Anyone Else Nervous?

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi Everyone!

First, let me just say what a miracle it is that I have found this site

Second, is anyone else starting their first year of school in September? I FINALLY decided on which school I was going to attend (It was between two that I really wanted to attend; so nerver-wracking, I lost sleep over it lol), but I was excited about it for only a second, and then the worry and nerves set in. I'm so scared I'm going to do something wrong during clinical, flunk out, make no friends, or be the target of an evil clinical instructor. Anyone else feel even remotely like this.

I guess it's because this is something I want so much, it's honestly a dream come true that I'm starting nursing school in the fall. I know I need to focus on the good things more than the bad, but I'm having some trouble!

Any of you who are beginning ns for the first time nervous/scared/worried about this new journey they're embarking on??

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Yes..I'm starting this fall, although I haven't notified the college b/c I'm still not 100% sure on which offer I'm going to accept...but probably 95% sure. I honestly feel guilty turning one down, like I'm turning my nose at them and saying "no, thank you for accepting me into your program, but I've decided on another", when I know there is a student somehere who wasn't accepted,,,,although he/she will be elated to get the letter after being put on the waiting list.

But my fears about the actual program are time management related, can I balance my job, social life, husband, dog, etc.... And after reading about all the horrible instructors, I'm hoping I can win them over early b/c I'm not one to sit back and take it....so I will have a hard time bitting my tongue, it's not something that comes naturally to me!

So here's to many late nights with adderrall and coffee!!!

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I am nervous about starting nursing school. I worked like a dog to get into the program I wanted and have at last made it. I am happy but worried. My main concern is money. I must work besides doing school so I hope I am able to handle it and can find the perfect job to fit around my class schedule

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Well I am fortunate to have a husband (whom I supported while he pursued his dream of becoming a firefighter) to will "pay the bills", but I just got a job at a hospital (b/c I will have to have health insurance and his dept is so expensive to add me) working 3 nights a week (8 hr shifts)...which will be perfect once school starts.

So try and find something at a hospital (ideally one you'd like to work at after graduation) where you can have the flexible hours and also utilize their tuition reimbursement program that most hospitals offer!

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Congratulations on getting accepted! There are a lot of people who try for years but can never get in. You've just leaped over one of the biggest hurdles to get to your career! :-)

I'm in my senior year of nursing school now. I graduate in May of 2009. Only one more year!

But I remember all too well what you are feeling right now. I thought I would die from nervousness when I first started. Even though I was obviously considered smart enough to be accepted into the program, I kept telling myself that it was a fluke that I even got in. Everyone else is much more brilliant and prepared than I am. I, for sure, am going to be the one who flunks out the first semester. I've never done anything medical in my whole life. Do I even have what it takes?

The very first time I had my own client to take care of, I nearly freaked out. We were doing our first rotation at a nursing home, and my assigned client was basically in a coma and needed full care. My mind went blank and it felt like I forgot everything I ever learned. Vital signs? What's that? I wanted to cry. But my instructor was incredibly sweet and patient with me. She knew this was my first time. Mrs. W. practically held my hand as she walked with me into the room. She handed me the blood pressure cuff and took my stethoscope from my neck. She said, "Well, let's start with taking his blood pressure and we will take it from there. If you don't remember how to do something, just ask for help. Just breathe. You will be just fine!" After taking that first step, things went so much more smoothly. My anxiety was gone and the rest of the day went very well.

I laugh looking back it. Vital signs and morning care are nothing now! But that first clinical day, I was petrified.

I hope you have as sweet an instructor as I had. Like she told me, just take a deep breath before walking into any patient's room and remind yourself that you can do it! If you don't know where to start, begin with taking blood pressure and vitals and go from there. If you don't remember how to do a task, ask someone for help, whether it be from your instructor, a floor nurse, or a fellow student. There is nothing wrong with admitting that you are scared or don't know everything. No one expects anything more from you than for you to try your best and to learn from your mistakes. :up:

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Specializes in Emergency.

I'd have to agree with the poster above me! Although I'm not a senior about to graduate, I just started nursing school almost 4 weeks ago...I'm in an accelerated BSN program...and I was SO nervous after I found out I was accepted....because I felt like I wasn't going to be good enough or I would have a nightmare sort of experience once I got in...well, thankfully you're kept so busy once nursing school starts that you don't have time to be nervous...so don't worry, that nervousness will disappear when you start up...and it will change to stress!! haha! I can say that the time really flies by in nursing school...I feel like it was just yesterday I found out I got accepted...and now I'm going in to the end of my first month of it all already. So enjoy it, and you will meet some great people along the way. Congratulations on getting accepted into your school...as this is hard to do!! :) Enjoy this summer...and try not to get too nervous (easier said than done, I know!) Good luck with everything!!!

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Im not as nervous as I am anxious. For the first time in my life I cant wait for school to start, I am SO excited.

Is it september yet?

I obsess about it day and night, I bought coloring books, review books, and I still havent been to one class. I also got accepted to 2 programs, and I know the feeling of snubbing one school for another. Im grateful to them and I know they'll get over it lol.

Good luck to all of us that got in, lets keep in touch and make a pact (over the net) to graduate TOGETHER! (unless your a BSN then gl to u too)

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Specializes in OR-ortho, neuro, trauma.

I 2nd what Natingale said. I'm much more anxious then nervous. Probably because I've already been in the medical field for awhile so the vitals and care that we start with aren't as nerve wracking for me.

COME ON SEPTEMBER!!!! :yeah:

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I am nervous and worry about whether I am making the right choice. I worry about the sacrifices I am forcing my family to make. My kids and husband are also at the mercy of nursing school, as much as I am. I worry that I am spending all this money and time on something that might not be for me. What if I hate it? I wonder if I have it in me right now to get through school and licensing - I have so many other responsibilities to so many other people in my life now. Will I be stretched too thin? Will I have to drop out? Will I take from my family so I have enough to give patients and school? Will it be too stressful? Will I turn into a robot nurse? Will I be able to find a job? I am sure as I move though school there will be the worries about ability, life and death situations, etc. I am not jumping the gun there, I will wait for that to come get me if it needs me!

So, yeah, I worry! I am nervous, for sure. It is more about change, I think, than anything else. I think it is pretty normal and I would hope that most nursing students have their moments (if not days, weeks, and months) of soul searching.

Take care

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Hotlfashn..I hear ya babe, but its a small sacrifice. 2 years out of your WHOLE life, to know that in the end, your family will have financial security. Nurses arent rich, but you know what they will ALWAYS have a job. Lets say you dont enjoy patient care, blood sputum poop, go into pharmaceutical sales. Its sucha broad field, that this really is a ticket into so many areas the possibilities are endless. One of our per diem nurses is a school nurse for her daughers school, she LOVES it.

You will find something you love. When you catch that baby in your L&D rotation, and youre the first person to witness new life being brought into this world.. You will know you made the right decision.

Its going to get tough, and you already prepared yourself mentally, but relax. Take it day by day, I will be here in september if you need help. Or who knows, I might need your help! We'll be in touch, in the end your family will know the sacrifices you made and the reason for it.

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You will find something you love. When you catch that baby in your L&D rotation, and youre the first person to witness new life being brought into this world.. You will know you made the right decision.

Oh, the delicious irony of that. I am a licensed midwife and have caught my share of babies. LOL. I have stood witness and part of my concern is about leaving a very different kind of truly holistic, self-determined health-based health care for an illness and technological based kind of care. I have lots of terms to come too. It is hard to leave the world of predominately health, beauty, promise and normalcy for the infirm and dying.

Poop and blood aren't a worry at all. :chuckle

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Im not as nervous as I am anxious. For the first time in my life I cant wait for school to start, I am SO excited.

Is it september yet?

I obsess about it day and night, I bought coloring books, review books, and I still havent been to one class. I also got accepted to 2 programs, and I know the feeling of snubbing one school for another. Im grateful to them and I know they'll get over it lol.

Good luck to all of us that got in, lets keep in touch and make a pact (over the net) to graduate TOGETHER! (unless your a BSN then gl to u too)

I bought a coloring book too :chuckle! Everyone laughed at me but I don't care. I mean, I am excited and am SO anxious to start, but I feel it's being overshadowed by my nerves. I just have to keep repeating the "I can do it, I can do it, I can do it" mantra

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