Emotional Rollercoaster

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for those of you getting ready to enter nursing school in the coming weeks, are you experiencing an emotional rollercoaster?

there are times when i feel confident and prepared. i have all the supplies (based on the huge thread on here about what to get and based off my nursing orientation session.) ready to go. i know i have the intellect (my dad is in mensa and wants my siblings and i to take the test to get in. a few years ago my iq was 139.) however, with intellect usually comes a little bit of insanity.

and that leads to the next emotion of scared i can't make it, can't stick it out in the dark and stressful days i know are soon to come.

and then i get excited and happy in anticipation of learning something i've always been interested in. i'm excited to experience the medical profession on the side other than being the patient. i get to help! at last i'm getting a chance to succeed at something in life. (i hope... and back to the doubting i swing! sigh)

but then there is the terrified feelings of "what the he!! have i gotten myself into" and "how am i possibly going to afford this"

the list goes on, and its constantly changing how i "feel". anybody else having these emotions? other emotions? does this emotional rollercoaster end? if so, when?

please share on here so i don't feel so alone!

thanks,

sandanrn

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From someone starting a BSN program this fall, I too have a wide range of emotions. More than anything, I just want to start already!! I am such a nerd and am so excited to cover nursing material, even though I have heard the theory can be a little dry. But I am also beyond scared that after I graduate I won't be able to find a job and pay off my increasing school debt. Plus, I am book smart but my common sense can be lacking. So I think it's completely normal to experience all kinds of feelings before starting such a big chapter. Best of luck to you : )

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

You think too much. Sit back and relax... nursing school is in itself a rollercoaster, so I recommend that you try the bumper cars--- sit in the driver's seat before you sit on the REAL rollercoaster that you'll have no control over (well, maybe a little bit ;)).

CHILL!

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I will be starting a BSN program this fall (but not until September!) and I swear I wake up everyday more and more terrified. I am leaving a well paying job with amazing benefits to do this and emptying out my 401k and taking out more student loans to pay for everything (I am a second degree student).

On the other hand, I am very excited to be moving to a bigger city, to be attending a very well known nursing program, and to meet my classmates and professors. I've always wanted to "move away" for school and I'm finally doing it at 29 years old. You are not alone!

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Yes. My emotions change on a daily basis. Very normal :) The closer it gets...the more more "real" it gets..

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I feel the same way as you do. I'll be starting my education at the end of August and my emotions are very mixed. I have to quit my job and live off of a very small allowance from student loans. I know that my sacrifice will pay off in the end but starting all over is scary and exciting at the same time. Thankfully I have friends and family that support me and are there when I need them. Good luck to you and congrats for making it this far.:)

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Specializes in CNA (Stroke, Neuro, LTC), Volunteer.

I too have been having rollercoaster emotions!! First I was on cloud nine and so excited. Then I started doubting myself, then I got excited. Now I got all my school supplies and I am so excited, but I'm terrified something is going to go wrong. I got to this point, and it is meant to be and I know I will succeed but I am absolutely terrified that something will go wrong and I won't succeed in this dream :)

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Ummm yeah I'm pretty much in the same boat as you OP! Don't worry, you're definitely not alone ;)

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ah yeah im studying atm for my bsn and before I started I was excited, delighted,happy,scared, nervous,worried and a bit sad to be leaving high school! Though within a few weeks all I had were positive emotions regarding nursing school and then I started to get a bit nervous coming up to clinicals and to me that is where the emotional rollercoaster REALLY begins because you have so many intense emotions(both good and not so nice) because you are IN situations, REAL situations with REAL patients. So far nursing school has been an almost positive great experience though as you said there are stressful days BUT because you see the good days and how great and fun nursing school is, you do stick it out. Just don't forget that you can make new friends too!! I've made lots of great new friends. They are the ones you can ring at 12am for questions you might have about tests. They are the ones that are going through what you are going through and understand that its not easy. They are the ones you can talk to (obviously you stil have to keep patient confidentiality) but they are the ones that you can laugh with and cry with and get a hug from when you are down and they truly understand because they are going throught it too! It doesnt have to be ALL work, no play either. You can have a social life and go to the movies and for a night out IF you keep on top of your work. Do this by working consistently. I was able to have a social life AND pass my exams :) Sorry I went off on a bit of a tangent there. Anyways to answer your question, I don't think the rollercoaster ends. NS is starting back soon for me and I am really excited but I am a bit nervous about clinicals - even though I know everything will be fine :) I think the rollercoaster slows down every now and again but if we weren't on the rollercoaster...I don't think NS would be AS great and fun as it is! best of luck!!!! :D

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Thank you all!

sandan rnstudent

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