Getting a little scared.....

~MIA~, ASN, RN · Feb 7, 2009

You can do it!! It IS scary when you don't know what to expect...but it definitely gets better. It is very overwhelming at first (and sometimes along the way) but just remember that MANY have done it before you and survived. Just keep yourself grounded and know that there is an end to the craziness.

Honestly, it FLEW by pretty fast! I can say that now...LOL!! :tbsk:

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

You have to study. I hear a lot of people in my class talking about how they don't understand why they aren't doing well, thn come to find out they don't study nearly enough. At least 3 hours a day every day period. Read ahead. Do all assignments as soon as you can. Sleep as much as you can. Cook on the weekends and get organized in your meals, laundry, etc. Practice lab skills weekly and more if you can. Use all resources, such as any CD's that come with your book, do the questions at the end of the chapters, buy and do all study guides even if they aren't required. Learn how to take NCLEX style tests and practice practice practice. Good luck, it's not easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is! :redpinkhe Personally, I love the challenge!!

ybstressed, LVN · Feb 8, 2009

DO NOT WORRY. My first day was so easy. It has been very hetic and there is ALOT of work but its really easy because its interesting. There are time where you want to scream WHAT HAVE I DONE but then you just take a deep breath and keep on truck'in. Then there are other times when you say to yourself. Wow....I'm all caught up and everything it GREAT. Trust me....nursing school is worth it and I'm loving every minute of it!

WhoNeedsaShot? · Feb 8, 2009

think of it like this.....

the first 10 weeks are the toughest....

during this time you are learning new material, new people, you will learn critical thinking, and skills. your brain will be in total overdrive:bowingpur

people (classmates) will annoy you, the material will overwhelm you, the test questions will just totally **** you off, because all of the answers could be correct, you just have to know which one is most correct for what is being asked of you...

you will go home and frustrated and start studying for tomorrows test, because chances are good that you will have a test or two everyday:bugeyes:.......

but then one day as if by magic, you realize wow! i only have 3 test this week! and it will feel like you just won the lottery! :yeah:

seriously, i can not stress enough the importance of being organized with your school work, i don't care if all other aspects of your life are completely disfunctional... school has to be organized! your date book will be your best friend. take good notes, buy [color=yellow]highliters... lots and lots of [color=yellow]highliters

as far as failing a test.... just keep in mind that there are alot of test! i think in fundamentals we had like 22. so if you fail a few of them, you can still end up with a pretty good grade.

go in knowing that your instructors know what they are doing, even if they seem like they don't.. they reason they do things the way that they do is because it works....

don't sweat the petty stuff and you will do great.....

good luck to you

j.q.

VM85 · Feb 8, 2009

if you could pass all the entrance exams, and all the other hoops youve jumped through- you can do it, otherwise you wouldnt have been accepted! so just remember that!- the most valuable advise that i recieved from a previous studentwas : this is not a secret soriority- a secret team that only the most elite will make it. you got in, you do the work, study hard, stay out of the drama, and put your all into it, and youll make it through!- but you really have to devote your next x amount of months to this and only this- which at times can be hard, motivation may be gone, but just remember that x amount of months is gonna come whether your in school or not- so you might as well suck it up, study, give up your life as you know it- and sooner than you think,even when it doesnt feel like it, you will be done!

the first week may seem inimidating, you may not expect someof the things that will happen, or if your like me, the way the teachers acted, but trust me, within a short amount of time if your teachers see you putting your all in it, the whole class and the teachers will all form a bond, the tension will decrease- just seriously, stay out of the drama if there is any of it- cuz you may say its not gonnna distract you, but it will eventually. i was a very social person in highschool- and ive been out for a few years, have a child, but i keep to myself- im friendly, have a few freinds, study with people, but when people are having a bender everyday after school- callin it a study group -beware!!! thats all i have to say!

you can do it!!!! and goodluck

doesdad · Feb 8, 2009

I'm one of the people who contributed to the original thread.

I'm 54 years old, been to college, had numberous jobs, a few careers and my own business and a lot of life experience. I have one more career left in me and I'm in the process of making the decision if it is going to be nursing or not. Some thoughts that I've had in my process.

1- If you decide to be a nursing student, be a nursing student first, not a daughter, wife, mother etc. and be going to nursing school. Do whatever you have to do to get your priorities straight.

2-The dedication that you have to your studies will be a direct reflection of your dedication to your patients. I think you need to be mindful of that everyday.

3- This experience is going to stress you, stretch you, and be very intense. Deal with it. This is literally a life and death profession if you can't deal with a stressful situation or conflict with an individual, or being tired or whatever in school what are you going to do in the real world?

4- Reach out for support - this forum alone has been enormously helpful for me already and the more I ask for help and guidence the more I find.

5- You can do this, you can do this, you can do this. It is only xx months out of your life and as stated it will get easier.

6- Be good to yourself, have faith and stay hydrated-LOL.

Good luck!

Bobylon · Feb 9, 2009

Great post, doesdad ..... I was 50 when I got in, am now 51 and will be graduating in about 6 weeks or so. It's been intense at times, but definitely doable :smokin:

I'm one of the people who contributed to the original thread.
I'm 54 years old, been to college, had numberous jobs, a few careers and my own business and a lot of life experience. I have one more career left in me and I'm in the process of making the decision if it is going to be nursing or not. Some thoughts that I've had in my process.
1- If you decide to be a nursing student, be a nursing student first, not a daughter, wife, mother etc. and be going to nursing school. Do whatever you have to do to get your priorities straight.
2-The dedication that you have to your studies will be a direct reflection of your dedication to your patients. I think you need to be mindful of that everyday.
3- This experience is going to stress you, stretch you, and be very intense. Deal with it. This is literally a life and death profession if you can't deal with a stressful situation or conflict with an individual, or being tired or whatever in school what are you going to do in the real world?
4- Reach out for support - this forum alone has been enormously helpful for me already and the more I ask for help and guidence the more I find.
5- You can do this, you can do this, you can do this. It is only xx months out of your life and as stated it will get easier.
6- Be good to yourself, have faith and stay hydrated-LOL.
Good luck!

maggiesdream · Feb 9, 2009

Just take one day at a time. One test at a time. Before you know it you will be finished.

Nicole_SPN · Feb 14, 2009

It was NOT as bad as I expected I've in going to school for lpn for about 6 mos now and it has flew by! You just have to study! I don't study enough and have managed to keep all my averages in the 90's knock on wood! It will get better just relax and be confident