Fear of failure?

Sour Lemon · Sep 10, 2018

Hey guys! This is my first post ever on allnurses, although I've been on it multiple times seeking advice from others who were once or are in my nursing shoes!
I am starting week 3 of of a BSN program tomorrow, and while I sometimes feel confident, on the other hand I'm scared to death of FAILING. I have been a CNA for 10 years, and have heard horror stories of nursing school, and so I think I have this idea that I will surely fail.
Does anyone have advice on how to accept these fears but to not let it get me down?
I work a 12 hour shift every Saturday, and my program is pretty heavy with classes Monday-Friday. I have my first test in Pharmacology this coming Friday.. and I have no idea what to expect with nursing tests.
Thanks in advance!

Most people don't fail. Just jump through the hoops and don't argue with your teachers. Exams are multiple choice, so even if you have no idea what the answer is, you've got a chance.

TriciaJ, RN · Sep 10, 2018

Look at all the people who have already graduated from your program. Is every one of them smarter than you? Unlikely. You got great advice from Sour Lemon. That fact that you're even worried and not cocky and overconfident is already a good sign. I'm rooting for you.

Swirl531, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2018

Thank you. Those are good points. I'm very glad there are no essay type questions... I will take your advice and just go with the flow!

TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN · Sep 10, 2018

Look up the horror stories of coworkers from people working in nursing.

Then just keep reminding yourself: Those coworkers passed. If they can do it, anyone has the potential to do it, it's all up to how seriously you take it.

Juliemm75, LPN · Sep 11, 2018

All great advice! But let me just add one more thing.... if you fail a class, you pick yourself right back up and TRY AGAIN!! Not everyone makes it all the way through without failing a class. But you can't let it keep you from your dream, from keeping you down. I am speaking from experience. If most everyone who attempts nursing school can do this, YOU CAN TOO!! Best of luck to you!!!

EmDash · Sep 11, 2018

Idk if this will help you since I've got my own neurotic ways of looking at things, but for me, I think about that fact that worrying about something and being scared of some possible outcome doesn't actually help anything. It doesn't make me more likely to not fail. It doesn't make me happier. It's just wasted energy and time, and if anything, makes me more likely to fail. So, there's no point in allowing myself to focus on it when there is no purpose. If I'm magically going to fail despite putting all my time and effort into something, whether or not I worry, then I might as well fail happy rather than stressing the whole time.

(But I don't think you'll fail anyway. Just put your energy into studying and determine how you need to approach the material, and you'll be good.)

FutureNurseInfo · Sep 11, 2018

As I was reading your post I thought you might be in my program. I am going into week 3 as well, and will be taking my first round of nursing exams in a couple of weeks. I have been through bachelor's and master's programs and did well, but I know nursing is a completely different type of learning and education! I do agree with Glucagon that worrying is a lot of wasted time and energy, but it is easier said than done! I keep thinking that I do not studying enough. I do feel after the first exams I will have a better picture of what to expect. I guess try not to stress much and do your best, and once you take your first exam you will have a better idea!

Swirl531, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2018

Aww, thank you all so much for responding to my anxious heart.. and for settling my nerves! I agree with all of you, and I'm going to try to do better at taking it one step at a time instead of one mountain at a time. :) I will let you all know how the first test goes. FutureNurseInfo, I wish you the best of luck in your program too!

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2018

A little bit of anxiety is actually helpful for learning. Minor anxiety makes you more alert, more attentive to detail, and faster at processing things. Science backed info right there! However, too much anxiety makes you freeze up, and less able to problem solve.

So, when I felt nervous I would think-- oh look here is my best time to study. Then I would make flashcards or read my textbook or do homework until I got tired of it.

Studying also helps to build on the self esteem you need to keep your anxiety at bay. Because the more you study, the better you will do and the better you do the better you will feel about your abilities.

As much as you can, use your work time to expose yourself to nursing in general, and specifically to things you are learning in class.

Good luck on your first exam. In the case that you do not do well on it, see it as a learning opportunity. Go over each question you got wrong and why. Go to your school's academic tutoring program. Be willing to learn right from the beginning and you will start preparing yourself for nursing, which is a career that requires life long learning.

Swirl531, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2018

Hey there! It's funny you said that, because I remember my dad always telling me that- it's a theory or something right? A little anxiety can actually be turned in to "positive nervousness" that actually helps you think more clearly and do better. Thank you for your advice.

Chrispy11, ASN, RN · Sep 15, 2018

It's trying to be sure. I just graduated and almost every one of my class mates had that one exam that they feel the grade did not reflect the amount of studying. I cannot stress practice questions enough. Get a book for Fundamentals and then an NCLEX style book for subsequent semesters. First it breaks down those huge chapters to easier to absorb blocks of info. Then it helps you answer questions. You need to pick the "Best" answer. You'll hear that quite often in the years to come.

Best of luck to you.