New Student Anxiety: So I got some of my textbooks...

Debbie5 · Aug 14, 2002

I am new to the medical field also. I still have a year or so before I begin nursing school. Someone told me I should volunteer or shadow a nurse first to get my feet wet. I am planning to. I am also a member of our health club at school. We visit nursing schools, med schools, plus many others. That helps.

I'm sure you will be fine. Just be friendly and remember, most of the students probably don't know anyone else either.

Mkue · Aug 14, 2002

Before you know it all of those feelings will be gone !!! We all have to start somewhere right?

Good Luck :)

Hooligan · Aug 14, 2002

I can really relate to a lot of your fears...I think we all have them! Just relax...everything will be great! You'll see!

researchrabbit · Aug 14, 2002

Look in your mirror and say this out loud, EVERY MORNING...

"I am worthy! I can do it!"

:)

PS I am not kidding, this will help you amazingly! I know you'll do well (and I don't even know you)!

amblessing · Aug 14, 2002

Originally posted by dianacs
No one can possibly be more of a newbie to the healthcare field than me.

Move over!! Is there room for one more?? I have never taken anyones BP or given anyone a shot before:eek: We'll be fine :) :) :)

Love-A-Nurse · Aug 14, 2002

originally posted by dianacs
and wow, do i have a lot to learn (1st semester nursing program)! i hope that eventually i will fall into a "groove" and all this material will come together and make sense. but right now it might as well be a foreign language.

more anxiety: we have to watch videos outside of class. i was hoping to go when my son is in preschool in the mornings, but the nursing lab isn't open then. so, guess i'll be going at night...i hate to take away from any more "family time" than i already am though.

still more anxiety: i hope i will like my classmates. i hope they will like me. i've always been kind of shy and i know no one in my program so this is making me a bit nervous.

and now, the silliest thing of all: i feel like a big old fake! i have a brand-new stethoscope and i've never even used a stethoscope before. i have new scrubs and new shoes and it's going to make me look like i know what i'm doing but i don't!

no one can possibly be more of a newbie to the healthcare field than me.

but they wouldn't have accepted me if they thought i didn't have what it takes. and i have no bad habits or shortcuts to unlearn.

taking deep breaths now...thanks for listening. i hope that in a month or so i can look back and laugh about my feelings right now!

believe me, no one expects you to know everything even if you had worked in the "field" before. your name tag will say "student nurse" and people will expect you to learn and grow. everyone needs their "tool" when they go on their job whether it is for the first time or the 101 time or whether they know how to use them or not.

we are here if you need us and you will do fine. (((((hugs)))))

Gator,SN · Aug 14, 2002

Dianacs,

I think that just about everyone feels the way that you are feeling the first few weeks of school. Even the students that are CNA's etc.. feel like this is stressful.

Just take it all one day at a time. No one knows everything otherwise they wouldn't be in school.

the basic things will be a breeze, believe me! Before long you will look back on this and be able to relax and laugh becuase you will be so proud of how far you have come in such a short time!

Take a deep breath and be yourself. I am sure that you will make friends quickly, as nursing students usually become a "group" all to themsleves. These classmates will all be going through the same things and after a while you come to rely on each other, and will probably make some lasting friendships. :)

I wish you all the best! Everything will be fine!

Gator

Ortho_RN · Aug 14, 2002

I agree with what everyone else said.... We are all nervous until we get into the groove, and heck some of us still get butterflies.. I am starting my 2nd semester, and I am really excited, but there will always still be the case of the jitters, especially before every test and skills check off... And as far as looking like you know everything but don't... If the people that were in nursing school knew it all then they probably wouldn't be there... We had people who had NO medical background or knowledge and did wonderful.. And we had some that work at a hospital fail... So don't freak out TOO much... Just don't get behind and ENJOY nursing school...

studentdeb · Aug 15, 2002

I complete understand what you feeling. I sit here and look at all these books and wonder how the heck I will do it. I try to remember that I am not the first nursing student and so many have made it before me so I know it can be done.

Good luck, I am sure you will do fine.

Love-A-Nurse · Aug 15, 2002

originally posted by studentdeb
...i try to remember that i am not the first nursing student and so many have made it before me so i know it can be done...

deb, what great words of wisdom and i will too remember this because i am nervous too. i know, i post positive to others, but i need some one to "preach" to me too. thanks!

emily_mom · Aug 16, 2002

You guys will do just fine!!! The first instructors you have are usually the nicest you will encounter during your school experience. They know you haven't done this before and really work with you. They also don't laugh when you make mistakes.

Your fellow classmates will become your closest confidantes. They are the only ones who know what you are going through.

One word of advice...make sure your earpieces of the steth are facing forward (we had an instructor that rolled her eyes everytime someone said, "I can't hear anything") I have to laugh now looking back on that!!

Kristy