Nervous to start Nursing School

[ann22]

Okay so I am new to this site and have not yet started nursing school. First have to do all my prerequisites. I am reading over the different posts on this site and am soooooo nervous because I have never worked in the medical field and am afraid I am going to not know what I am doing when I graduate. My question to everyone is did you go into Nursing school w/medical knowledge or did you learn all of this in school. Am I going to get thrown into clinicals before I have any clue what I am doing or are there lots of classes before clinicals that will give the confidence and knowledge to know what I am doing.

[NursingStudent10]

I am finishing my first year of Nursing school with absolutely no medical experience beforehand. And, I still feel like I might graduate and feel that I have no idea what I'm doing. But it's mostly a confidence issue, we don't have as much experience as everyone else. Once we do, the confidence will come. I'm currently finishing my 3 week rotation on a L&D floor and felt completely comfortable with my skills right away. Just work hard, get all the experience you can get out of your clinicals, and you will get there!

[KerriA]

Hi. I am just starting my pre-req's for Nursing. I have, however, been a Dental Hygienist for 17 years (I am 38). The experience I have will be helpful but I still feel as nervous and inadequate as the next person. I question if I can 'do it' once I graduate.

On the other hand, when I was 18 I went into the Dental Hygiene program with absolutely no medical or dental background. I can assure you, they teach you what you need to know - the basics, the big NO NO's - and you will continue to learn as you practice. Learn from other Nurses and read about Nursing topics - I still, after 17 years in hygiene, can learn something new evey day. I ask alot of questions - and I've learned that asking questions if you are not certain about something, or need clarification about something - is the best way to avoid embarassing or damaging mistakes.

Good luck, you will do fine!

[JGrady]

Don't be nervous! You're going to school to LEARN! They will teach the things you need to know :)

I just finished nursing school, and when I was a freshman going into it I had limited medical knowledge.

You will be prepared for what you need to do along the way. Just stay focused, organized and positive!

You will do great! Good luck!

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

I am an instructor and many students have zero nursing or medical experience, they pass or fail as the same rate of the other students, good luck and study hard.

[April13RN]

Hi,

I just graduated from nursing school in May and passed the NCLEX in August. I went into nursing with no medical background. The only job that I held throughout school was as a pre-school teacher and babysitter. I even went into nursing unsure of if I would like it or not. Luckily, I feel that my nursing school has prepared me well and I am pretty confident in my skills and I love nursing. I went to Endicott College, it is pretty small but it has a great nursing program. I wasn't the only one in my class without medical background either. I would highly recommend finding a school with a good nursing lab where you can practice your skills without worrying about injuring real patients.

If you don't like nursing you can always switch majors, it's easier to try to get into a nursing program and transfer out than it is to try and transfer into it later.

Good Luck!