How to find confidence as a pre-nursing student?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hey there,

It's clear to me that I lack a lot of confidence, and tend to overthink things.

(Yay for anxiety disorder!) , but How did you guys as nursing students find that confidence to be able to make it in the program?

The nursing program i'm applying to is super competitive and impacted. It seems like a good majority of the prenursing students I talk to are super smart and it really discourages my chances of actually becoming a nurse. :cry:

There's times where I have a little confidence and say, "Wow! I actually might have a chance!" But then I get back a test with a grade of a C.

I'm also starting a part-time job soon to start saving $$ and actually be able to pay rent so that also makes me more anxious about trying to balance school and work.

If there are any tips you guys have for confidence I'd love to hear them. :inlove:

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Fake it till you make it.

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Fake it till you make it.

Thanks for the reply. :)

How interesting you said that... In my public speaking class we recently watched a TED talk and it really stuck to me when Amy Cuddy said "Fake it till you become it."

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Don't give up on making into nursing school! I never thought I would get in because of my low GPA. I also felt like everyone applying probably had perfect applications (4.0 GPA and perfect pre-entrance exam scores). I went ahead and applied anyway and I'll never forget the day I got my acceptance letter, the tears were rolling!

My advice is: if you have gotten a C in any classes try to retake some. I didn't retake all of my C classes but I did retake several. Try to make As in all your classes until you get accepted. Try to make As in all the categories on your pre-entrance exam. Take extra classes that give you extra points on your application.

I ended up making all As in nursing school except for 1 course and my GPA went up a lot during school. I did it all while working part time too. If you have a boss that is willing to work with your schedule then it is very doable to work and go to school.

If you are dedicated and can be organized I don't think you will have a problem being successful in nursing school!

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Specializes in Neuro.

Rule 1: Don't compare yourself to anyone else. That will probably solve 90% of any confidence issues.

Keep in mind everyone has their strengths & weaknesses. Sure someone can be "book smart" but are they also critical thinkers...are they good with people...can they handle a stressful/emergency situation? Some excel in academics, others just get by. As long as you pass, learn & apply what you learn, that is what matters. In nursing school, from what I'm told, the majority of people are not A students...even those students who had a chronic history of straight A's generally aren't anymore.

Everyone has their strengths & also their weaknesses. Build on YOUR strengths.

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I do agree with the PP 100%. I am a pre-nursing student myself and currently taking a course in organic chemistry! I got an A in my genral chemistry class, but orgo is 100 times harder! I am trying to pull an A, but, honestly, it is so hard that at times I also think if I can make it. Knowing how competitive nursing programs are getting anything less than an A is pretty much a loss. However, like other PPs said, everyone is different. In the class I am now there are 500 students, and if I kept thinking about each of them, I would go nuts and end up in a psych ward. However, I do have faith in my abilities and I am sure I can make it: I tell it to myself every single day. I advise you do the same. Believe in your strengths, and everything will work out.

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Give yourself more options as far as schools go. There's one program that I really, really want to get into. It's been my dream for years now. But I started worrying to the point that it was screwing up my grades. So I found two more programs to apply to. It's relieved a LOT of the pressure I put on myself.

I also agree with the "fake it 'till you make it" sentiment - it's working for me.

Also, "comparison is the thief of joy". You do your best you - that's all you can do.

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