Had orientation yesterday! Now I'm Scared!

[bethg5]

I had orientation yesterday, and of course, I was not able to sleep for the last two days prior to going. I am so scared! The director who gave the orientation was a very sweet, funny lady. But she was brutely honest! I just kept wondering how in the world I am going to blend my family with school. I have been taking classes for 4 years now and have made it work great(was going for education and switched to nursing). I just didn't think about how I was doing it. For some reason I can't seem to do that now. All I constantly stress about is making it work. The real shocker was getting our syllabus and it having all these extra hours before and after class that we have to be present for. I know it is to benefit us, as students, but it was a shocker.

Part way through orientation I actually felt sick, had a severe headache, and thought to myself about leaving. We also had to attend an evening orientation, and I talked to several women who seem to be pretty stressed also. I don't know but two people out of the 40 who made the program. No one that I took pre-req. with made it. I am shy so that doesn't help, and we live in a small town so people have already formed their groups(I just moved here last year). It felt like the first day of highschool. LOL

Well, any insights or suggestions will be accepted with open arms.

Beth

[Annabelle57]

Hang in there!

I started an accelerated BSN program this May, and I was absolutely terrified during orientation! I was actually feeling pretty good until about ten minutes before the whole thing started... and I realized that I didn't know a soul in the room AND it was looking like more than I could handle. The workload, the class & clinical schedule, the unbelievable expectations - agh!

Being a semi-shy introvert myself, here's what I did: first day, during the orientation, I introduced myself (a bold move for shy me) to the girl next to me. Turns out she was as nervous as I was, also didn't know anyone, and became a good friend. Made myself do the same thing the next day and found another scared-but-nice friend. Most people are freaked out, too, and if nothing else, it's a common bond and a conversation starter

In regards to the other freaky aspects: yes, it does seem scary, especially during orientation. It's all new, and you haven't really established that routine yet. The first week or so of my program, all 50-something of us were walking around like deer in the headlights... but I promise you, it does get better. You start feeling less scared and more confident, and you get into that routine. Granted, it's still hard, and you'll feel like you live at school, but it will start to become more and more "normal". And one great benefit of all those hours put in at school: you make some terrific friends (you practically live with them!). We are all going through the same program, the same ups and downs, the same assignments, and at least at our school, we look out for each other, for the most part. Find a group of people you feel comfortable with and get a study group together!

You CAN make it work. These are going to be difficult classes, and already, I've shed some tears and felt the frustration of feeling like I only live to study and produce papers. But it is 100% worth it, and the benefits in the end vastly outweigh the negatives. Remember, it's only for a temporary period of time... and then you can take the NCLEX and claim your license and do what you love.

Best wishes!

A

[fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN]

I am introverted also, and I have to keep reminding myself to speak up, join in and most importantly, say yes when asked to join study groups, go to lunch, or parties. It really makes a difference. As hard as it is, try to talk to everyone and you will be surprised how accepting they are - you already have alot in common! I think everyone is freaked out between orientation and class starting, just take some deep breaths and talk to your family about your concerns about balancing your life. Make a plan to set time aside each week and stick to it. No one says it is easy, but it can be done. Good luck!