I'm so nervous I'm afraid doing the something.. Help!

Despareux · Mar 5, 2011

Anxiety will kill your skill. I had a huge problem with controlling my anxiety levels during my first quarter. I would break out in a sweat, shake, heart would be pounding; I was a mess. I even considered seeing my doctor for medications that could help me. During my break I decided to work really hard to change my attitude about every aspect of my education and my priorities; doing so helped tremendously.

During our 2nd quarter we are required to control our anxiety during clinicals, as we are graded on how well we are able to control it.

What you're experiencing is normal. Some people are good at controlling it, while others, like yourself, are more overt about what they are feeling. Feeling anxious is a horrible feeling, especially when you feel consumed by it (but you can control it).

I would recommend a writing journal specific for nursing school. Allow yourself to write about anything positive or negative. Read what you write immediately after and the next day, and then ask yourself questions where you have to be honest with yourself.

The number one thing that really helps me put things into perspective is to question myself why I feel a certain way and what would be the worst case scenario, and what if that worst case scenario were played out--would it kill me, take away my family, would there be a positive associated with the outcome, how would it affect me and those who are closest to me.

:hug:

KyBreed · Mar 16, 2011

It is very normal to be frightened. Be sure to breath in through your nose and out your mouth...deep,slow breaths. Also,very helpful to visualize what you are going to be doing in the procedure. See yourself completing each step, successfully. You brain can not distinguish your mind's eye from actual reality. That is why you salivate when you think of eating a pickle. Your body gets ready for the pickle because it thinks you are eating it! Professional sports players have great visualization techniques seeing themselves being successful. People who stand at the plate and say, "I'm going to miss it, I'm going to miss it" usually do. Think success and you'll have success. Good Luck.