Am I cut out for nursing school?

sp3233 · Feb 24, 2016

I totally understand what you are feeling, I am also weak in the math area but I managed to get a B's and A's in the nursing pre-reqs. The only issue I'm having now is just passing the pre-nursing program exam.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2016

If you are "weak" at math and science then to be a nurse you need to become "unweak". Here is the thing..either you can do it or not. You are required to earn certain grades. If you do not then you will not be a nurse. This is why there are many careers in the world as some people are better at others. Forget "weak" and understand what you must do to earn the grade needed. If you need to study 40 hours a week then so be it. By saying you are "weak" you have already set your self up for failure. The requirements to become eligible to take the NCLEX are the same for every single other person. You meet the requirements or you do not. Simple.

jackie87 · Feb 24, 2016

The old saying that you can do anything you put your mind to is true! I had all of your same fears before starting school. I dropped out of high school at 16 and failed out of my first semester of college when I was 18. I have severe anxiety and I felt defeated. I also doubted my ability to ever go back to school because of my "weakness in math and science". I found the drive and motivation to go back when I was 22 and aimed high for nursing. I'm now 24 and starting an RN program this fall and I'm also graduating with my associates degree in general studies in may with a perfect GPA and in honors. I aced every math and science course including anatomy and physiology and even microbiology with A's across the board. There is nothing you can't do. There are only things you don't try hard enough for. If you want it, you will achieve it. Good luck!!

sp3233 · Feb 24, 2016

The old saying that you can do anything you put your mind to is true! I had all of your same fears before starting school. I dropped out of high school at 16 and failed out of my first semester of college when I was 18. I have severe anxiety and I felt defeated. I also doubted my ability to ever go back to school because of my "weakness in math and science". I found the drive and motivation to go back when I was 22 and aimed high for nursing. I'm now 24 and starting an RN program this fall and I'm also graduating with my associates degree in general studies in may with a perfect GPA and in honors. I aced every math and science course including anatomy and physiology and even microbiology with A's across the board. There is nothing you can't do. There are only things you don't try hard enough for. If you want it, you will achieve it. Good luck!!

This is very inspiring! Thank you for such a positive message! :)

augurey · Feb 24, 2016

I think if it's something that you want, then you'll try your hardest to do it.

I'm also shy and introverted. I've struggled with anxiety and depression. I've never been great at math or science. I've found, so far, nursing math to be pretty easy. Granted there's other math to get through first.

As far as subject matter goes and pre-reqs, if you're struggling, get help. Ask questions, network with other people who may be able to give you a different perspective, seek out tutoring, look up videos online that might explain something in a way that you understand it better. I was just doing a medication check off yesterday which involved calculating medication dosage. Means and extremes has been the thing that made everything click for me. As I was doing it my instructor said that she's never seen anyone do it like that before (keeping in mind she's been there for quite some time). It wasn't an issue at all because it still gets me the answer, it works for me, but it just shows that you have to find what works for you. Not everyone learns the same. Find what works for you and run with it (though with some adaptability).

I really wasn't sure if I could do this because I'm socially awkward and introverted, but I know it's what I want to do, and I'm willing to push through it. I absolutely love what I do during my clinicals, but confidence is still such a a big issue for me, but I'm still pushing through, working on it each and every clinical. I even spoke with a couple of instructors on it who even said that they were like that, and it's possible to overcome it. You just have to be willing to and work on it.

You don't know if you're cut out for it until you try. There are still days that, no matter how much I want to do this, I wonder if I'm cut out for it. My two kids are the biggest reason I don't give up (besides the fact that I really want to do this). Right now I'm more exhausted than I ever have before. Every day is a huge mental beating because I have the shyness and lack of confidence to overcome, but I know it's worth it and keep pushing forward.

If it's what you really want to do, start taking the pre-reqs, get help when you need it, and see where you feel like it's going. If you still want to do it, apply. You may not overcome being introverted until you're forced not to be in clinicals. You may decide after your first semester that it just isn't for you. Or you may decide you really want this and decide to keep pushing forward.

If you haven't sought out treatment for anxiety and depression, I think that would be a really good place to start as well.

sbenson1 · Feb 24, 2016

It is so helpful to know I'm not the only one struggling with this. Thank you for being so positive and encouraging. I am looking into treatment for anxiety and depression. I think if I can get that under control it will make all the difference in the world.

qrnh, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2016

I struggled with all of these things you worry about. I worked very hard for good grades on my pre-reqs, got in to nursing school and just kept working very hard. There have been times I wanted to quit because I was so discouraged, but I made up my mind that the only way I was leaving was if I was thrown out. I have shown up to clinicals completely scared. I give myself pep talks in the car before I get out: you can do this, you prepared for this by studying and simulation work, courage takes practice and that practice starts right now, and: you only have to get through the next five minutes (repeat for 12 hours).

I am three months away from graduating with my BSN. I am still giving myself pep talks in the car, but I have grown in confidence. I know other student nurses who get scared and anxious too, but they don't let that be a reason to stop. There are moments when everything comes together: nursing skill, knowledge, and therapeutic relationships. And other moments when I'm clunky or awkward or inexperienced. The more I do it, the more skillful I become.

I might be an introvert by nature, but I really like my patients and the nurses I work with. I might find small talk a challenge, but I am really good at therapeutic listening. I've noticed that some patients connect well with the fun, outgoing nurses, but other patients really appreciate a quieter approach. There is room in nursing for both kinds of people.

When I am giving myself a pep talk in the car, I am alone with both my fear and my determination. When I hold the hand of a frightened patient, they have me. Remembering that helps me get out of my car the next day.

I wish you the best, whatever your journey.

sbenson1 · Feb 24, 2016

Thank you so much for that. I think my fear is deeply rooted in the fact that I have no passion for anything, and no real interest in anything. Nursing is one of the best ways to be useful to other people which had got to be better than a pointless existence. I worry that my lack of passion will make school unbearable and the job even more so. I know that it's a hard situation to understand, and the final decision has to be mine. I really appreciate you sharing your story, and thank you for being so positive. :)

LPNTOBE2017 · Feb 25, 2016

If you want to become a nurse then go for it. You would be amazed at what you can do if you put your mind to it. Good luck and GOD Bless

Nori.Giselle · Feb 25, 2016

I had to work a a lot of things along the way. I have anxiety, ADHD (that's a whole other story lol) and I HATE science. I dreaded science class so much that I saved them for last!! But I'd be "damned" literally if I would have let fear, anxiety and doubt stop me from accomplishing my goals. I just finished RN school! I look back and realize it was nothing but the grace of God that got me through Bio, Chem, A&P, LPN AND RN school. :saint: If you want to do it then go for it! You're about to start a marathon. Just take a few classes at a time then see how you do. There's no rush. Don't feel bad about starting school at 23. I'm 28 and just finished. It took me 10 years of being in school (1/2 time and FT). I even had classmates that were old enough to be my parents. When you do start school make sure you pick your professors carefully so you can make the best grade possible! I went to see a specialist about ADHD and was able to get some help for that. Maybe you should talk to your primary care dr. Help yourself so that you can help others. Be encouraged! You CAN do it.

Lissla · Feb 26, 2016

I was in the same boat before I started the nursing program in 2013. I'm still very much an introvert and get shy too. It's something I'm always going to struggle with and yet today I'm an RN. I found that the program was the best decision I made for myself. I grew so much throughout the two years. The only difference you may experience is that you may not have the same type of program I had. I had a group of students that I was in the same class and clinicals with everyday and that's mainly what helped me gain more confidence in myself. We didn't start going to clinicals until we had a basic foundation of nursing skills. I know other Universities throw you on a hospital floor without any skills. You won't know if you're cut out for it until you go through it yourself though.