Getting cold feet....

Nursing Students General Students

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:imbar Well here it is 4 weeks until I begin my classes and I feel like I am getting cold feet and ready to turn and run the other way. Wondering if I will like it, can handle it etc. etc.

Anyone else having these feelings? or have had these feelings? How do/did you get through it?

Debi

Hi Debi,

I am glad to hear you say that you are having cold feet...I thought it was just me! I have 4 weeks also and I keep thinking that I will get a letter in the mail saying that my nursing school made a mistake...that they don't want me after all. :eek:

I am hoping these feelings will soon subside.

Tonya

Deb, I think that is a normal feeling. You will have a busy year with school, kids and job....but you won't be the first. I had a friend that went to nursing school with 3 kids at home, and a job... she also had to drive an hour each way to get to school...it was hard, and she had to give up a lot, and the kids were not always happy about it, but she did it. Just decide if you think you can do it and don't look back. You still have time to drop a class now if you think it will be too much.

I think fear is normal though. I don't have kids at home and no job, and I am still scared to death. I go to the schools web site and look at my schedule and almost have a panic attack!!

Toyna, I know what you mean about the letter...when I went to my nursing orientation meeting I just knew that they were going to tell me I was not on the class list! I think this nervous feeling will end a year or two AFTER graduation!

what you are feeling is completely normal. I and many of my friends went through the same thing 1 year ago.

one of the biggest things you will learn in school is how to prioritize. manage your life outside of school in the same way. do what is the most important to you first and you will be fine.

good luck!

Hi Debi,

I'm one of several Debbie members. You will be fine. I have a question though. Are you starting pre-nursing courses or actual nursing classes? Some suggestions to ease the tension:

If you haven't already done so, go to the campus and find all your classrooms, library, labs, bathrooms, bookstore, etc...

Go ahead and purchase your books if you have the resources. I always enjoy looking through mine before school starts.

Go to the division office of your classes and ask to see a copy of the syllabus from your instructors so you can get an idea of what will be required during the semester. If the instructors haven't turned in their fall copies, you can check the most recent. They usually do not change things up too much. Look for things like, how many tests are given, how many papers will be written, does the instructor give pop quizzes, and their grading system. I have already gotten a copy of the syllabus for each of my classes, and now I know I will be able to handle it (I have three papers to write in my World Lit. class). My Algebra instructor has an outline of the chapter's we will be doing, so I've already reviewed the first two chapters.

Go ahead and make a mock weekly schedule of a typical week. Put all the things that will not change, like class times, church, meals, kids practices or other set things. Fill in your study time, approx. 2 hours for every hour spent in class, for instance if you are in class three hours a week for algebra, you will need to allow six hours extra for study (this is a general guideline). I am taking fourteen credit hours this semester so I have blocked out twenty eight hours of study time a week.

I have found if I spend a little time doing the above things, I can tell whether it is realistic for me.

I have many people from this nursing site to thank for their many ideas!!

Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

you are not alone. i am filled with many emotions too. all the best and as always, keep the faith!

Originally posted by Debbie5

Hi Debi,

I'm one of several Debbie members. You will be fine. I have a question though. Are you starting pre-nursing courses or actual nursing classes? Some suggestions to ease the tension:

If you haven't already done so, go to the campus and find all your classrooms, library, labs, bathrooms, bookstore, etc...

Go ahead and purchase your books if you have the resources. I always enjoy looking through mine before school starts.

Go to the division office of your classes and ask to see a copy of the syllabus from your instructors so you can get an idea of what will be required during the semester. If the instructors haven't turned in their fall copies, you can check the most recent. They usually do not change things up too much. Look for things like, how many tests are given, how many papers will be written, does the instructor give pop quizzes, and their grading system. I have already gotten a copy of the syllabus for each of my classes, and now I know I will be able to handle it (I have three papers to write in my World Lit. class). My Algebra instructor has an outline of the chapter's we will be doing, so I've already reviewed the first two chapters.

Go ahead and make a mock weekly schedule of a typical week. Put all the things that will not change, like class times, church, meals, kids practices or other set things. Fill in your study time, approx. 2 hours for every hour spent in class, for instance if you are in class three hours a week for algebra, you will need to allow six hours extra for study (this is a general guideline). I am taking fourteen credit hours this semester so I have blocked out twenty eight hours of study time a week.

I have found if I spend a little time doing the above things, I can tell whether it is realistic for me.

I have many people from this nursing site to thank for their many ideas!!

Hi Debbie,

I will be taking two nursing courses (1 with a lab, but no clinicals), A&P I and Human Growth & Develop (internet course). I have the syllabus for the Human Growth and have already started the assignments. I figure in 4 weeks, I should have all the righting assignments done and will just have 3 test to complete. I believe I will have 11 credits. I'm pretty sure I can do with the jump on the one course and I plan to go next week to buy my books to get a review going.

I am worried I will not be able to do things like medication stuff or mess up on the A&P courses. I'm sure it is just jitters.

It is nice to know that others feel the same way.

thanks

Debi

originally posted by lpn,future, rn

you are not alone. i am filled with many emotions too. all the best and as always, keep the faith!

thanks stephany!!

Originally posted by Rena RN 2003

what you are feeling is completely normal. I and many of my friends went through the same thing 1 year ago.

one of the biggest things you will learn in school is how to prioritize. manage your life outside of school in the same way. do what is the most important to you first and you will be fine.

good luck!

Thanks Rena, It's good to hear from others who are 1 year ahead. I know that if others can do, I can too.

Debi

Originally posted by SusanRN2004

Deb, I think that is a normal feeling. You will have a busy year with school, kids and job....but you won't be the first. I had a friend that went to nursing school with 3 kids at home, and a job... she also had to drive an hour each way to get to school...it was hard, and she had to give up a lot, and the kids were not always happy about it, but she did it. Just decide if you think you can do it and don't look back. You still have time to drop a class now if you think it will be too much.

I think fear is normal though. I don't have kids at home and no job, and I am still scared to death. I go to the schools web site and look at my schedule and almost have a panic attack!!

Toyna, I know what you mean about the letter...when I went to my nursing orientation meeting I just knew that they were going to tell me I was not on the class list! I think this nervous feeling will end a year or two AFTER graduation!

Thanks Susan. I haven't had an orientation yet. I hope we have one, but I haven't heard anything as of yet. Maybe that would make me feel better. I am still working, mostly 3 days a week, but I am a full-timer. I am holding on to my job hoping they offer a buyout this fall and that way I would have a "cushion" in the bank to get us through. In the meantime, I will try to go to work as much as I can. If I can't do it and they not offer a buyout in Sept, I will take a leave of absence until they do unless I mess up in school, then I would go back to work.

Thanks Again

Debi

Originally posted by TCW

Hi Debi,

I am glad to hear you say that you are having cold feet...I thought it was just me! I have 4 weeks also and I keep thinking that I will get a letter in the mail saying that my nursing school made a mistake...that they don't want me after all. :eek:

I am hoping these feelings will soon subside.

Tonya

We are in the same boat, then. I hope the feelings subside also.

Debi

You will all be fine...I promise.....

Just don't quit....don't ever give up.....you can do this......

As a member of this board says...."Keep the Faith!"

Julie :)

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