Haven't even started the program, but already terrified of flunking out

NurseStudentYay · Nov 4, 2009

I had the same fears before starting school. I have been out of school for 10 years and I was never any good at it. This time is different though because this time I'm more motivated to do well. So I studied my butt off, and I am now carrying a solid 4.0. I am taking more classes than the rest of my classmates but I am holding on.

The key is always be prepared to study harder than the person sitting next to you. :)

IzzyKat23 · Nov 4, 2009

Congrats on getting in! :yeah:

I will be starting in the fall. I have my choice of schools but I am leaning toward the best one which is also the most difficult one. I have the same fears and anxieties.

I hope it is not as hard as everyone says it is. The only thing that gives me hope is that there are nurses out there who are as dumb as a box of rocks who have managed to graduate from these schools and even more prestigious ones. I just think if they can do it well then there is no excuse for me not to do it with perfect grades!

You got this far, you got in! You will do great :) Just work hard and stay focused. Good luck!

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2009

I think everyone has this issue to some degree, whether they'll admit to it or not. I gave myself a pep talk - literally. The night before clinicals started, I was staring in the mirror and said to my reflection, "Get over it. You've got this!" Sure, I kinda felt like an idiot for doing it....but it worked :up:

I've also realized that sometimes I am my biggest obstacle. I've learned to stop, take a few deep breaths, and mentally kick myself in order to focus and not let my nerves get the best of me. My motto is "baby steps." One test at a time. One skill review at a time. If you micromanage it, it doesn't seem nearly as formidable. We've already lost some people and we're only in our first term of the clinical rotation. It happens at every school, but you can't assume that your fate will be theirs.

You can be great - you just gotta convince yourself of it :) Good luck!

newbebop, ADN, BSN, MSN · Nov 4, 2009

These anxieties are normal. But if you let them get the better of you, they will pull you down. Take a few deep breaths. You have to believe in yourself.

There are people flunking out of all kinds of programs, you cannot assume that it is because the program is too hard. Or that you can't do this. You can do this! You have been accepted and are getting ready to begin. This is a huge accomplishment and you should be proud. Don't let others get you down. If you can't get their negativity out of your head, turn it around and use it as fuel.

You can do this! Take some time between now and January to do something for yourself. Pick up a healthy habit, Start a journal, Something just for you, It will help you to refocus and you may discover your confidence. ;-)

Best of luck!

goodstudentnowRN · Nov 4, 2009

I used to have the fear of flunking out too but I just take it one day at a time...day by day, week by week...Now I am almost done, no more exams just preceptorship and NCLEX review

Abby Normal · Nov 4, 2009

I'm not in nursing school yet, but I'm in a job where I really have to think on my feet.

What helped me was realizing that fear/nervousness wasn't just a useless waste of an emotion: It's a signal for you to DO SOMETHING!

Don't just take a hot bath and make it go away! It's your friend!

You need to look your fear in the eye, and ask it what, specifically, it wants you to do to be more prepared for an experience you're afraid of.

When I start to feel it, no joke, I ask myself: So what am I doing to do about it?

Is it telling you you should really go back to the skills lab? Is it telling you you should really take another practice test rather than go to the movies with your friends? Is it telling you you really need to go talk to the professor and tell her you're trying but you just don't understand glomerular filtration -- long before the test?

(Mine is usually telling me to turn off the TV!)

Then do that thing, you'll be more prepared and you'll feel better.

Not only will you be more confident, you'll probably be more prepared and do better too. It has worked for me at work and in my prereqs.

Do all your assignments, go to ALL your classes and don't give up. Nobody can give up on you but you, so just don't. You'll be fine.

kayty2339 · Nov 5, 2009

Thanks everyone for your encouragement! I know I'm just probably worrying way too much. I just got done with my orientation today and they were very honest about how hard it is, but it was also really exciting and interesting too! I just have to stop worrying so much and try to be positive. I know I'm going to give it my all and if that's still not enough then I'll pick myself back up and try again!