Anxiety Before Nursing Shool

suzy253, RN · Aug 12, 2004

absolutely--exactly one year ago before I was to start my first year. I was always questioning myself. But when I sat down to my first class everything calmed down and settled into place. I became very proud of myself and soaking in all the information that I was learning. I passed my first year and am now about to enter my 2nd year...very excited about going back to school again. You'll do fine..you'll see! :)

Saved_by_Grace · Aug 12, 2004

You bet ya...I really almost dropped out of the program a couple times now from my fear/anxiety. Suzy said it pretty well though... I'm hanging in there though and my classes start Tuesday. Good luck to ya:) I hope ya hang in there

NurseBunky · Aug 12, 2004

I start school this Monday and was pretty ok about 3 weeks ago. Now I'm a nervous wreck!! I can't wait to start though. We just had orientation today and yesterday and my professors and fellow classmates seem really positive. I already have a study group. We've already decided to meet Monday after class to start studying for our drug calculation test. Just try to remember why you applied to nursing school and why you want to be a nurse and you'll be ok. Practice some deep breathing exercises and be open minded. Get to know your classmates, then you'll realize your not the only one feeling anxious!!! Good Luck to you and Congradulations!!:balloons:

Ortho_RN · Aug 12, 2004

Of course.. Heck, I was wondering if I had made a mistake my last semester :) It's normal :)

My biggest piece of advice that I can give for surviving nursing school is.... DO NOT LET IT CONSUME YOU... You cannot study 24/7... You have to take a YOU day or a family day... You do not have to have your nose plastered into a book at all times... :)

mariedoreen · Aug 13, 2004

Oh gosh OP... anxiety about starting the nursing program? To the point that you want to reach for the phone and give up your spot? Hmmm, this is incredibly rare. Last I heard only 99.9% of us are feeling the same way!

Seriously, we're all terrified and finding out that everyone else is as scared as I am was exactly what I needed to know to realize that it's not my dedication to becoming a nurse that's in question... it's just that this is a huge change for me now, the dream has become reality, and I'm questioning my ability to handle the changes. Best advice: push through your fears. I'm sure we'll be amazed at how quickly they both dissipate and resurface through the next two years.

Best of luck to you!

And ORTHORN: thank you for that piece of advice about not letting nursing school consume you. I basically allowed my pre-reqs to consume me for years because I had to have a GPA as close to a 4.00 as possible in order to make it into a program. But now I'm here and while I intend to study hard and do my best, I also intend to try and maintain some semblance of balance in my life. (Those of you who've already been through school can quit laughing now).

: )

FarmgrrlRN · Aug 13, 2004

Has anyone had anxiety before beginning nursing school to the point they were unsure if they are making the right choice of going to nursing school in the first place? Any info is appreciated.

As said before, of course! I also am starting my 2nd year and I think the biggest cause of my anxiety is fear of failing! (You work so hard to get here, so many fail, etc.)We start next Thursday and I'm having the same feelings again this year too. Two more semesters and I'll be finished but I just have to get there!!!

Good Luck in School and enjoy (really)!!!

Ortho_RN · Aug 13, 2004

And ORTHORN: thank you for that piece of advice about not letting nursing school consume you. I basically allowed my pre-reqs to consume me for years because I had to have a GPA as close to a 4.00 as possible in order to make it into a program. But now I'm here and while I intend to study hard and do my best, I also intend to try and maintain some semblance of balance in my life. (Those of you who've already been through school can quit laughing now). : )

Do not let your grades consume you either... I mean do good.. But if you pull a C on a test don't freak.. Nursing tests are no where similar to regular college course tests.. Grading systems are usually different depending on the school/program. I was a A/B student, and I got several C's on tests.. I was happy I passed :)

RNinRubySlippers, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2004

wonderful advice ortho rn! congrats on the boards!

RegisteredNurse06 · Aug 13, 2004

Ohhhhh yes! I'm starting the nursing program next week and I'm so scared! I've thought about dropping out several times already. In fact, I picked my books up this week and dh informed me that I had just blown my last chance to back out!lol...He knows how nervous I am but he's also very encouraging. He has more faith in my abilities to get through school than I do. Anyway, you are NOT alone. We're all feeling the same way you are. Good luck to ya!

abundantjoy07, RN · Aug 13, 2004

there must be something that everyone else knows that i don't know because i'm not the least bit nervous about starting nursing school. (next week) the only time i was nervous about nursing school was during my freshman year, when i decided to change my major from broadcast journalism to nursing.

i dunno, i just don't get antsy about things like this. if i do it's a while before the fact. i took my cna course and i was nervous about the test 3 weeks before i took it. i thought about it one day and was nervous. i completely forgot about it the next day! then on the day of my exam i was so calm.

in my mind i know i'll do well. and if i don't...oh well. i'll just have to try harder next time. that's the way i think about things.

i guess i'm just weird like that.:rotfl:

RedSox33RN · Aug 13, 2004

And ORTHORN: thank you for that piece of advice about not letting nursing school consume you. I basically allowed my pre-reqs to consume me for years because I had to have a GPA as close to a 4.00 as possible in order to make it into a program. But now I'm here and while I intend to study hard and do my best, I also intend to try and maintain some semblance of balance in my life. (Those of you who've already been through school can quit laughing now).
: )

You sound EXACTLY like me. I fret over less than a 3.8 in any class. It's ridiculous, I know, but it's like I have to prove to myself that I can do it. I was not a good student in HS, because I didn't apply myself at all. Now that I'm paying for my education, I want to get all out of it I can, and to me, obtaining the best grades show that I'm getting the most I can. That probably makes no sense in words, but close to how I feel. I know that once I start nursing school I'm going to have to tone all of that down.

And nervous? Oh, yes! I have a feeling Imodium and Pepto Bismol will be my friend for a few days at the beginning!