Im panicking =[

gabbythegabby · Apr 29, 2011

Don't panic. (: Sure, nursing school will basically take over your life for the next couple years, but if you have a knack for science (presumably, the human body) and medicine and love to help people, then there's no need to worry. I know most nursing programs are different from one another, but usually if your instructors can see that you are genuinely interested in becoming a nurse (and not just out there for a paycheck) they are twice as likely to help you along.

I, like you, am only a student right now, so I can't give you too much information you don't already know, but I hope some words of encouragement helped!

Gabrielle

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2011

The first 2 weeks of nursing school were very disorienting and left most of us scared to death. Nursing school does take over your life but I would use the word immersive. Just know that every student with a pulse is panicking as well. Most people in my program feel like throwing up each test day and just before demonstrating a skill and sometimes before each clinical. It's a wild ride but so worth it.

Bandaide, ADN · Apr 30, 2011

Yep, but I would say the first quarter is really stressfull. I'm in 3rd quarter now, and it seems so much more relaxed than the first, and even second quarter.

Yes, I was scared spitless before I started too. My mom had just died and I didn't know if I could stand it emotionally. Now I'm glad I did go. Though I did not find the whole history of nursing and nursing theorists through the decades stuff to be very interesting. That's only in first quarter for us, so it got much more interesting after that. We jump all around in the books to make things flow more logically, so it isn't like we started at the beginning of the book and grind our way through.

Go in with a good attitude, and you will do fine.

mangopeach · Apr 30, 2011

Been there done that!! I think I celebrated my acceptance for a whopping 24 hrs. After that, the doubts started setting in. I'm at the end of my first semester. 1 Lecture left and then finals. Has it been hard? Heck yeah? Did it take up an immense amount of my time? Heck yeah! But I'm going into the finals with a 90 average. Hoping I can keep it because the final is heavily weighted but my point is it has not been the scary omg its so hard thing that I was panicking about. It is definitely challenging, but no reason you can't meet the challenge.

Next semester, I hope to be even more relaxed about it. I work my butt off for sure, but my goal for next semester and moving forward is relax! Trust that if I study and apply myself, I have nothing to fear. I really want to apply myself more in clinicals and plan to do just that. Perhaps, once you get to start applying your knowledge in clinicals, it will seem more interesting. I can't believe I find reading Lab Values so interesting now. LOL!

Also, make friends! Seriously. Some people say they don't need friends in school but I find that it helps big time. We pick each other up all the time and encourage each other. I see a lot of complaining about classmates on all nurses but I can't relate. Maybe I'm lucky and in a great program with great instructors and great classmates but my classmates have truly been helpful and inspiring and they understand me when no one in my family or my other friends do. They are going through the same things I am. Sometimes we vent about the stress and all the work we have to do. Sometimes we talk about our fears and anxiety. Or we talk about our dreams and aspirations. It helps!

KristeyK · May 1, 2011

It seems foreign because it IS foreign! OK, at least it was for myself, and my 30 classmates. LOL.

Don't panic, you'll do fine. Just realize that part of nursing school is reprogramming your brain to learn how to "think like a nurse." (Critical thinking...it will be the bane of your existence until you magically figure it out. LOL!!!)

Good luck and HAVE FUN! (Because yes, it is possible to have fun with nursing school!)

nurse.sandi · May 1, 2011

Yes, I felt the same way. Yes, it is very time consuming. Follow your instincts and your heart. You should be fine. Good luck.

gummibear · May 1, 2011

breathe! i was in ur shoes three yrs ago. i wanted to quit one week into my BSn program. but hang in there. ur psyching urself out. yes, nursing school is much harder work than anyone who is not a nurse major will believe. but u will get thru it. take one day at a time, thats the best u can do b/c if u start overanalyzing and freaking out, bad things will happen. u can do it!!!!!!!

tzamora7 · May 2, 2011

Pretty much what everyone has said here is right on the money. I'm 2 days from finishing my first semester and it has been crazy but you get through it. Just get your self a calendar, stay organized and breath! It will be ok. The first 4 weeks were absolutely nuts! As I tried to study for my first test I felt so lost and confused I literally looked at all my books spread all over my dining room table and just cried. LOL! Definitely take it one day at a time....don't look at the big picture or you'll get overwhelmed....oh and don't let people put fear in you; that got to me a lot of times. Tell your self EVERY single day that you can do this and you will.

survrgrl08 · May 4, 2011

I was the same way last fall. I didn't pass Fundies and I am getting back on the saddle again to start over this fall. I was overwhelmed the first 2 months and was freaked out and didn't know what to do or how to do it. I suggest you get a good study buddy or group and take notes, highlet the heck out of your book and keep every single piece of paper u are given. I know what I did wrong last fall and I am going to change those habits so they don't follow me this fall.

Good Luck!

U can do it!