Scared To Start Nursing School

Nursing Students Student Assist

Published

Hello...I will be starting my first semester of nursing school in August. While I'm THRILLED and ready to jump in with both feet, I'm scared to death! I think I'm scared of the "unknown" as it's different than other majors. Has anyone else dealt with this fear and how did you handle it? :chair:

Thank you!!!

I just saw this video on youtube.. I don't know these people but it was fun to watch and showed a lighter, fun side of nursing school. I start in August too and like you am scared!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CJU9aEzx3GI&mode=related&search=

It was nice to see all those smiling faces.

I just about fell over, though, when I saw the students lunch in the nursing laboratory. Whoa!! We would be CRUCIFIED if we did that. I don't think we're even allowed to bring water in the lab. Holding onto the dummies? Death at first light. We have to treat that room as a hospital situation.

I loved the idea of renting those giant slides on what looks like the school grounds. Looked like tons of fun. I was able to go to a big amusement park right after school let out this May, and I rode roller coasters. What a great release!

Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

I think a little bit of fear is good, makes you study hard :) Good luck!

I am also starting a nursing program this comming Tuesday. My first day of class is from 8am to 10pm! I'm excited and scared, worried about all of the studying with a 2 and 3 year old in the house and working weekends.

Good luck everyone!

Well, I survived orientation. It started out with a bang!!! That lasted until about 10:30. We had to all go and buy our books at the bookstore. It was raining like crazy, and my books would not all fit in my bag. We had to go back at 1:00 for testing. I have been reading since I got home, but it is really interesting.

I think it will really be ok.

Specializes in Neuro.

Hey TexasAngel,

Glad it went well! Hope that you didn't have to paddle out to your car!!:lol2: It has been raining here also, but not near as much as other places, like Dallas. Last I heard, they had like 10+ inches?!? I can't complain though, since last year was SO DRY.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that orientation went well. I'm still jealous that you got to start so soon!!!

Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going~

Hey TexasAngel,

Glad it went well! Hope that you didn't have to paddle out to your car!!:lol2: It has been raining here also, but not near as much as other places, like Dallas. Last I heard, they had like 10+ inches?!? I can't complain though, since last year was SO DRY.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that orientation went well. I'm still jealous that you got to start so soon!!!

Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going~

Truth be known, I wish I had had more time to focus on certain things before I got strarted. We are having a drug calculation test today and to be real honest, I just hope I grasp it all when it is explained today. When I took Pharmacology, it was a 4 week summer semester, so we didnt have time to to over any of that. This will be my first exposure to it. I must admit, I am a little more nervous today than I was yesterday, but maybe it will be ok. I will just try to think positively.

I start nursing school next week!! I am doing an LPN/LVN program first, then 3 months off, and right into the RN program. No rest for the weary! I am nervous only because I had been in nursing school before, and I almost panic'ed the other night remember the old battle axe type nurses who would be at the hospital and you would be assigned to one for your clinical round, and if they did not make your life miserable, then they considered it a failure on their part. They felt as if "if they had to do it, they you did" right of passage thing. Hopefully since that was in 94,and they were all 90 years old then, haha and in IL, perhaps they are all dead now and we will have younger ones teaching us?? I just remember the "fear of God" feeling they put in all of us, and one poor girl peed her pants the first day when she found out she had this one mentor.

Ah, fond memories, and here I go, glutton for punishment again!! I am just praying it won't be that bad. That was an old time Catholic hospital and all the nuns were nurses, and brought back memories of piano lessons where the teacher would rap your knuckles with the ruler...anyone have her?? HAHA

I am nervous, and much older now than I was in 94, so I just pray for God to give me the strength for the next 2.5 years!

It will be hard, but fun, and at times we will feel like quitting, but we won't! I had to quit last time because we moved out of the country...hubby was in Air Force, so this time I will finish!

:)

Good luck to you, and remember that which does not kill us, makes us stronger!

:)

Deb

I just saw this video on youtube.. I don't know these people but it was fun to watch and showed a lighter, fun side of nursing school. I start in August too and like you am scared!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CJU9aEzx3GI&mode=related&search=

Wonder what school that was? Looked like they were ready for graduation!

:)

Made me smile too

I am also starting a nursing program this comming Tuesday. My first day of class is from 8am to 10pm! I'm excited and scared, worried about all of the studying with a 2 and 3 year old in the house and working weekends.

Good luck everyone!

YOWZA!! 8am to 10pm?? WHAT THE HECK KINDA SCHOOL IS THAT?? FINISH IN 6 MONTHS OR LESS?? LOL

Get some sleep sometime please!! :)

Strive for the best possible grades BUT also remember Nursing school is much different than other college courses/degrees you may have taken. Many people who are 4.0 for pre-reqs or a previous degree see their grades slide some. (I personally had this happen as did many many of my friends). Don't kill yourself over grades a bit lower than you are use to but always try to do your best!

Learn TIME MANAGEMENT ASAP! Without it you will never succeed.

If family asks what they can do to help, give them something to do! Test you on a chapter, check their vitals, have them make dinner, do the dishes, wash clothes, give the kids a bath etc. I never use to ask for or take any help from my family. I was able to do it alone. Now if my hubby asks me what he can do, he gets a list to choose from :lol2:

Do NOT fall behind. Always be on target or ahead..never behind. If you fall behind its difficult to catch up!

On days you have "nothing" to do, or nothing you have to hand in the next day, grab your syllabus and see what chapters you will be doing next, READ it, do the workbook if you have one, practice the upcoming skills if possible. Or just review material for upcoming tests. I am never idle. I am always doing something in regards to school. Thats not to say you can not take a break, but don't be taking a break all the time. (does that make sense the way I said it?)

Realize that there are going to be many many personalities in your class. Some you click with, some you don't. Do not fall into the "gossip mill", avoid all drama at all costs, if you fall into it, it only drags you down. Remember that you have to deal with these people for quite some time and its always better to be on good terms with someone than bad.

Do not worry about or try to compete with others grades. YOUR scores are the only ones that pertain to YOUR license! Compete with yourself!

ASK FOR HELP WHEN you realize you need it, not when its too late!

And lastly, remember to laugh and try to have some fun!

Best of luck! Its a long, winding, rocky road. But you can travel it and get to your final destination...sitting for the NCLEX and PASSING!

Strive for the best possible grades BUT also remember Nursing school is much different than other college courses/degrees you may have taken. Many people who are 4.0 for pre-reqs or a previous degree see their grades slide some. (I personally had this happen as did many many of my friends). Don't kill yourself over grades a bit lower than you are use to but always try to do your best!

Learn TIME MANAGEMENT ASAP! Without it you will never succeed.

If family asks what they can do to help, give them something to do! Test you on a chapter, check their vitals, have them make dinner, do the dishes, wash clothes, give the kids a bath etc. I never use to ask for or take any help from my family. I was able to do it alone. Now if my hubby asks me what he can do, he gets a list to choose from :lol2:

Do NOT fall behind. Always be on target or ahead..never behind. If you fall behind its difficult to catch up!

On days you have "nothing" to do, or nothing you have to hand in the next day, grab your syllabus and see what chapters you will be doing next, READ it, do the workbook if you have one, practice the upcoming skills if possible. Or just review material for upcoming tests. I am never idle. I am always doing something in regards to school. Thats not to say you can not take a break, but don't be taking a break all the time. (does that make sense the way I said it?)

Realize that there are going to be many many personalities in your class. Some you click with, some you don't. Do not fall into the "gossip mill", avoid all drama at all costs, if you fall into it, it only drags you down. Remember that you have to deal with these people for quite some time and its always better to be on good terms with someone than bad.

Do not worry about or try to compete with others grades. YOUR scores are the only ones that pertain to YOUR license! Compete with yourself!

ASK FOR HELP WHEN you realize you need it, not when its too late!

And lastly, remember to laugh and try to have some fun!

Best of luck! Its a long, winding, rocky road. But you can travel it and get to your final destination...sitting for the NCLEX and PASSING!

yours is probably the best post for what to do/not to do that I have read, thanks! I will apply many of them, and esp. the part about not getting involved with classroom drama!! Just do your part, be nice, and go home and leave the rest at the door!! Who wants to get on bad terms with someone they have to spend an entire 2.5 years with non stop!!

:)

Thanks! God will carry me, and I promise to walk the rest!

Deb

We are finishing up week 3. I feel a little bit like someone has :trout: me. I think I will survive though. There is just so much info to take in. Two more weeks to go.

We start clinicals next semester. I am glad we get to work with partners for the first few times.

+ Add a Comment