Scared to DEATH!!!

Mkue · Nov 5, 2002

Hi, Don't be too nervous. You will probably start with the very Fundamentals of nursing and your courses will build upon what you learn. You will probably practice in class before you actually do procedures in clinical.

Try to boost self-confidence by repeating everyday, "I can do this", it works !

Good Luck:)

Marie:)

TeresaRN2b · Nov 5, 2002

Yes, try not to worry too much. You will start with simple things like patient hygeine and making beds and work your way up. You will have someone there with you when you go to give meds for the first time. They won't let you kill anyone. You'll do fine.

Teresa

CarolineRn · Nov 5, 2002

NurseChic, If you have the determination you say you have, you will excell.

I want you to know that the second guessing of yourself needs to STOP. Nursing tests are multiple choice, just like the NCLEX, and two of the questions will be no brainer throw-aways. Two will be really hard. GO with your first choice. do NOT second guess. I cannot tell you how many questions I missed due to second guessing. I was almost finished with level three of a four level course. When I stopped second guessing, I made B's. I was a 4.0 student prior to nursing school. After easy first semester of nursing school, that flies out the window. Remember, the C students who take the NCLEX have the same test and the same chance as the A's. Spend your time in nursing school focusing on patient skills. Nursing science is a must also, and also very cool. BUt there may be 20-48 page chapters to read in a three week period and you may not get to all of it. I repeat, focus on your patient skills. Like someone else here posted: For your tests, you only need to get 80% right to be a B student. Don't sweat the small stuff. I won't lie to you, nursing school is like boot camp. You will probably hate it.

They won't let you give any med that will kill someone without first checking off with your instructor. She/he will be your safety net while in school. Utilize them. Ask Questions. Seek learning opportunities. They will love you for it, and they won't let you fail. If you're ever in doubt, ASK. You won't be failed if you show caution.

You say you have a strong faith in God. Hold tight to that faith. But remember, YOU are the one in charge here. God will allow you to make mistakes, as your heart may belong to him, but your mind belongs to you. Do NOT go into nursing with any kind of "blind faith" that God will see you through. I prayed and prayed to him on more than one occasion and the only lesson I got from him was that I was weak and allowed myself to be branded a loser who let down my family. Thankful, should I be? I suppose. Am I? NO. Do I still love and trust God? You betchya. Some lessons he has to teach aren't the ones we think we deserve. Will I have blind faith again? Nope. I know that wasn't his intention, but he and I will work that out someday. He has given my and my family health, and happiness. I love him and thank him for that. That is, after all the ultimate gift. But he has taught me (much as I hate it) that I MUST rely on myself. He gave me the brain. I must use it. IT all comes down to me.

You have a support net, a family and BF. Oh how you need them now! Use them whenever they are willing to let you. You will need all your spare time to study.

Good luck to you, sweetie! I bet you'll do just fine!

MidwifeWannaB · Nov 5, 2002

Thank you all so much! My boyfriend went through a year of nursing school and said that if he could do it, so can I because I'm so much smarter than him. (His words, not mine. Although I DO believe him. :b ) Y'alls words make me feel so much better. Again, thank y'all!!!

MelH · Nov 5, 2002

Second guessing yourself isn't bad, in fact, I think it's good if you think about something twice or even three times before you do something!! You will do fine. Just read and if you have any questions or if you DO second gues yourself ASK your instructor or your nurse you are working with. That is great you want to graduate at the top of your class but just in case you don't remember A=RN, B=RN, and C=RN!! Keep your head up if you don't get the grades you like! You'll do it if you are determined! Good luck to you starting out and in all your future endeavors!

MidwifeWannaB · Nov 6, 2002

Thanks, Mel. I especially like the A=RN....etc. Helps me keep things in perspective.

By the way, I hope to be class of 2004, also!

oilerfan · Nov 6, 2002

Eh, for what it's worth, I was, still very much am, a nervous wreck with every new skill that I do on an actual person (not so much the cadavers). I am in my 4th year and still manage to grow red in the face while my heart is pounding through my chest and have my mental capacity drop to the level of an amoeba...but if you, like me, do something a couple times it becomes very comfortable...the first time i had to cath someone i thought i would faint...just needed a drink after class. It is supposed to get easier...eh, and this whole finishing at the top of class thing? those of us in the invisible middle ground of mediocrity land don't need to hear that smack!

good luck.

oilerfan · Nov 7, 2002

Hi nursechic81, I am really new to this site but I could use some advice if you have the time. I am freezing my but off up here in Canada but am looking to relocate after graduation in the fall, I am in my fourth and final year of my BScN. We have had some recruiters up at our university and they all have very interesting "salespeople" from Texas who blow sunshine up our naive, albeit frozen, orifices. The amount of knowledge I have about Texas could not fill a shot glass...what is Austin like? Of course Dallas has the Stars hockey team, which is a selling point since the Edmonton Oilers suck so bad this season but for me Texas has always been the Alberta of the south, oil, cattle, farming and we do not really conform to any federal policy if we don't want to. Plus that "Y'all" thing you guys do is cute...anyway, is Texas worth moving 7,000 kilometres to?

dstudent · Nov 7, 2002

DUDE GO HARD!!!!!!!!

emily_mom · Nov 7, 2002

You always practice before you do, and the clinical instructor will be there every step of the way. You won't kill anyone!!!! I have faith in you! You can empty my bedpan anyday...

MidwifeWannaB · Nov 7, 2002

oilerfan,

I may be biased since I've never lived anywhere but Texas, but I LOVE Texas! I would never live anywhere else. And the thing that so many people don't realize is that Texas (because it's so massive) has everything! And, by the way, I want to move to Austin after I graduate and get married, so I highly recommend it. I would have to get used to the humidity, but that wouldn't be a problem for you--you'll have to adjust to the heat (which is intense, I'll just warn you). Austin is an awesome city, albeit a tad liberal for me. :)

Just one suggestion: Don't think that we ride horses to school or all wear western clothes. I, personally, have NEVER worn them. We don't like to be stereotyped (Hollywood does plenty of it), so just remember that and you'll be good and peachy!

Let me know what you decide. If you do come here, you'll be making a wise decision. :)