So nervous for first day.... Anyone else also? Or anyone who can help me relax?

suzy253, RN · Sep 8, 2006

Totally normal so don't worry about yourself being abnormal in any way. Venturing into a new experience can be nerve wracking. I'm sure things will fall into place soon enough. Good luck!

Kino · Sep 9, 2006

I was nervous too on my first day of lecture and then again on my first day of skills. (combination of starting the program and new school) It's normal though and most everyone else is just as nervous about their first day.

My class has people of all ages, so don't stress out about being 24, which no one will even care about.

all4schwa · Sep 9, 2006

all days pass into the next, just like the last. and you never get over 'that' feeling. there's always something to feel that way about. learn how to deal with ' that' feeling. i choose simple meditations and breathing exercises.

JennyRN09 · Sep 9, 2006

i was nervous for weeks before i started my first day which was this past wednesday. oddly enough, tuesday night my nerves completely calmed and i was sound asleep by 9:30pm. but, then i woke up at 4am and couldn't get back to sleep because my stomach was in knots, my head was pounding, i was running around like an idiot thinking i forgot something, freaked out that i messed up on the date for the start of classes and convinced myself that i missed it (even though i knew i didn't and had a schedule right in front of me), then it went to wondering if i had the right time, etc., etc., you get the picture. in other words, its perfectly normal to be nervous. we've all worked so hard to get to this point and we want to do our very best. after the day was over, i said to myself, "one day down, one day closer to becoming a nurse". and that's how i'm going to try to continue to look at it, one day at a time, just another day closer to my goal. good luck! you'll do fine!

janet

MMARN, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2006

Aw, don't be scared. It is overwhelming, but you learn and gain so much, that the small fear you feel gets lost in the excitement. It is such an amazing experience, that you will lose all fear. There will always be nerves (I'm in my second semester, and everytime I go to the hospital for clinical, I always get butterflies in my stomach) but the trick is to never let them overrule your skills, concentration, and, most importantly, the safety and care of the patient. Enjoy every minute of it. The sweat, tears, and nerves will come, but the rewards far outweigh everything else. Good luck!