Why am I freaking out...again....

rn,lmt · Apr 10, 2005

Is this what you really want to do? If it is, would there be anyway you could work part-time at your job that you don't want to give up? Who knows, maybe nursing isn't for you. Try it. If you like it, good, if not, find something you do. Just remember, everything you do is a learning experience.

Leeleigh

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Apr 11, 2005

You can do this! You can do this! I'm sorry you're going through a rough time. When will you be starting nursing school? It can be truely frightening to have to quit your job to go to school. Do you have a family as well to support? You CAN do this! When you are having down days, just come here and hopefully we can pull you out of your slump! :icon_hug:

stressgal, RN · Apr 11, 2005

You can do it! And once you do I'll be there to tell you "I told you so!"

Just take things one day at a time and don't get overwhelmed. Nursing school is challenging and stressful, but you don't go through it alone. You'll make some great friends and of course you have support here.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2005

Maybe that is my apprehension..........I really don't know 100% sure this is what I want to do. But, my current job is just "cozy". It is not a career. It does not challenge me. Medicine interests me. My husband and I so badly want a common day off that I could really care less if I worked at Target, part time, at this point. :chuckle That is why I say, why am I freaking out?? I have saved some money, but only enough to get me by for a few months, no job. Certainly there are many people on this board pursuing a nursing education that have it MUCH WORSE than me, have no husband to help foot the bills!! I still have to come up with "X" amt of dollars though. I think I am just freaking because I don't have a job lined up for after I quit my primary job. I am looking though. Having no definite income can be super scary!!

I know all change is scary, but when you don't have a "career" to begin with, why do you still sweat it so much!!??

Thank you guys for the support. I just knew current students would understand this!

You guys should say "Get used to it!!":rotfl:

Pachinko · Apr 11, 2005

I'm sort of in the same boat as you. I've been in the workforce for ten years, with the same company the entire time. It's not my dream job by a long shot (that would be nursing), but it's comfortable and has perks I've grown to appreciate. I've worked to get into school for so long that my being accepted and knowing that I'm starting in August don't seem quite real to me. I experience a lot of anxiety now every time I hit even a small milestone--getting my financial aid package, taking my last pre-req, buying my NCLEX books.

I'm worried about the stress of nursing school and the stress of being a new graduate (reading some of the stories on this site has been an eye-opener). My partner has been so supportive of me for the last couple of years, and his reward will be at least a couple more years of my being away a lot and being a stressball when I'm home.

But I realize that nothing great comes without some sacrifice, and that's what's getting me through. I'm so proud to know that I'm becoming a nurse, and I truly believe that the rewards will far outweigh the negatives.

Remember what first interested in nursing school, and know that the anxiety is natural and will be for awhile. A few years from now, you'll be so glad you did it...it's just a matter of getting through those years! :)

You will not fail! Keep the faith!

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2005

Awwww, I'm sorry you're feeling like that right now. You definitely CAN DO IT! I don't think anyone feels 100% sure that nursing is what they want to do. I didn't. I didn't totally know what nursing was exactly, but I was ready to learn and see where it would take me. Do you have to have CNA certification for your school requirement? I think that would be a great job. The hospital here has a CNA "Flex-Aide" program. It's for nursing students and they're totally flexible with your work schedule. You tell them when you can work. It's kind of like a PRN position. You just have to work 10 hours/month, at minimum. You can work more than that. Some weeks you might not work as much, if you have tests or projects due. But other weeks might not be so busy and you can work a few more shifts. It's really a great program. Maybe the hospitals there have something like that, that you can look into? I'd definitely check into working as a CNA. It would also help you to see if nursing is really what you want to do, seeing what the nurses do and all.

Change is scary! It's normal for you to feel scared and uneasy about moving away from your comfy job now and moving into this new, different role. But in the end, it'll be better!! MOVE WITH THE CHEESE!! :)

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2005

Thank you all, you have all been so wonderfully encouraging. I am glad to know there are others out there that feel the apprehension I do.:)

CNA? Well, I took the classes, never got certified. Skills are rusty now, but I was going to get the wheels in motion to take my CNA test. I have to order the packet, pay the fee, ...yada, yada. I will have to re-read my CNA book and try to brush up on skills. Once school starts I can use the nursing lab for that. We'll see.

Nursing school, here I come. :uhoh21:

gchickie · Apr 12, 2005

thrashej & Pachinko-

I know EXACTLY what you're going through. I've been at my job (not a career by any means either) for 10 years too, starting nursing school in August, and will have to quit & find something to help support myself and my husband while in school. I'm also getting involved in all the overwhelming financial aid, the scholarship applications, and so on. You are NOT alone...I feel scared, crazy excited, and nervous about this every day...as does my husband. Somehow, it will work itself out. (at least, that's what I keep telling myself)

sheri_u2 · Apr 12, 2005

I have serious mental issues.
I tell you...the closer and closer I get to nursing school and the closer and closer I get to quitting my day job, the more crazy I get!
I know my current job is not going anywhere, I know that nursing has so many more opportunities, I have planned and planned for this but I just can't calm down! I feel like everytime I get close I start sabotaging myself. I am even reading "Maximum Achievement" by Brian Tracy to get my head in line. I KNOW I can do this yet I am so afraid to fail and have everyone say "I told you so".
Well, just a vent. I guess I'll go and repeat over and over to myself "You can do this" "You can do this" "You are smart" "You are smart":rotfl:
My life will never change if I don't change it, right?:stone

Nice to hear I'm not the only one who feels they have issues. All I wanted to do was "get in" to a program. Now I'm deciding between two of them and I'm terrified. I keep telling my fiance that I think I need to go on anti-anxiety meds. or something cause it is just not normal to be "worried" every waking moment of the day. Some days are o.k. but for the most part, I'm a stressball. I don't know how anyone can work at all during nursing school after hearing all the horror stories of stress on this site. Many people do it though, I've worked with a few of them. Personally, I'll be paying my carpayment with credit cards :uhoh21: No joke. Very scary. Well, we can't stop now, we've come this far! Even if we lose our minds getting there. I should probably print some of these venting session for my husband to be so he knows I'm not really insane. :)

studious · Apr 12, 2005

Hi there,

I'm a full time staff nurse at the moment, I'm also studyng part time to get my degree. I left school in Scotland with no qualifications AT ALL, and decided to go into nursing at 24 years old after several years of flying by the seat of my pants. I have no husband or partner, and am funding my own education. If it wasn't for the folks I've met along the way, encouraging me, and telling me that I do indeed have a brain, I don't know where I'd be right now.

YES! YOU CAN DO IT, believe in yourself, it will get scary at times. Hell, life is not a bed of roses. However, you can always come here for support if you need it. Don't give up, if this brainless wonder can do it, anyone can. Your confidence will soar, when you get your first pass or merit. Living on beans and toast for a while ain't so bad compared to the laughs and fun you will have on your journey. Take care and all the very best from Scotland XXXX.

CCU NRS · Apr 12, 2005

Maybe that is my apprehension..........I really don't know 100% sure this is what I want to do. But, my current job is just "cozy". It is not a career. It does not challenge me. Medicine interests me. My husband and I so badly want a common day off that I could really care less if I worked at Target, part time, at this point. :chuckle That is why I say, why am I freaking out?? I have saved some money, but only enough to get me by for a few months, no job. Certainly there are many people on this board pursuing a nursing education that have it MUCH WORSE than me, have no husband to help foot the bills!! I still have to come up with "X" amt of dollars though. I think I am just freaking because I don't have a job lined up for after I quit my primary job. I am looking though. Having no definite income can be super scary!!
I know all change is scary, but when you don't have a "career" to begin with, why do you still sweat it so much!!??
Thank you guys for the support. I just knew current students would understand this!
You guys should say "Get used to it!!":rotfl:

Look into nurse apprentice situations in your area, many time a facility will hire you as a tech you will probably have to get a CNA certification but then you could work with a fcility that might be willing to bend around your schedule some to accomodate nursing in the hopes that they will have a new nurse when you graduate.