Most terrifying thing?

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What was the most terrifying part of being a nursing student? I've imagined thousands of scenarios of where something could go wrong in nursing school as a student: failing an exam, not getting along with other students, having my instructor think I'm a complete idiot, etc. I will hopefully be starting nursing school in the fall, and I would find so much comfort if you guys could give some of your input as to what your biggest fears in nursing school were. :)

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Nothing terrifying for me; I went into nursing school open to studying hard...that is all...

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

The skill checkoffs are the worst the first time. But, once you get familiar with the process, it isn't so bad and nothing will ever seem as scary as that first checkoff. Everything else is cake.

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Specializes in ED.

Exams always scared the pants off of me. That and skills check offs. Those weren't hard and I never failed one but the anxiety about killed me. Clinicals never bothered me. There were always people around me willing to help and answer questions.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I would never classify nursing school as terrifying. Difficult? Sure. Frustrating? Absolutely. Anxiety-inducing? Sometimes :)

I think the hardest part was learning to "think like a nurse". It's a very foreign concept and no one can really "explain" it to you. It's something you have to learn to do.

Skills check-offs can cause some anxiety, especially when breaking sterile technique can cause you to fail and have to remediate.

In our program, we're required to pass a med math exam every semester with a 90% or better or we fail out of the program. That means even if we have multiple classes in a semester, we take a med math exam in each one of them. The math itself isn't difficult. It's just the pressure of "get a 90 or you FAIL!!" that causes so much anxiety for all of us.

Just keep yourself organized, stay on top of your reading and do lots of practice NCLEX-style questions.

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Great post!!

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In out school every week was like finals week. We usually had exams every Tuesday and Friday. It was just nerve racking to know that your whole career depends on these tests. We could only make 2 D's and then you were dropped from the program. And a D is a 76. I wouldn't say it's terrifying but it is definitely nerve racking for sure. Also, in our skills check offs you had 3 attempts and if you got it wrong on the 3rd time you were out. Nursing school is not easy and definitely shouldn't be.... The only thing that really sucked was the anxiety and waiting for grades to post. I hate the feeling of "not knowing" if your going to make it to the next week. thank God I passed my first semester with two B's. Just work really hard and study and do the best you can and it will make nursing school less "terrifying".

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It's only terrifying if you make it that way. It definitely will seem terrifying and you'll be scared, but as long as you are prepared, open-minded, and hardworking, it will certainly be far from terrifying. I'm not saying it won't be hard and seem impossible, but your confidence will grow throughout.

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I was worried that I might kill a patient. That was the worst possible scenario in my mind. What put me at ease what the realization that I am a student and it's ok if I don't know something. Also, they don't usually give students super critical patients or put us in situations that we can't handle. What's most important in my opinion is that you not be afraid to ask for help. Also, learn strong assessment skills so that you know when something is wrong and know how to get help if you need it. Study hard, study like someone's life depends on you, and believe in yourself. Good luck!

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Listen to yourselves-- "freaked out"-- "terrified" -- "super anxious" -- "incredibly scared" !!

Some advice. You will learn in school that you never tell a patient not to be scared (or in any way deny his/her feelings) because, well, all people are entitled to their feelings. So I won't tell you not to feel the way you do.

I WILL tell you that there's nothing ahead of you that hasn't been done by many thousands of people before you. I will tell you that despite what you think, nursing faculty really are interested in seeing that you learn to be a nurse, and learn it well. They will help you if you ask...but you have to ask, it's part of being a grown-up professional, and you'll learn that in school too even if it's not in the formal syllabus.

I will also say that a little anxiety is a good thing. It makes your eyes focus more clearly, it jolts your liver to dump a lot of good sugars into your bloodstream to feed your brain and muscles a little extra...all useful and functional responses to stress. However, being panicky is not functional.

You are in charge of your brain. You can tell it to shut the heck up when it starts getting you revved up. Tell yourself you are ready for this challenge, lots of people have done it before you, and by god, you're good looking and people like you. :) BANISH those words at the top of the page. Never let them leave your lips or your fingertips again. You can train your brain to be better at this, and that's how you start. It will feel better and work better for you. :)

Have fun!

:flwrhrts: :flwrhrts: :flwrhrts: :flwrhrts: :flwrhrts: :flwrhrts: :flwrhrts:

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There really isn't anything terrifying about nursing school. I think we've talked up how difficult nursing school is so much that people are nervous about starting. Yes, you will have to study more than you are used to, but nursing school is difficult, awesome, and amazing. You will see a huge difference in the way you think over the course of a year. At the end of the year, you'll be closer to your goal, and you will start thinking like a nurse, you'll start to question and analyze things, and you'll find that you are quite capable of this.

Don't be worried. Nursing school will be what you make it out to be, so go in there with a confident attitude and be prepared to watch yourself change.

Terrifying? Nah.

THANK YOU!! I have the same fears and your reply was great to read!

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Select All That Apply questions. Now THOSE are terrifying;)

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Select All That Apply questions. Now THOSE are terrifying;)

We can help with that, too. ;)

"Why you don't need to fear SATA questions."

https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/why-you-dont-902671.html

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