Been accepted to for the Fall 2007 class and scared to death!

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi all,

This is my first post but I have visited this site often and enjoy everyones posts. I am very grateful to have been accepted into a program my first time to even apply, though I am very scared of failure.

I here all the horror stories of the program and people failing. I have purchased the fundamentals of nursing book and am reading it already to try to prepare myself for what is to come. I have pretty much got the med math down also.

I want any suggestions of what else I might do to prepare for this program.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Stacy class of 2009

Hi Stacy!

I know how you feel, I am in the same position--scared to death, but very excited. There's a great thread on "share your fears" somewhere, (pre -nursing forum I think???).

I am obvioulsy not an expert on the subject since I am also starting NS in the fall, but I think you are doing plenty of prep for the program already. Good for you.

I wish I had more time to do what you are doing, I hear Fundamentals is huge course, but I have to take a nutrition course this summer (final prereq) and with everything else...

Right now the only extra thing I am doing is Medical Terminology, making sure I've got the -itis's and -ectomy's down :nuke: . I am doing a chapter or so a week and wrote out flash cards to look at on the train. Let me know if you want the name of the book.

Keep it up, but do get some rest too, and have some fun this summer before school starts again! That's my advise--do Medical terminolgy and have fun...

Hey Stacy,

I too know just how you feel. Almost 1 year ago I was in the same position. I was just starting clinicals and so afraid because I too had horror stories coming from all directions. But unlike you I was horrible in math and had sat out for years before being called up for clinicals. Honestly I was afraid that I had forgotten everything that I had learned!! Was I really expected to remember the name of the hole on some notch on a bone that I had entirely forgotten the name of :confused: !!! I was a bit freaked out to say the least. It's hard to tell you exactly what you should do becuase different things work for different people but I can tell you what I did. I first decided to ignore everything I heard from others because everyone has a different experience and set of circumstances. I did review a little A&P (very general, like functions of systems and organs with emphasis on physiology). I brushed up on my math since I felt this was my weakest area and AS SOON as I could I got books for the upcoming semster and started reading. I know from experience that one thing that hurts you the most is falling behind in your reading and there is PLENTY of it (it's not that the material is so hard, it's that there is just sooooo much) so my best advice is try not to get behind. I just finished up my first year, graduated as a LPN :thankya: and am on to RN clinicals in the fall (lol....here we go again). Just know that you are not alone, we all either will be or have been there and YOU WILL GET THROUGH! Good luck!!!

Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.

Congratulations on being accepted. I think reviewing topics is a great idea but do it slowly, you don't need to crash and burn before you start school. Relax, hang out with family and friends. Most importantly do the things you enjoy and stock up on fun!

Think this is the most important because we will not be having much free time. So far I have been going on many vacations. I have another cruise next September. I haven't started school yet but I'm not going to pressure myself into psyching myself that it's hard. Personally I am just going to prepare myself for better studying skills, proper organization and having fun .

Wouldn't it be great if could ACTUALLY stock up on fun, sleep and relaxation. it could really come in handy sometimes...:lol2:

Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.
Wouldn't it be great if could ACTUALLY stock up on fun, sleep and relaxation. it could really come in handy sometimes...:lol2:

LOL yea I know. Most of my friends are actually kinda jealous of me right now because ever since April I have been going on mini vacations and 3-4 day cruises. I know I will NOT be having a vacation except maybe the summer time while I'm in school. Even in the summer time I would like to work part time or do study abroad (hopefully I do study abroad next summer).

Currently I'm in AP 2 class so can't do any vacations till August. After August I have online classes till Dec, so I will be living it up during that time. So yea I will be stocking up on fun. My boyfriend bought me a 8 spa treatment plan that I can have facials, body treatments or massages so I'm saving that for NS. I think there will stay be ways to have some relaxation at least.

Thanks all for the responses.

We had an orientation and recieved a math test which we should do during the summer and are expected to get 100 on one that is simaliar to it right after we start. We have to get 100 because it peoples lives we are dealing with and there is no room for error.

We will start clinicals about 10-1-07 we will just to lab at the school pryor to that.

At my school the first semester is Fundamentals and the second semester is first 8 weeks med surg which I heard is very hard. Well I just hope after all my hard work to get here it wasnt all for nothing.

I have talked to nurses I know and they say we all got through it so there is a way.

THanks again for the responses,

Stacy

I start in August and am scared as well. My orientation is on Tuesday and I'm excited about that. I don't want to kill anyone and I don't want to fail...

I'm sure we'll all be fine. :) In 2 years we'll be cheering because we passed our boards and we'll look back at this and laugh at our silly, inexperienced selves. :)

Specializes in OR Nursing Internship.

I don't know what kind of program you are in but it's helpful when you can sit down and put limits on the amount of classes you will take. I had a choice of taking 16 credits in the spring or taking 2 classes over the summer and taking 13 in the spring. Make your scheduele work for you if you can so you don't get inundated. I'm not sure what you can do to prepare. Are you currently working as a CNA? The best experience I got was from working as a CNA. When taking fundamentals, I had already been taught a lot of the material in training. Also I think it's helpful to adopt a more laid back attitude. Not every test will be perfect and sometimes you feel how can I ever know all these chapters, I think to myself I will do the best that I can do.

Thanks all for the responses.

We had an orientation and recieved a math test which we should do during the summer and are expected to get 100 on one that is simaliar to it right after we start. We have to get 100 because it peoples lives we are dealing with and there is no room for error.

Stacy

:uhoh21: OH NO, really?....a math test first thing...I'm in trouble if it is the same thing for us. I guess I can see why, but I hope it isn't calculus!!!!:uhoh3:

It is good that you have orientation early, that gives you some time to prepare at least. Good Luck!

I too know how you feel. A year ago I was in your shoes and so scared! But so many make it and if you keep your life organized, build connections and support and remember to balance your life as much as possible, you'll be great. Just be yourself and remind yourself why you are doing this!

I was thinking the other day I might buy myself a frame for my diploma and put it next to my desk to motivate me!

I don't know about other schools but my school matches first and second year students up so the 2nd years can help us out. Talk to your school to find out if there is anything like that available. It really helped me a whole bunch.

Good luck, breath and just know that you are going to be great!

Stacy,

Congratulations on your acceptance to the nursing program. I am so excited for you. I too was in the same position like you are last year. I am now contunuing on to my 2nd and final year. Try not to focus on the horror stories and negativity that you hear/read. Enjoy the moment and your upcoming experience. Not too many are able to experience this so enjoy it girl. Fundamentals is a good topic to start with and you can grow from there. Med math is a must and it is one of the big things in nursing. My school also had the dosage calculation test taht you have to pass first and foremost. Keep on doing what you are doing and enjoy your free time before you start school, Ok? Take care.

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