Is anyone else this nervous??

mybrowneyedgirl, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2009

Yes. It's very normal and it's actually a good thing. Your nervousness will keep you on your toes and make you push yourself to be the best you can be. Of course you don't know caths, tubes etc now, but they will teach you and you'll do just fine.

Nursing classes are different in that you have to learn "critical thinking" and that's how the tests will be given. Picking up an NCLEX review books (Kaplan or Saunders) would really help you understand what criticial thinking is and give you a good idea as to what the test questions will look like.

To me, nursing school gives you more responsibility which is different than your pre-reqs, but it's all so interesting because you'll use all of this info some time soon. That's another big difference from your pre-reqs.

So far, I had great grades in prereqs and still do in nursing school. I hope you really enjoy it.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2009

This is more normal than you can think. I believe it is because people realize the seriousness of the work they are going to undertake. When I was in nursing school back in 1973 I had the same feelings and thoughts. I worried for a very long time, even after I graduated and was working as an RN, that I would accidentally make a mistake that would kill a patient. I would literally get sick to my stomach every time I drove up to clinicals (and later to work) so I had to start not eating beforehand. I would triple check medications before I gave them. I pestered coworkers with questions to make sure I was about to do something correctly. I called more doctors questioning orders than you can imagine. I was a real worry wart, believe me. All said, I never had anything happen to a patient and eventually I was able to relax more and not have that sick feeling when I went in to work. As you gain experience and knowledge that nervousness and anxiety does take care of itself. It's like driving a car. It was scary at first, but as you gained experience your confidence grew. The same happens as a nurse. You will want to seek out experiences because it is how you will grow.

Now, I was a supervisor in later years and I've seen the opposite behavior in some--people starting out in the profession who are not looking out for patient comfort and safety. Those people are dangerous around patients and need more watching over than the patients.

Kimhsk · Jan 19, 2009

How are things are Ridgewater? I am hoping to go there in the fall? I went there for my LPN in 2005.

jazz404 · Jan 19, 2009

Yes - being nervous is normal and I agree that it is a good thing. It will keep you on your toes and remind you of the serious nature of your work. That being said, make sure you don't let those nerves get out of control. I've seen a number of classmates really struggle with lab skills, clinicals, etc, just because they get too nervous. I've found a lot of good suggestions on this site for dealing with stress.

I can also say that my stress levels have gone down as I've progressed through clinicals and gained some confidence. As far as level of difficulty - I've found nursing classes to be a lot harder than any other classes. I was a straight A in pre-req's, but had to really improve my study habits and time management for nursing classes.

Good luck!

ShortStackRN · Jan 19, 2009

It's COMPLETELY normal to be that nervous! I was the same way! Nervous and SO excited at the same time! I'm a second semester student now and STILL nervous! You will learn what to do with all of that tubing I assure you. But here's the thing...we did Foley's in skills lab last semester...never even saw one in clinical and now I'm in Med Surg and OB and PROBABLY going to have to insert one and I'm not going to have a CLUE what I'm doing. I think only after you graduate will the nerves subside. It's good to be nervous! I would worry about anyone who wasn't. And trust me...those books that look like Greek now will be all that you understand after this semester! GOOD LUCK!! You're going to need it! Just stay focused and work your hiney off and you'll make it! :yeah:

ShortStackRN · Jan 19, 2009

ALSO!! I realized that I didn't throw this in...though you may be nervous...try your best not to show that in clinical. You have got to be confident in yourself or you will never make it. I went to clinical with out of control nerves the first day and couldn't have had a worse experience. After that...I told myself that would have confidence-even when I wasn't sure of myself-because your nerves will radiate onto your patients and make them nervous...and trust me your clinical instructor will notice as well...and that's not a good thing. Hold your head up high and don't get all shaky! You'll notice that you'll learn more and do a much better job if you just ACT like you're an expert (to an extent).

sh1901 · Jan 19, 2009

I just started last week and I felt the exact same way! Most of the people in my class felt it too. Honestly, once you get through the first week, it gets a little better. The nervousness doesn't go away, but you don't feel quite so overwhelmed and scared.

When I picked up my books, the syllabus was included in our packet, and I swear to you it felt like you needed a secret decoder ring to understand it. But, we spent a bunch of time last week learning how to read it and what we were supposed to be doing and it's not so scary now. We also have great instructors at my school who just kept telling us to tale it one day at a time and kept reassuring us that we can do this!!

Remember, you worked hard to get in to NS, you took all the prereq's and you passed your entrance exam....you did not get here by chance!! Just stay focused and don't be afraid to ask your instructor questions....even if you feel that it is something that "you should know". Pretend like you are starting with a blank slate, do your readings, and keep your A&P book close to brush up on anything that you haven't dealt with in a while.

GOOD LUCK!!! :yeah: