How do I fight off the nervousness as a New Nursing Student?

k_girl153 · Jun 23, 2012

I'm in my last year. I was nervous too after getting my letter. I was initially really nervous but after I started getting all my required immunizations and physical done (it was a pain!) The nervousness subsided. Unfortunately i started feeling anxious again after going to orientation.

The same might happen for you but it may not. What did you do in other situations to calm yourself? Honestly I was on pins and needles throughout my first year good luck!

decembergrad2011, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2012

You will likely feel nervous to some degree throughout nursing school. There is a lot of pressure and work that feels overwhelming - it's like you're up to your neck in a barrel of crap - just keep your neck above it!

Some ways I relaxed about school: finding an organizational system, such as a planner, for your exam dates, assignments, etc; try to make a buddy in your class that will listen to you vent, look out for you when you're confused, and who will let you borrow notes if you're absent; get a NCLEX review book and start doing questions related to your test material throughout school; write out your strengths on index cards and revisit them when you're feeling down (I actually took a picture of mine spread out on a desk and made it my laptop's desktop background for a year); and stay up with your work and don't procrastinate. It's also good to know your limits. I had to work throughout my program and did not have time for organizations, but I loved volunteer work and did several events like teaching at a Girl Scout badge workshop put on by my nursing school. The organizations can help you feel like you're a part of the group and foster friendships if you've got the time, though.

If you feel like your anxiety is more than normal, please consider utilizing counseling services if they are available at your school. If your school doesn't have anything, check out NAMI in your city. You can benefit so much from a third party letting you get it all out. And keep posting here - it's a great supportive community!

rubato, ASN, RN · Jun 23, 2012

I'm nervous too. I think it's perfectly normal. It helped a lot when I went to my orientation and got a tour of the buildings and the labs. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. Everyone else in the program is probably just as nervous.

chelauren · Jun 23, 2012

I'm so nervous too! I'm someone who likes to plan ahead and have every detail worked out. Not being in control of my schedule and really having no idea what I'm going to be doing is driving me crazy!

What I'm most nervous about is that everyone I've talked to says be prepared for no sleep, because they were up every night doing projects & care plans... I get incredibly sick if I don't get a good nights sleep! Is this going to make it impossible for me to be a nurse?

lalopop86 · Jun 23, 2012

I'm so nervous too! I'm someone who likes to plan ahead and have every detail worked out. Not being in control of my schedule and really having no idea what I'm going to be doing is driving me crazy!
What I'm most nervous about is that everyone I've talked to says be prepared for no sleep, because they were up every night doing projects & care plans... I get incredibly sick if I don't get a good nights sleep! Is this going to make it impossible for me to be a nurse?

Not necessarily. I'm the same way and I got really nervous when I heard those things too but it's all about managing your time. Clinical paperwork and care plans can be really time consuming and yes you probably will not get 8 hours of beautiful sleep each night. The first year is a balancing act of learning how to manage your time efficiently between studying, projects, work, clinical paperwork, class, family, friends, etc. but you will learn what works for you. Plus you will get better at it as time goes on through the program. Just remember your instructors are on your team and want you to learn and succeed :)

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2012

I'm at the end of my BSN program and I remember I was so excited when I first got my letter and then suddenly around two months before I started I started thinking "oh maybe I don't really want to do this," and I would get that sick feeling in my stomach when I would think about about it and was so bummed the excitement was gone. Anyhow I realized it was just I was so scared of messign up because I had wanted to go to nursing school for so long! I was ready to start a program and 5 months prior to starting I found out I was pregnant, so I dropped. I had another baby 2 years after that. Before my 2nd was born was when nursing just started getting super popular and highly competitive. Anyhow long story somewhat shorter it was a long road to getting accepted and I was so scared to fail. I got over it and I don't think anythign will help except when you start makig those first successes in your first semester and second and third you will start feeling a lot more confident. Nerves are good, it means you care and if you care you will succeed (and if you work hard :).

brmuirhead · Jun 24, 2012

Thank You all for your comments. It feels a lot better knowing that I'm not the only person out there that feels this way. That nervousness and sick feeling was kind of making me worry. I know a lot of this comes from not knowing a whole bunch right now. Our orientation in on Aug 6th, so I think once I go through all of that and then start my first class on August 20th, I will get the feel of things, which will in turn make me feel better, lol I HOPE! ....Another QUESTION: Did any of you former/current nursing students start going through your pharm, med surg, or nursing fundamentals book before your class started? Or how did you prepare for your first semester?

firewifeRN · Jun 24, 2012

No it won't be impossible but just be prepared! I remember one night I was up late doing 2 care plans and had clinicals all that day and it was 1am and I had clinicals the next day and I was already up for almost a full 24 hr period so I just started to cry! All I wanted to do was sleep but I made it through first level and about to start second. Just don't forget why you decided to become a nurse and work hard to get it

Megatron89 · Jun 25, 2012

Thank you to everyone whose commented on this topic! I've been feeling really nervous as well lately, but it's really nice to know that it isn't just me feeling this way!

atchdee · Jun 25, 2012

I understand what you are going through. Going to NS is something that I have put off for years, and it is finally happening. With that being said, the thought of it all makes me incredibly anxious in good and bad ways. I want to do well, but I know that I have to be better about my study habits. It is going to be tight financially, and I don't want to let my fiance down. Reading threads like this helps comfort my nerves.

At this point, I would like it to be August 20th already, so we can get this show on the road!

Chin up and never forget that you are not alone in this!

Mrs.Priss · Jun 25, 2012

I am nervous/excited, like most of you are! I fear failing out and not doing well, while still having extreme confidence (if that makes sense!). I've worked so hard to get here! It's a very surreal feeling! I'm trying to relax and enjoy my summer but my anxiousness is robbing me of that!