I start Nursing School in a week...

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

And I'm excited, but I'm nervous and worried. I joined this website when I was just in high school, looking for advice as I began my journey to Nursing school. Now that it's finally here, I am worried. Seeing how big these textbooks are, I wonder if I can handle it all and if I'm smart enough to pass everything and make it through.

Any advice for a nursing student about to dive in?

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

Don't doubt yourself. Most likely, it was extremely competitive to gain a spot in the nursing program, so obviously you can do this. Study hard and enjoy the ride. You'll come out stronger in the end.

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I just finished my second week. It is STRESSFUL, but not really because of the content. Reading the books is the easy part, believe it or not!

They do throw you into the workload immediately. My biggest issue was keeping the 10,000 papers they gave me organized and knowing when all of my assignments were due. We have med cards, diagnostic sheets, ATI videos/tests, case studies, and care plans due on certain days of the week, every week. There are also random assignments that will get thrown in the mix, too. For some things my teachers want an email and a physical copy, some things they want submitted only via email, some things they want submitted under "assignments" on the school's website. I have a whiteboard calendar on my refrigerator that I write everything down on and check off as I get it done, I have a homework app, and I have a planner that I write in. I just can't take the chance of missing something because I know they aren't going to accept any excuses. Now that I'm coming up on my third week, I feel like I'm getting the hang of everything. Just breathe, stick with it, and know that you'll get into a routine. We've had 3 people drop already, one person in the middle of class, crying, because she said she can't deal with the stress. Poor girl.... I wish I could have made her hang on for another week or two, because I'm certain she would have figured it out.

Best wishes!! :cat:

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Specializes in ICU.

I just finished my first week. It was an experience. But just try to keep things in perspective. You obviously worked hard to get into the program, just keep it up. I felt extremely overwhelmed on day 2 but now that I have the weekend to compose myself I see I just need to sit down and tackle it like I do any class. The nice thing is my son is with his dad this weekend so I have the time to myself to study and do what I need to decompress.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

As stated above, nursing school can be very overwhelming, especially at first, with the initial shock of just how much stuff there is to be done. It helped me to write down every single thing that needed to happen in a planner, and then to just take it one day at a time. Write it all in pencil, as things do get changed around, but it helps to be able to see what needs to happen and when. Try to bite things off in the smallest bites possible.

Good luck, and congrats on getting in!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thanks for answering everyone! One thing I also wonder if the "myth" that when you're in nursing school, you have no social life is true? I mean, I don't go out every weekend, but I like to have a night where I can relax and do my own thing, sometimes going to see friends for a few hours. Is this at all possible with all the work about to be thrown at me?

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I'm currently drinking a beer/watching a movie/browsing this forum. Yesterday I spent an hour shopping for my brand new baby nephew and then 3 hours afterwards holding said nephew. :dummy:

Some days studying will be top priority, other days kicking back and relaxing will be #1. You'll figure it out!

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