Dear Nursing Students, Never Give Up

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I just found out I passed the NCLEX. I had a very long journey to get here. My journey included 2 failures from nursing schools due to EXTREME anxiety. If you really want to be a nurse DO NOT let anyone, or any situation stop you. Try try again! If you need help with skills seek help and if you need help with your anxiety seek help and do not stop until you are satisfied with the help you are recieving. Once you are ready, really ready, success will come your way. It's a good thing I'm so stubborn because any other person would have given up long ago.

if you want it bad enough you will continue on until you succeed!

If that means it takes you many more years then you expect, so what?

You can and will do anything you set your mind to. Any obstacles in your way are just speed bumps. Do not let that stop you.

If you're struggling, know there is always hope if you just keep on going. You will get there, I promise!

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Congratulations and Thank you for this :)

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I say that to myself all the time....NEVER give up and quit is not in my vocabulary. I have failed 1 class already, was washed back and forced to go to night classes, our clinical is on weekends but you know what, I made the best of it and it is okay. I am an older woman, 50 years old, and for me, this is a dream of mine, to become a nurse.

Good on you Latebloomer...and congratulations!!

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I have some pretty serious anxiety. I'm starting a practical nursing program November 26. Do you have any specific advice concerning anxiety? I have self- help coping skills I use, but, at less than a month out, every time I think about school starting my palms sweat, my heart rate goes up and I nearly cry. I'm starting to have anxiety about my anxiety! Sounds kind of funny, except it's not lol. I'm 46 years old and feel extra pressure to make it through this first time. I love science and learning medical information. I feel strongly that this is what I want to do. My mom died of cancer and ever since then I've wanted to work in hospice. I finally have this opportunity and I just don't want to blow it! Thank you for any advice you may have!

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Specializes in LTC.

cebelle, I really encourage you now, before your program starts, to look to all areas of your life where you can reduce stress.

I say this because I know from experience that if you are having this anxiety reaction simply by thinking about something, it means your anxiety is not in a good place.

We go about our lives each day and we do all of the million things we need to do, and we get used to living in that almost-constant state of fight or flight. But that does not mean it is normal (we think it's just OUR normal) ...or that it has to be that way.

Make note of your stressors throughout the day, and see what you can load off onto someone else. This is unique for everyone, but I can give you an example. I have started paying my youngest $0.50 to microwave the bacon for every school day. Lol. He can do it the night before -- or he can do it the morning of -- but knowing that I don't even have to think about it (let alone do it) every morning when I am either A) rushing out the door to be at clinicals before the sun comes up or B ) bright eyed and bushy tailed with my coffee, ready to study -- that one little change has been HUGE for me. Seriously.

So look to lighten your own personal load everywhere you can. You are already putting a lot of pressure on yourself to do well in this program, and that will not change when it begins.

Also, feel free to PM me anytime if you need to talk. I am an "older" student, as well. I'll be graduating in December and will turn 40 in March.

Some anxiety is normal. One of my favorite memes that I've looked back to during this program says: "It's okay to be scared. Being scared means you are about to do something really, really brave."

But if it is interfering with your daily functioning, and you can't get a handle on it on your own, please don't hesitate to consider medication. When your mind is calm and you can think straight, you will be a better nurse. Whatever it takes to make that change come about. Best wishes!

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this motivated me more thanks for the encouargement and support

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It looks like this post has been appropo for the masses. It is quite timely for me, a 51 yo first term nursing student, whose first week was horrible. I have to redo 3 out of our 5 first skills and the work load is something I will have trouble navigating this first semester.

Thanks for your message!

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On 1/30/2019 at 9:03 PM, AmyJo2018 said:

It looks like this post has been appropo for the masses. It is quite timely for me, a 51 yo first term nursing student, whose first week was horrible. I have to redo 3 out of our 5 first skills and the work load is something I will have trouble navigating this first semester.

Thanks for your message!

I’m sorry to hear you are having trouble with your skills. Remember practice makes perfect ( or pretty darn close!). I’m not gonna tell you it gets easier because it won’t but you will feel a little less overwhelmed as you progress through your program. The early weeks are hard, you are doing the best you can and that’s ok. Good luck to you! ?

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