I feel like im going to fail!

[Valley_girl1021]

Idk if anyone else feels like this but my anxiety when it comes to nursing school is through the roof. I did one semester at nursing at CCBC Catonsville and had to take a break this semester due to financial issues that caused me too much stress during the semester. I'm going back in the spring but for some reason I have major anxiety about how well I will do. I've always done well in school and I've never gotten this nervous or doubtful before but for some reason now that I'm in nursing school I feel like the worst student and that I'm not good enough to get through it. Someone please help and give me advice or words of encouragement. Clinicals make me the most nervous, I have this crazy feeling that I'm going to be that one student that hurts a patient or makes all the stupid mistakes and will get locked out of the program ( over exaggeration I know but I can't help it). Plenty of people tell me it's not that bad, that the instructors know this is a learning process and it's pretty easy to correct mistakes that as long as I'm safe the rest isn't that bad. Idk I'm just freaking out

[FutureNurseInfo]

So, you have completed one semester in the nursing program: how was it? What was the stressor(s)? Do you feel like you have not done as well as you hoped for?

In general, I think many students in the program have experienced something like you did. However, anxiety is a part of life, so you need to learn how to cope with it. It is hard to advise on exactly what you should to to cope, when your post is unclear as to what is causing you lots of anxiety.

Figure out what is the cause of your anxiety and then find a way to cope with it. If you feel anxious about hurting patients, then make sure you know A through Z - everything about the patient: his/her condition, procedures to perform - so you may feel confident in your abilities, and, therefore, feel a bit less stressed over hurting that patient.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

It isn't as if that is outside of your control. Prioritize school. Study hard. If you are struggling, study harder and study smarter. Use all the resources at your disposal. Make up your mind that nothing is going to come ahead of school and then stick to that. Failing is rarely due to a lack of ability.

[Valley_girl1021]

I'm a good student. I always end up doing well and don't harm the patient and ask questions when I'm unsure. It is just my anxiety that makes me think all of a sudden I'm going to fail and be this horrible incompetent person.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I'm a good student. I always end up doing well and don't harm the patient and ask questions when I'm unsure. It is just my anxiety that makes me think all of a sudden I'm going to fail and be this horrible incompetent person.

Have you sought any help for these unwarranted fears? Because you should - it's a quality of life thing.

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

I think you are projecting your home-life stuff and financial issues on your ability or inability to do well in nursing. You said you have done well in the past so you can do well in the future. Try to balance things out and put most of your energy into doing well in school. Stop the self doubt.

[nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP]

I wish I could offer you some advice, but I felt the same way you did all through my nursing program. I thought I was going to fail and I never thought I would finish. I thought I was going to harm a patient, I didn't think I know that I was doing, etc. They were totally unwarranted. I just graduated this month and with honors. All I can say is hang in there and try to be more confident. If you are passing and not on warning at clinicals then you are doing fine. You say you're asking questions when you're unsure and doing well so stick with it.

[Valley_girl1021]

That's what I think is going to end up happening. I've accepted my anxiety isn't going to go anywhere lol. I just know when I graduate I'll look back and be like I worried so much for nothing.