After the first month of nursing school, does anyone feel lost???

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Hi All,

I'm in an accelerated BSN program for second degree students and we've just finished the first month. I'm getting a bit nervous because we're starting clinicals in about 2.5 weeks and I'm feeling like I don't know enough. Does anyone else feel like that?

We've been talking about making nursing diagnoises, ethics, and some things like skin and hair conditions. But I don't feel like I know enough to go into the field yet! Nursing diagnosis is hard because I don't know enough to cluster symptoms yet. I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for when I'm looking in someone's mouth for lesions... Will I get the education I need out in the field? I feel like ethics is something that may be able to wait until next semester. After I can take a blood pressure with confidence.

I talked to a prof about my feelings and she assured me that everyone feels like this and to just trust them about the program. This is the first time the program is being offered and I feel like we're guinea pigs for the school. Who's gone thru an accelerated BSN program as the first class?

Thanks for letting me vent. I'm just a bit nervous. Does anyone else feel like this? Suggestions for coping are much appreciated.

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Good Luck. Im sure you will do fine. Im starting an Accelerated Program in January. I will not be the first class though. Im scared and I havent even started yet. Im sure they know what they are doing and maybe everything will become clearer once you get in the field. Good luck to you again

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Specializes in ICU, Rehab, Peds.

Thanks for letting me vent. I'm just a bit nervous. Does anyone else feel like this? Suggestions for coping are much appreciated.

First take a deep breath and try to calm down. I know it seems scary but it will come together before you know it. If I can be a nurse, anyone that puts their mind to it can. LOL I will never forget my first day of clinicals. I was terrified I felt like I had no clue what I was doing. Well I got "lucky" and there weren't enough patients to go around so I got sent to endoscopy to observe procedures. Man!!! How about I ended up fainting after watching all the bile swimming around in the containers and on the TV screen. :chuckle Talk about being embarassed! LOL but the point is I got over it I pulled myself together and made it through. I also did an accelerated program and I came a LONG way in a mere 18 months. From fainting at the sight of bile to standing at the head of the OR table to watch open-heart surgery up close and personal. What you are feeling is not uncommon so do not feel alone. If this is what you want to do, you will make it and when you finish you will be so proud of yourself. Hang in there :)

Chermene, RN

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Specializes in L & D.

I'm a 38 year old, going to nursing school as a second career. I, too, felt terrified & unprepared when we went to the floor in the hospital (during our 3rd week). Our first assignment was to research our patient's history and then go in the next day to talk to the patient. The purpose was to practice our communication skills. I was assigned a sweet, talkitive old man who was just happy as a clam to have someone to talk to! Once I met him, all of my anxiety melted away....

Last week, we had to do a bed bath. Again, the anxiety I felt went away as soon as I met the patient. Even though she wasn't thrilled at first with the idea of getting a bed bath, she seemed to relax and actually commented on how much better she felt when she was cleaned up.

When you focus on the person rather than on the assigned task, you'll remember why you decided to become a nurse in the first place!!

Best of luck,

Beth

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Well, I'm not in a BSN program, but rather an ADN program but I still feel your pain :-)

Our 1st semester we had 10 weeks of classroom and 4 weeks of clinical and you think I would be ready for clinicals after 10 long weeks of class room work. I was scared to freaking death the first clinical, actually I was scared the entire 4 weeks. Then we were off the entire summer.

This semester I thought once again I was going to cry when we started clinicals - I couldn't remember how to do a head to toe assessment let alone actually give meds!!! However, I've made it now through several clinicals, each one I feel a bit more confident and sure of myself. Each one I learn something new. For me clinicals put all that classroom work into real life work - and that's when I really learn.

You'll be fine and soon you'll be buzzing around clinicals like you've been there for months....

Good luck!!!

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