How can I feel less nervous about starting nursing school?

NP Sam · Oct 14, 2010

The feelings you have are definitely normal. I also have a degree in another area and decided to become a CNA to get some healthcare experience. Wise decision!!!!!!!! CNAs work very hard and yes you are getting down and dirty but nurses get down and dirty too and then some:). Being a CNA has helped me so much in my Fundamentals class and clinical. Probably half of people entering nursing school have never had an interaction with patients. If you don't want to be a CNA volunteer at a free clinic or maybe at a hospital.

Applying to nursing school and the dreaded wait is very scary. I hope you applied to more than one school! In my life I have applied to 7 schools and two accepted me-- this year.

Best of luck!

tap87 · Oct 14, 2010

Don't be nervous!! I took my pre-reqs at a two year college and then transferred to a University this year for the BSN. My former A+P teacher always told us about how hard nursing school was and the tests were awful, and we wouldn't do good, etc. but I don't think it's bad at all so far. I love my instructors for lecture and clinical, they are so encouraging. CNA is a good way to go for the experience. It seems like people in my classes who have some experience already being a CNA or any position in the hospitals have a leg up but for those of us who don't have experience, we support each other and try to get through everything together. CNA's and nurses both do the dirty work!

Just remember that the instructors are there to help you. They realize that not all students coming in have health care experience.

Good luck!

Copperismydog · Oct 14, 2010

Thanks for your replies! I could take a CNA program this summer after I finish my pre-requisites. It's helpful to know that this would be useful and will make me more comfortable around patients. Hopefully it will also be helpful for finding a job while in nursing school and in the summers.

Unfortunately there's only one school where I live that offers nursing and moving isn't an option I was told by the guidance counsellor that my GPA is high enough to get in to the program. I sure hope she's right!

cmw6v8 · Oct 14, 2010

I also have a degree in another area and no experience in health care before I started my nursing program. I was really nervous too...but luckily my program starts us off slow. Our first semester we are in clinicals for a four-hour shift once a week at a rehab facility. It's very slow paced, which is good for me not having any prior patient experience. I think the main objective of this first semester is to get us used to the environment and dealing with patients and to get us comfortable doing all the basic CNA-type skills, along with doing care plans and that kind of thing. If your program is like mine, you'll be totally fine! Of course, any other experience you can get outside of school is a plus.

iPink, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

Nervousness is normal. I'm not nervous yet, but once orientation starts in December I think the nerves are going to kick into overdrive for me. I am an Accelerated BSN student, with no hospital experience. I won't be able to do a CNA program because my program starts in a few months and it will be full steam ahead from that point. However, I will be among other students like me who doesn't have that experience, especially since health care experience is not a benefit getting into the program.

Hang in there, be confident. You are there to learn so be a sponge and soak up as much info that you can. If you have time to do the CNA program, go for it. Good luck.

Btw, I applied to one school and got accepted.

doublehelix · Oct 14, 2010

But I'm also worried that the work that CNAs do might be more "down and dirty" than nurses, and that it might scare me off. Are there other ways to get some experience working in a hospital before or during nursing school?

This is true, I worked as a CNA for over a year fulltime and continue part time now that I am going to a nursing school. The thing is, everything a CNA learns is BASIC nursing skills. Hygeine, bed making, butt wiping and skin assessment, turning, ROM, you need to know all of this as a nurse.

Yes, it may turn you off to being a nurse at first, but the "dirty work" is part of the job, and becoming a CNA first is a very wise decision. As a nurse, there will be times when the CNA/HCA is not available to get that person off the toilet, or on their break, and you will need to do it. I've seen dozens of second/third year students at work tell me bed making isn't their job, so they don't know how to do it. As a nurse, you do need to know these skills. Nevermind wiping poopy bums as a CNA, as a nurse you will often be disimpacting your pts, giving them enemas or supps, etc. The skills you learn from being a CNA will help you with your first year of nursing, as well as give you an introduction to clinical so you won't be as nervous with your patients and already know the basics! I am in an acelerated program, and I will tell you, those who worked previously in a healthcare setting are by far doing better than the remainder of the class.

gumby1411 · Oct 15, 2010

But I'm also worried that the work that CNAs do might be more "down and dirty" than nurses, and that it might scare me off.

Well, I got some news for you: As a nursing student, you will be getting down and dirty. You'll be wiping plenty of butts and changing plenty of beds. :lol2:

Now, having said that, getting some experience beforehand will help ease your nerves, but it's not essential. I'm in an ABSN program and my first day of class was a clinical shift! I have a degree in a totally unrelated field, with zero healthcare experience. I was nervous as all get out, but once I was in clinicals, I was fine. Honestly, the biggest thing you have to get used to is talking to patients. Not all of them will be nice or in good moods. They're sick, tired, in pain, and sometimes plain old angry.

Do you have the opportunity to volunteer at a local hospital or nursing home? Getting in there and seeing how things work will help ease your nerves. If you can't volunteer, you will be fine. You'll be nervous, but just remind yourself, the patients don't know how much you don't know! :)