How Are You Easing Your First Day Jitters?

[augurey]

A month ago, I wasn't nervous. I was pretty much just excited. The reality of nursing school didn't start to sink in until I had put in my notice at work, but still, my first day still felt so long away.

My last day of work was 2 days ago. I've given myself 2 days to veg out, get our house and affairs in order. We're going to be poor. It's going to be very hard. This is the only way for us to do this. Next week my daughter will be home from daycare with me. We'll spend my last free week trying to get into a routine.

Now that I'm officially unemployed, I'm terrified. The reality of it all has sunk in finally. I'm a nursing student. Our lives are forever changed from this point on whether I become a nurse or I fail out.

I've read through numerous threads about how hard classes are, how tough clinicals can be, putting in IVs, blowing veins, writing up care plans, etc. As I read, I could feel the blood drain from my face. Self doubt became stronger and more uncontrollable. I've gone to my husband numerous times already and have asked him how I'm going to do this and that I'm going to fail out.

He (kindly) reminds me all the time that I will learn. This is what I'm going to school for. All of my classmates are right there with me, learning with me. I just have to be sure to study hard.

I've since decided that I have control over this. I want this, so I'm going to make this happen. I've realized just how powerful the mind is, how powerful fear is. Fear has the capability to hold us back. Fear has been holding me back for nearly 30 years now. I'm tired of letting fear control my life. I want to reclaim my life and be the person I want to be and the person who I feel I really am.

I have another obstacle to get through though: shyness. During my interview with the director of nursing, I was asked what my weakness was: shyness. I don't feel shyness is necessarily a weakness in general, but in the nursing program, this is my weakness. It's held me back so many times in my life. I've missed out on life because of it.

Now, every opportunity I get, I work to overcome shyness. On my last day of work, I was called into the kitchen where I found all of my coworkers waiting for me. My face turned beat red. I could feel my insides churning. Then I thought, "You're going to be a nurse. Buck up." Suddenly, the way I felt changed. Parts of me were still trembling, but my face no longer glowed a fierce red. I had more confidence. Why shouldn't I?

I'm done sweating the small stuff. I'm done worrying about things that I don't have control over. I'm done worrying about the unknown.

I think back to when I took my TEAS at the beginning of July. I read thread after thread about how hard the TEAS were. I've been out of school for 10 years with less than 2 weeks to study. When I was worried or consumed in self doubt, I was absolutely useless. Once I accepted it is what it is, everything fell into place.

I've realized that confidence and a positive attitude go a long way. I'm now looking ahead to my first day with confidence and excitement.

[momofallboys]

Your post is just what I needed to read. I am currently enrolling in my pre reqs for spring and I too will need to leave my full time job to go into the RN program and have not been in school for about 10 years other than a certificate program at a local business college and have the same fears of not being smart enough to pass and being left jobless in the end an more in debt than ever. I sure hope I find myself as confident as you and am able to get past my fear of failure and rejection.

[dorkypanda]

Hi augurey,

Are you in the associates degree program?

[norlns24]

OP: My take? You absolutely WILL NOT FAIL OUT! The fact that you are thinking about all of these things and having concern is to your benefit. I'm in my third semester of a BSN program. We started with 100 students; we are now down to about 65. The reason, in EVERY case, for students dropping out (edit: being kicked out, which has mostly been the case) was lack of responsibility, not being organized, and not putting in the required time on homework. Many were dropped because they just showed up late or did not have required supplies (stethoscope, watch, name badge) in sim/ clinical AFTER being warned NUMEROUS times to have these items and be on time. You do not strike me as the type who will be late, shirk responsibility, skip assignments in favor of a sorority barbeque, etc.

The attitude and concern conveyed in your post proves this. You will totally be fine and I predict do quite well in nursing school. Just breathe (cliche, I know) and get organized and just put in time every day...read every day, keep up on assignments and prioritize. The latter is key. You probably will not have time to do all the assigned readings...many nursing students do not. That's just a reality. The key is to figure out which classes are the tougher/ more important ones. Foundations/ fundamentals and pathophysiology (2 courses often offered in the first semester) are 2 classes you do not want to be skimpy on the readings...the material in these classes are foundational and the content will come up again and again in later classes/ semesters. Prioritize and put in the time and stay organized and you will do great.

[Ihearthearts]

I am 37, have three school-age children, and have worked on and off the whole time I've been a student. If I can do it (with straight As all the way through- graduating in Dec.) you can too! But you do, as someone else said, seriously need to chill. If you are this stressed about school, you may seriously want to consider another profession. I landed an amazing summer internship in a cath lab this summer, which has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life, but the stress and anxiety in the beginning was no joke. I know for a fact there is no way I would have survived if I'd had the kind of anxiety you're talking about just related to starting school. Nursing is one of the most stressful, anxiety provoking jobs there is. For your own quality of life, I would encourage you to take a good long look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are really cut out for and want that kind of stress in you life on a daily basis. And read lots more of the threads on here. Many nurses say the anxiety, sleeplessness, stress and worry lasts for years after they start working. I should add that to deal with stress I get to the hospital early with my coffee. I pull into a spot on the top floor of the garage backwards (there is a beautiful view) spread my favorite mexican blanket on my tailgate and listen to music, stretch, and do a lot of positive self talk and some stretching. Basically I "center before I enter" and this act has the power to change my day tremendously. Find something similar that works for you. Make yourself a mantra, whatevs. Good luck!!!

[ohgirn1]

First, I need to wish you luck, I am sure you will do great!

I started nursing school when I was almost 40, and I had only myself to depend on, so I had no choice but to work while going to school. My advisor told me that I needed to get my priorities in order, that I needed to make school my priority, and that I should not work while in school. Sounds silly to play it back today. I was able to find employment that worked with my class and clinical schedules. I worked nights, often going straight from work to class; but was often able to study during work. It wasn't always easy, but when I was awarded the Clinical Excellence award at graduation by that same advisor, I felt, and still feel extremely proud.

My point is that you will get a lot of advice, some good, some not so much. Figure out what works for you and your family. There is no plan that works perfectly for all of us.

[blessedNhopeful]

I feel like we're the same person reading this. I have the same weakness. Shyness. It has caused me to miss out on alot as well and I have the same fears and yet I haven't even started a program yet. Being out of school for so long and then coming back to finish pre reqs and feeling *GASP* old compared to the other students that are 10 years younger than me. :) Thank you for writing this. I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way and there are more that are going through the same struggles of life (being a mom and wife).