Is it normal to be nervous about becoming a nurse?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Im not even in nursing school, I'll be taking my pre-reqs at a community college. But for the past couple months, I've been so nervous and scared...I hear that its very competitive, and im worried that I'm not good enough. Im worried about the work load. Im worried about nursing school itself. Im worried about nursing. Ive been reading some horror stories about nursing online(the stress, have zero confidence when starting out, under staffing, etc)... im terrified, and have been considering becoming something else...what that is, im not sure because I've only ever thought about being a nurse.

Is this a sign that I wont be cut out for nursing school and nursing itself?

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I would say that's it's absolutely normal to feel that way. I have felt that way, and I still feel that way. I'm starting my first semester of nursing school in 3 days. But even though I'm scared, I'm also really excited and eager to start learning about the career I have always dreamed of doing and have felt called to do. Am I scared and anxious to start clinicals and nursing classes? Yes. But I'm not going to allow my fear to control me and to get in the way of my dream in becoming a nurse.

So, are you really interested in nursing and really want to become a nurse? If so, try it! You'll never know about the amazing nurse you could have become if you don't try. Be courageous! Have courage to go for the thing that you've always wanted to do with your life. Having courage isn't a lack of fear, but doing something even when you're scared to death to do it. Best of luck in the pursuit of your nursing degree! You can do it :)

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Why do you want to be a nurse? Yes it is competitive. Yes you are often understaffed. Yes it is stressful.

IF you want to be a nurse then what difference do those things make? If you do not like stress and intense work then pick another career. Do research. Talk to an advisor. I don't see anything in your post that makes you even seem remotely interested in a nursing career. Try to find something that maybe fits your personality and manageable with your stated high anxiety.

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Thanks for the replies.

You know, despite knowing that nursing is tough, a large part of me wants to still push through and become a nurse. Another part of me keeps reminding me of all the bad things, and that scares me. Im a worrier(and I can definitely worry my self sick with worst case scenarios), and my biggest fear is that if I do become a nurse I'll end up not liking it, wishing that I had pursued something else(and honestly, I can think of worst case scenarios for the other careers I've thought about as well >.>)...I'll definitely look into volunteer options, however.

I'll list a couple of reasons why I'd like to become a nurse:

1) I see it as an honor to assist people during their time of need. Coming into a hospital for whatever reason can be a stressful and scary thing, and I think that its important to have a nurse there who wants to help them through that time

2) I'm an empathetic person, and I believe that I'd really care about helping my patients get the care that they need

3) I dont mind putting other peoples needs ahead of my own (although I know its not healthy to do that all the time)

4) I'd love to learn about the human body (I took an anatomy and physiology class in 10th grade. It obviously wasn't college level, but I really liked it, and made a note to remember things for my possible nursing career)

5) There's a lot of mobility, and nurses are able to specialize in many different things. I could use skills I've learned during times of disaster, with adults, children, I could even teach eventually if I wanted to

6) My ideal career is something in which Im making a difference in someones life, big or small, because there are so many people out there who need help

7) Job stability is important to me, and the pay in certain area's isn't too bad lol (It's not a major reason in me wanting to be a nurse, but it is a factor)

Im open to other careers, but nursing is #1 at the moment...

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I think a bit of anxiety is healthy and preferable over someone who thinks they know it all and will be downright dangerous however your initial post sounded a bit extreme. Your second post however is more grounded and makes excellent sense. It sounds like you have mostly realistic ideas about nursing. Just something to think about is to also consider your baseline level of anxiety because while not impossible I think those who are extra anxious might struggle a bit more with all that nursing entails. Good luck!

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I just finished my summer semester knocking out 3 pre-reqs I took online and I got all A's - receiving a 3.8 for the term. I was scared starting pre-reqs and I'm scared thinking about nursing school but if your hungry for it you'll do great :) a little fear is good fear.

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I can't speak for every school, because obviously it's different wherever you go, but getting into the Bachelor of Science nursing program was extremely competitive at the school I attended. Out of the 400 pre-health students that applied, only 80 got a spot, and out of the 700 secondary school students, only about 100 of those got a spot.

Often times the school will require you to have phenomenal grades in your sciences and math. My school would not accept anyone that did not have A's. Anyone with all A's and a single B got wait listed, everyone else was just rejected.

That being said, I'm a firm believer in that if you want something bad enough, and you try hard enough you can definitely pull it off. I had absolutely terrible marks in my maths and sciences in secondary school. Barely passed any of my classes, and I waited 10 years before I finally decided nursing was the right choice for me. Despite my past and being out of school for so long I managed to pull off a 4.0 GPA and I was accepted to the BSN program the first year I applied.

It's completely normal to feel nervous and feel like you don't know if you're making the right choice, but you'll never know until you try. The great thing about nursing is that you'll get a taste of clinical pretty early on and some of what to expect when you finally graduate, so if you start the program and you decide it's not for you, at least you'll have your answer and you'll know that you tried instead of giving up before you even gave yourself a chance. :)

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You know, despite knowing that nursing is tough, a large part of me wants to still push through and become a nurse. Another part of me keeps reminding me of all the bad things, and that scares me. Im a worrier(and I can definitely worry my self sick with worst case scenarios), and my biggest fear is that if I do become a nurse I'll end up not liking it, wishing that I had pursued something else...

I relate to what you said in this paragraph a lot. You're not the only one feeling that way.

I think it's normal to be nervous about nursing school, because it IS competitive, and the workload CAN be hard to handle.

But if you are determined and nursing truly is what you want to do, then you can pull through it all. From your second post, it seems like you really want to be a nurse. So go for it. Don't let fear control you.

Is this a sign that I wont be cut out for nursing school and nursing itself?

Nope. Be confident in yourself. If you don't believe that you're cut out for nursing school, then you won't be. You need to think positively about yourself.

Good luck with everything!

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Specializes in Neuro/ ENT.

Ok, fear can be good and it can be bad.

First, if you let fear and worry consume you, you will end up like a deer in headlights and be smashed. You will fulfill your own fears yourself.

Second, if you have fear and use it to drive you, push you, propel you towards excellence, you will be fine.

That being said, reading horror stories is all well and good as long as you use them to help you rather than to scare you. I try my best to learn from other people's horror stories, so I can try to avoid the same horror story.

Nursing is not unacheivable. It is not a lion waiting to eat you whole. It is, however, meant to make us work hard. You won't make it if you don't think you will. That is the first obstacle you really have to overcome, and it is best to overcome it before you start. Make up your mind. Decide. YOU CAN DO THIS AND YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH.

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Specializes in Neuro/ ENT.

About the worst case scenarios... I am a worst case scenario thinker as well... however, the reason I think of worst case is so I can make sure I will be able to handle worst case. "If the worst case happens, will I be ok?" I think only once in my life did I answer that with a no, and I did not do that thing. All the other times thinking this way set me free... bc I knew that no matter what I would be ok.

Also, "wrost case" rarely happens. So anything else is a bonus! That is a lot of bonuses!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I let fear talk me out of even applying to NS for over a decade. Don't make that same mistake.

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*Is it normal to be nervous about becoming a nurse?

Hell ya!!

*Is this a sign that I won't be cut out for nursing school and nursing itself?

NO

You are quite normal, I'm afraid. And you will start to become more confident once you start nursing school. But totally confident...I don't think ever;)

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