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

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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

Specializes in Step-down ICU.

Hi Stacy,

I too can understand your fears. I was terrified of nursing. I just finished my first semester of an ADN program and I have lived to tell the story! I believe my success in the first semester was due to not having to take too many of the pre-req's--I got most of them out of the way. A lot of girls in my program were trying to take A&P, Micro, and Nursing. It became overwhelming. I took Nursing fundamentals, Microbiology and Medical terminology. I also worked, and still did well. I know everyone's situation is different. I am not sure what your home life is like, but the more you can focus on nursing the better off you will be. You will learn that the program is a huge time commitment.

Another thing that helped me is reading as much as I could on nursing. I would study in Barnes and Nobles. They have an entire nursing section and I would use a lot of their NCLEX books, and other materials to help me study. For example when we had our pharmacology test, I went to Barnes and Nobles, and pulled all the books that had info in it regarding pharmacology and read those particular secitons. I took some notes, and answered some of the questions on the practice test. Reading different materials really helped me. People in my class didn't quite understand how to take nursing tests; this is why I suggest doing this. I know you have heard it time and time again, it's all critical thinking. I believe that will be the hardest part of it all, but if you study hard and prepare you will have the confidence it takes to correctly answer the questions. Good luck with nursing. You will do fine!

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I, too, am starting my final year of nursing school in August. The first year was hard, but just about all of us made it. As one poster has already mentioned, don't use up valuable relaxation time this summer pre-studying for your classes. You will not have to learn every word of every textbook. Brush up on A&P and chemistry, and then enjoy your summer. Keep up with the readings once the semester starts, and don't wait until the last minute to study for your exams. I may be a little weird, but I have had a lot of fun in nursing school. I study almost continuously during the semester and I get just as anxious as the next person before an exam, but it really can be a blast. I am really not worried about the next two semesters at all. Good luck!

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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.

I was accepted into a 2 year program at a community college. I Have my CNA and CMA and work with the mental health. We will take 6 hours (credits) in the fall 8 in the spring 8 in second year fall and 8 in second year spring. I have finished all my other classes that were required to get in. So really its only like part time but its enough work for full time and its taken me 4 years going part time to complete all my preriquites(spelling?).

Stacy

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THanks for your confidence in me and most of all the part about not many people being able to to experience even entering the program. Your right I am one of a lucky bunch to be accepted. Thanks

Stacy

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Dont be freaked out. be excited. It will be a challenge but rewarding. Go get em tiger.

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hey stacy, mind if i ask what school you are entering? sounds kinda like the program i am starting in september (westchester cc). even tho i am an lpn i have to take the challenge exam in july, but i still have a couple of prereq's to do... nutrition and dosage calculation. i also have to take a math test over the summer and will have a math test the 1st day of class.

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I just finished my first semester and so I was recently in the same boat as you. I swear I must have been shaking at least half way through the day of orientation. However, it was not nearly as bad as I had made it out to be. I think being scared just encourages you to work your butt off...so a little fear is not always a bad thing. Just don't get so much anxiety you can't function during test time. If you know the reading sections required for your first unit go ahead and get started on those. I did which gave me a nice little jump start at the beginning of the semester. Another good thing to do is discuss with your closest family and friends how busy your going to be. Unfortunately you will have to miss out on certain things and they will hopefully be more understanding if you warn them about it before you start.

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I recently started a BSN program and I know it is scary. Just don't get discouraged. Nursing school is difficult, but not impossible. Everyone tried to freak me out before med/surg saying that half the people fail out of that class. I ended up getting an A! Of course, I studied like a million hours but it was worth it. Just have good study habits and try not to fall behind. You can do this, it looks like you are off to a great start. Just want to remind you not to get discouraged because it happens often in nursing school.

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Specializes in Med/Surg ICU, NICU.

:balloons: Congratulations on being accepted!!!! I am almost half way through my second and final year but I still remember how you feel. I would not waste what little time you have left to have fun pre-reading for school. I would just concentrate on having fun. As other posters have mentioned but I feel it important to stress do not get behind in your reading it can totally derail you. Make friends and only study with those that have the same goals as you. I have made so many friends but only study with a couple. I have pretty high standards so even though I like to socialize with some of my classmates their careless attitude of C=RN does not make us good study partners. Also, don't be afraid to ask your instructors for help that is why they are there and they really don't bite. :lol2:

Good luck to you.

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Hello Everyone!!

I have also been accepted to Fall "07" we start August 20th. I am excited but, in a very nail biting way it is nerve-wracking. So glad to read I am not the only person without nerves of steel. I got my GLA&S degree this last semester so luckily I won't have any extra classes to take while in the ADN program.

Good Luck To us All Starting Fall "07

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I start my clinacals in September and I am also nervous. Thanks for the good advice.

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