First day of class tomorrow... VERY NERVOUS!

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So, tomorrow is my first official day of class :yeah:. I had orientation last week. I got all my books, a reading assignment, and a list of supplies I should get. They also told us that we were given a week between orientation and the first day of class to decide if this is something we really wanted to do, because statistics show that only half of us would make it through to graduation :eek:. I'm not gonna lie, that made me think twice, but I would never forgive myself if I didn't give nursing a try because I was afraid of failing. Looking around, there were a few people that (God forgive me!) didn't seem very bright. Once that thought came into my mind I told myself, "Well, they all passed the same test you did to get here so at this point they are no more or less brighter than you are..." I'm just nervous because I bet all the people there are telling themselves, "Oh that won't be me. I'm gonna make it. I'm gonna be one of those who fight through until the very end!" I'm telling myself the same thing... but we're not all gonna make it :crying2:...

I feel like I don't have a choice when it comes to passing or failing. My husband and my daughters are depending on me. My husband tells me that I was made for this... That nursing will fit me like a glove. That I will be successful. I hope I don't let him down! I hope I don't let myself down! I've been waiting two years for this and now I'm doubting myself... Do all nursing students go through this :uhoh3:? Is this a normal feeling to have :confused:? For those of you who made it, how did you build confidence and battle the self doubt? I just want to be successful... Just like the vast majority of us do :nurse:.

TIA

-Alex

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Well youve accomplished one battle, that is getting in a program and meeting the requirements. Now comes the next battle, passing and staying in school! I felt the same way as you and was terrified of failing and letting my friends and family down or washing out. Just make school your life. Develop rock solid study habit. For me, it seemed like I put blood, sweat, and tears into studying and sometimes only barely passed the tests and other students did same thing but failed, putting so much effort and getting low grades is self esteem smasher to me. However, this might happen to you so just dig down deeper and study harder and never give up. And if it happens again, work even harder next time. Thats what I did and I am still alive and well in program! Best of luck!

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Well youve accomplished one battle, that is getting in a program and meeting the requirements. Now comes the next battle, passing and staying in school! I felt the same way as you and was terrified of failing and letting my friends and family down or washing out. Just make school your life. Develop rock solid study habit. For me, it seemed like I put blood, sweat, and tears into studying and sometimes only barely passed the tests and other students did same thing but failed, putting so much effort and getting low grades is self esteem smasher to me. However, this might happen to you so just dig down deeper and study harder and never give up. And if it happens again, work even harder next time. Thats what I did and I am still alive and well in program! Best of luck!

Thank you so much!

It seems as though the magical answer to all of this is STUDY, STUDY, STUDY (lol)!! I guess I have to give it my best and prepare for the worst. Best of luck to you also! Do you have much longer until graduation??

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Pretty much cant go wrong with more studying :) Tomorrow my last clinical day and lecture exam this monday then im finnished with LPN (woo hoo). I get my final evaluation tomorrow and cant wait till day over! I get a few weeks off which is great then school starts again...this decemeber is RN if all goes well!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, OB/GYN, ER, Geriatrics.

Get all the "stinkin thinkin" out of your mind! Be determined that you are going to make it and don't doubt yourself. Do not compare yourself to no one as everyone is on the same level as you. Yes, it is true that a lot of people do not make it to the end and every person that is dropped from my program reminds me that I need to study that much harder. Stay focused on the goal at hand, do not get rapped up in the drama, form strong study habits, and go for it!

I am one semester away from graduating and just the thought frightens me....congrats on getting into ns and look forward to hearing how you are progressing.:nurse:

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I am going to school right now to become an LPN and I am currently half way through the program. It's perfectly normal to feel nervous at first, I know I was when I started! The main thing is you have to study study study. On some days I study for hours on end. I have a son and I feel horrible because I don't get to spend as much time as I would like to since I am going to school and working, but I know it will all be worth it in the end. When things get hard and frustrating, I think of my future and how I am not only doing this for myself, but for my family too. In class or at clinical, once I walk through the door I push my family life or problems in the back of my head and just concentrate on what I am learning and doing. You really need to concentrate and be dedicated. Have confidence!!! I never thought I was smart enough or could do this and I had some doubts at first. Now I am half way through the program with perfect attendance and good grades. You just have to believe in yourself and really want it :nurse: Good luck to you, you can do it!

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Get all the "stinkin thinkin" out of your mind! Be determined that you are going to make it and don't doubt yourself. Do not compare yourself to no one as everyone is on the same level as you. Yes, it is true that a lot of people do not make it to the end and every person that is dropped from my program reminds me that I need to study that much harder. Stay focused on the goal at hand, do not get rapped up in the drama, form strong study habits, and go for it!

I am one semester away from graduating and just the thought frightens me....congrats on getting into ns and look forward to hearing how you are progressing.:nurse:

Thanks so much! I know that when it's all done and over with, I'm going to look back and laugh at myself :lol2:. My plan is to stick to myself, study every chance I get, and stay healthy throughout ns. My first day was pretty awesome, and I've found the material to be very interesting:up:. I actually remember a lot of it from H.S. so I'm so relieved! Yey!! :yeah: Definitely falling in love with this profession... Good luck and congrats on your fast approaching graduation date! :)

I am going to school right now to become an LPN and I am currently half way through the program. It's perfectly normal to feel nervous at first, I know I was when I started! The main thing is you have to study study study. On some days I study for hours on end. I have a son and I feel horrible because I don't get to spend as much time as I would like to since I am going to school and working, but I know it will all be worth it in the end. When things get hard and frustrating, I think of my future and how I am not only doing this for myself, but for my family too. In class or at clinical, once I walk through the door I push my family life or problems in the back of my head and just concentrate on what I am learning and doing. You really need to concentrate and be dedicated. Have confidence!!! I never thought I was smart enough or could do this and I had some doubts at first. Now I am half way through the program with perfect attendance and good grades. You just have to believe in yourself and really want it :nurse: Good luck to you, you can do it!

Thanks!! I'm also a mom. I have two little girls who have never gone a day without me (stay at home mom) so this has been quite the experience. I missed them terribly my first day!! Daddy is the one who gives them dinner, bathes them, reads them books, and all that fun stuff now that I'm in school :crying2:... I'm gonna miss that for the next 18 months! But like you said I have to push those thoughts out of my mind and focus on my studies. I know it's not forever. This is going to be great for us and our future. When all is said and done, we are doing this not only for ourselves but for our children, too, and they will see that :D. Good luck with the rest of your studies!

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Everyone feels that way at first. Find yourself a good study group, or start one. A study group is the only way that I can survive. I have never studied so hard and then felt so stupid on tests. Nursing school is unlike any other school that I have ever had. I still love it, in spite of my, ahem..., "challanging" clinical instructor.

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hi i'm in term 1 for the lvn program......no life anymore. its books, studying, study groups and that's all. i have a daughter too.... let us know how it goes! we were meant to be a great nurse! i had doubts, too at first when i first started but as soon as i started passing my exams. i know this is "me", this my "future", this what has been burning inside me for years ready as can be, i started and half ways to term 2.....good luck!:lol2:

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hi i'm in term 1 for the lvn program......no life anymore. its books, studying, study groups and that's all. i have a daughter too.... let us know how it goes! we were meant to be a great nurse! i had doubts, too at first when i first started but as soon as i started passing my exams. i know this is "me", this my "future", this what has been burning inside me for years ready as can be, i started and half ways to term 2.....good luck!:lol2:

i totally get what you mean! i've had about 4 quizzes so far, and have gotten all either 100% or 95%. it's definitely given a boost to my confidence. before i kept thinking, "will i do well?" now i know and i'm saying "i'm doing well!!!" :D. i'm settling into a routine that leaves me plenty of time to study and i am really enjoying all that we're learning. i have a&p for two more weeks and then i'm on to whatever is next! i've been told that once you get through a&p you're in the clear. i hope that's true!! my husband and i have so much to talk about, and we actually get the chance to miss each other. i hug and kiss my girls a little more. i've never been this happy and secure in all my life! i'm so glad that i took the chance and made the decision to go to nursing school. it's definitely my "thing" ;)...

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Have you bought any supplemental books? If so, which ones?

Keep up the good work!

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Specializes in IMCU.

I love my challenging instructors. She knows her stuff and she pushes my to my limit. So don't worry about them they will only make you a better nurse.

caveat...unless the instructor is insane. Then you need to keep your head down but you still need to work just as hard.

You'll love it. Congrats and welcome to the club.

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