Starting nursing school in the Spring. REALLY nervous. TIPS??

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THe school I am going to has very high expectations, as they have had a 100% NCLEX pass rate for many years. I know several people personally who have failed out, and who have told me that the school weeds out those who they dont think will keep their 100% NCLEX rate.

Ive been a CNA for years, and I AM an A average student (but the A's don't come easy, I bust my butt for them). I DID feel like I would be OK in nursing school, but everything I hear from others about this program is scaring me and making me sooooo nervous!!! Ive also heard the instructors are not very nice, and again form multiple people (and current nursing students) that the clinical instructor has made girls cry at the hospitals many times in front of staff, families, etc. I even read this on ratemyprofessor.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get off to a good start, and on a good side of the teachers?? I am so nervous already.

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Specializes in Critical Care at Level 1 trauma center.

It sounds like you have a lot of drive... Don't listen to what other people say about how horrible things are. It is definitely tough but if you study hard and try your best in clinical you should be fine. Biggest tip I could give you about school is don't procrastinate and when you are in clinical ASK QUESTIONS AND BE INVOLVED! If you show a genuine interest in nursing most professors will respect you and want you to succeed.

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I do have a very genuine interest in nursing. Ever since I became a Cna I knew for sure I wanted to be a nurse; I love the field. I have to say though I've been lurking around here for a while and have seen a few nursing students post about failing out, some for what seem stupid reasons to me, and those threads have made me even more nervous!!!

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First off, this is your journey and this school is only supposed to supply a path, so if you feel ready then you probably are. Be confident, be excited, and use what you already know as a CNA to propel you. I was always very scared of instructors that were "mean", but sometimes they have to be because we are grown ups and we chose to do this and honestly, they don't have a ton of time to teach you everything and stroke your ego.

One trick I learned in school is to volunteer answers that you know when the teacher asks so they're not calling on you when you don't. If you really don't know, look like you're really thinking about it and when others answer pay attention and react, at least you'll look engaged and thats what instructors want to see!!

Keep up the postive momentum and let that carry you, and post tons of questions here!

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This might sound stupid...but another thing I am pretty worried about is that I do have a lot of tattoos... small ones on my wrists, and half sleeves (for work I always wear a 3/4 long sleeve tee under my scrubs that ends at my elbows so they are not visible) and on my neck, but I can wear my pony tail low so that will cover that up. I know you probably have to wear a watch so that will cover up one of my wrists. I am just really hoping I wont be judged by my teachers for being inked too... :unsure:

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Have they already accepted you in the program and seen the tattoos? They do get pretty strict about hair (always had to be up and back), make up (minimal and neutral), and nailpolish ( none or clear unchipped). But I think you should continue to cover them up. Problem may lie with getting a job but who knows, some people are progressive these days...

You are going to worry yourself right out of the program...stop thinking about the bad and go in and show them your best, make them love you.

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Yes I know I am worrying too much :( I am accepted and no they have not seen the tattoos. In orientation next month when they talk about scrubs ill ask if its ok to wear 3/4 sleeves under my scrubs. I found a creme for tattoo cover up that I will get and use on my wrists from the beginning. I don't wear make up and will have no problems with my nails being unpainted. Luckily my job has already told me if I stay part time I will have an rn job with them when I graduate (they know I have tattoos but I wear long sleeves always).

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Don't worry about the tattoos. There are 6 people in my class that are fully sleeved. They have to wear long sleeved scrub tops over their regular scrub tops. We are not allowed to wear shirts under scrubs.

Some teachers are Very judgmental! Just don't tell anyone you have them, say you get cold easily, and wear sleeves. They are so easy to cover there is no reason for people to know if you don't want them to.

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Thanks. Good idea. I don't want anyone knowing, like you said I'm sure some teachers are very judgemental. I will cover up from the beginning.

And are you talking about the scrub coat things? I just read on our schools nursing website the dress policy. It says we are allowed to wear a scrub coat or white turtleneck so I will probably do one of those.

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I am just ending my first semester ...whew!!! what a journey already and it has just begun ... 1 down/3 to go! :)

My first advice is... read/read/read and read some more - stay on top of your assignments. Make time for yourself and your family, but stay on top of your work. You'll be glad you did. If you get behind, it would be almost impossible to play catch up. At first, it will seem like you have entered another world and it will be CRAZY. Just remain flexible and go with the flow. Keep positive. I was an A student in all my support classes - 4.0 - but it is a whole new type of learning/test taking in nursing school. I got an A in clinical and an A in skills, but i still have my HESI/ATI and 4th test for lecture and I will more than likely get a B. I have learned to embrace those Bs !!! :) :) My point is, don't beat yourself up over a B just because you always had As in the past. It is important to learn the content/concepts, but it also important to learn how to apply them to your clinical setting. Don't worry so much about making an A - focus on truly learning the material and the grades will come.

Teachers - I had a tough one for clinical but I loved her. I always showed her respect. I listened to everything she said, made notes and stayed on top of what she expected from me. She and I never had a problem. I will miss her. She is known for being VERY VERY tough but I think she has given me a solid foundation to go forward in my nursing school journey. So I wouldn't necessarily worry about what you have heard from other people - save your judgements for yourself and have your own opinion of your teachers/instructors.

Trust me when I say you will have plenty of anxiety and stress once you have started - enjoy your last few weeks of normal life now :) :) (is there a true normal? LOL). If you work hard, respect your teachers and your fellow students, be a team player, be organized in your study - you'll do much better than you thought. Good luck. :)

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First of all, Congrats on getting into nursing school!!!! Wow, You have earned this spot and

yes... it will be hard work, but You can do it!

Time will fly by and yes you will have some tough teachers, but hey, why not? 100% pass

rate! Yah! Wow, that sounds like the perfect teaching nursing program to me... Just expect

it to be tough and be up for the challenge, right? You have come this far, don't back out

now... HA! Your fear is what will push you through till the end! Go for it my dear, and do it

well!!!

Many blessings to you~ Keep us posted future nurse...

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I think at the end of the day, you can do anything you put your mind to. Don;t be afraid to have questions and experiment until you find the perfect study methods for yourself. When i was in law school, it took me three terms to find the best study methods, and that was how I able to pass the bar on my first round. You're going to do fine! And I know several nurses with tattoos, and I think you'll be fine, there as well. I knew a guy in law school who had tattoos all over his face, and no one said anything to him. Well, okay, he also looked like he could lift a tree up and beat you with it, and that may have had more to do with no one saying anything...

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