukesgal · Feb 14, 2010

First of all, congrats on your acceptance! You should be so proud of yourself, give yourself some time to pat yourself on the back for doing well on your HESI and your pre-reqs, then the real work begins! Yes, nursing school is tough. It can be frustrating, challenging and rewarding..some days all at the same time. You will have days where you come home crying, but then you will have days where one of your patients or an instructor tells you that you will be a great nurse.

I think the feelings you are experiencing are pretty commonplace. 2 years ago, I went through the same thing! And now I will be graduating in June! First excitement at acceptance and then the fear of the unknown sets in. What if I fail, what if I don't know my meds, what if, what if?

Your instructors are there to help you. They may not know it and you may have to swallow your pride and ask them, but they truly want you to succeed. You need to be motivated and determined to get through it despite the bad days, but if you are really, truly driven you can get through it! Always be prepared, have a stiff cup of coffee in hand and relax during those rare moments of downtime! Keep your head down, keep your eye on the prize and your time in nursing school will be over before you know it. Enjoy it and best of luck to you!!

Pigskin_RN,BSN · Feb 14, 2010

Hello everyone! i love reading the threads. I recently passed my Hesi pre-nursing exam, it was 4.5 hrs long! i passed, thank God! I decided to go my college's nursing bldg and look around, i felt so overwhelmed. I've waited so long to start a program and now it's finally happening-i should start in Fall/August. I'm just thinking about all the sacrifice. I hear everybody talking about all the hours and burnout they experience while being in the program. I knew all of this when i first started going to college for nursing. I want to become a nurse but not at the expense of my family-i'm a little worried it will be too much for us. Is it normal to feel this way before starting after waiting for so long? Will it be different once i start? Is there a nurse or nursing student so organized, so physically fit, so optimistic and so determined to change lives on here that can share something encouraging about nursing school and nursing profession? or is it really about being burnt out? Thanks :redbeathe

Congratulations on getting accepted!! :yeah:My advice is take one day at a time. Enjoy your great accomplishment and your time with your family until you actually start class. Nursing school is definitely a challenge but absolutely worth it!!!! There is an abundance of information to learn but I will graduate in Dec with my BSN and the time has flown by. I have many classmates with children, husbands/wives, and full-time jobs that are great students. You will find a way to manage all your responsibilities. When you start, be sure to make time for yourself and your family. When feeling frustrated or overwhelmed, get out for a walk or some exercise. Many others have made it through nursing school and you can absolutely make it too! You can always post here for some encouraging words!