Getting anxiety!!

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Hello everyone. I am getting ready to start my first semester in January. After going to orientation and hearing that ns is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done, and reading posts on hear about how much people have to study I am starting to get some real anxiety over starting school. I am starting to doubt if I can do this...if any one has any words of encouragement I would greatly appreciate it. I have always wanted to be a nurse and really want to succeed.

Well, one way of thinking that I have always tried to keep in my thoughts is this. . .if thousands and thousands of others were able to go through nursing school successfully, then what's so different about me that I can't do the same? I got to thinking that what was so incredibly odd about me that I couldn't do it. So, think on that for a bit before developing all the anxiety about the books, uniforms and studying involved. Others managed to get through it all. Why can't you?

I always enjoy reading your posts Daytonite. You are so positive it makes it seem like anything is possible. Thank you for helping me to put things into prespective.

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Chantilly,

Just remember you are not the only one going through this. If I can make a career change after 20 years of being out of school I'm sure you will do fine. I start in January also Wee Hee

Congrats on getting into school!!! :D Good luck!!! That is very brave of you to switch careers after so many years.

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I feel the exact same way!!! I am going to give it my best shot, but I worry like crazy where I'll be if I dont succeed. :(

I guess that we can worry together :lol2: But I am sure you will do just fine. Good luck, you will have to keep us posted on how it goes

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Specializes in geriatric, hospice, med/surg.

There it is in black and white...you answered your own question! In your post you mentioned it's something you really want to achieve. You've always wanted to be a nurse. Now you have a chance. Many others apply to nursing school and never get that chance. Here's my advice. Take just one day at a time. It can be overwhelming if you let it be. If one day at a time is STILL too much to bite off then take an hour at a time. You CAN do this! It is very much worth the extreme effort it takes to make it through. If you have difficulty with a particular subject, get tutoring. Some colleges provide a tutor for little or no charge. I recognized deficits in my studies early on and got tutoring for things I couldn't understand on my own. Just recognizing your own weaknesses is a strength, believe me! I would never have passed with good enough grades if I had not gotten that extra assistance from wisened, older nursing students!

Do not be afraid to ask for help if you do not understand something. No matter how small that thing seems and no matter how silly you feel asking for help. You are a student. You are not expected to know everything even by the end of the program and on graduation day. You have only just scratched the surface of knowledge by then. Learning in nursing is an every day occurence with on the job learning, each and every day.

You'll get there. Good luck!

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[quote=amyk_ncsu;1966027 I worry like crazy where I'll be if I dont succeed. :(

if you don't succeed, you will be at the place where you are 24 years old, have lots of medical knowledge, and just need to pick another direction to go...change is inevitable and change of plans is one of those changes. You will not be the first person on this planet who had to change their plans...

life is what happens when you are making other plans...

so you can let that worry go, too.

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I am 50, with no medical background (unless a terminology course 15 years ago counts?)....I have 2 older kids at home, a 5-year-old granddaughter who lives with us, a less-than-stellar marriage (meaning "non-helpmate"), and just finished my first semester with a "B".

Has it been a piece of cake? No...I lost 8 lbs. the first 2 weeks just stressing about what was coming up and if I could do it....

Was it horrible, awful, the worst thing I have ever been through? lolol....no....it was frustrating at times; I've had lots of periods of doubt (and probably will going through the whole program); and I've had lots of highs....did I have a life outside of school? Yeah, I took a weekend trip with friends; have done some other socialization with friends and family; my house is not a complete sty (but close); and my sanity is mostly intact.....

Do I feel like I'm the most competent first-semester student ever? He!! no....there are many concepts I'm still working to grasp; many skills I feel nowhere near ready to EVER do on my own; but I gave injections and never blinked an eye even after having the eebie jeebies watching the videos before checkoffs....I learned how to work on a more physical basis with people after working with computers for 6 years, and I am actually sort of still looking forward to second semester and learning more!! And apparently some of my issues are shared by many other students....

My best piece of advice, if you really, really want this, is to stay on top of your studies and try to relax and just do the best you can as you go along....the tests come fast and furious at times and you will need to retain this knowledge unlike some of your previous education....grab every opportunity that comes your way, and make a couple of friends in school if you can to help you commiserate!! And make some time for yourself and your husband -- it CAN be done!! Sixteen weeks goes VERY quickly!! You will find yourself shaking your head and walking around wondering what to do with yourself without a deadline looming before you know it, lol....

I agree with Daytonite's post....there were several of us from the beginning who took the stance that they were going to have to drag us out of there kicking and screaming....that philosophy helped a LOT on those down days!!

Best wishes!!

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Don't sweat it! We'll hold your hand :)

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Don't sweat it! We'll hold your hand :)

I am probably going to need that...lol. It makes me feel more at ease knowing how great everyone is hear and willing they are to help where they can...and the advice is sooo wonderful.

I want to thank everyone that has replied to this post...my anxiety level has dramatically dropped after reading everything you all have had to say. :nuke:

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We are both in the same situation. I start nursing school myself in January. It can get very rough and whatnot wondering what its going to be like and whats expected of us. Just do what I keep telling myself...take a break...relax and everything will be ok. Just enjoy the time that you do have off from school now

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