nervous about starting

Published

Hi,

I am getting ready to start the nursing program, either jan or aug 08.

I read these forums everyday and sometimes it scares me.

I have always wanted to be a nurse. I am 45. I started the program 25 years ago, but dropped in the first semester because i had a baby.

Lesson learned. I should have finished.

Anyhoo, i was wondering if any of you had concerns when starting out? Did you worry you might give someone the wrong meds, miss something that would ultimatley hurt someone etc.?

My gut tells me i will learn in school and hands on, but i am still nervous.

Any advice/stories etc would help. Basically that i am not alone feeling like this.

Thx

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Specializes in Med/Surg,Limited ER & OB.

I started nursing school when I was forty. My very first paper back I received an F. I almsost quit then and there. I am now forty four, have been a nurse now two and a half years and absolutely love it, even though I've lived through some horror stories. I was only six months out of school when I became charge nurse for the day shift and had to work ER with my only back up being the DON who had a cell phone I could call if I needed help. Well that was basically everytime someone walked through the door. Survived that and began taking OB call, but with the hospital being rural and no docs in the facility after five (they were on call with all four docs living over seven miles out of town) I decided I didn't want to risk losing my license and began working surgical services thirty miles away. Way less stress and I love it. I say go for it. You will not regret it.

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Thanks, i am def starting, just wondered if anyone else had these same kind of concerns when they were starting out.

I am excited and wish it would go faster. I am waiting for the part time program to kick in as i work full time. It seems like i am waiting and waiting and waiting...................I know, its the same all over.

Have a great day.

D

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

i don't normally recommend a book on these forums but this one takes the cake! echo heron's intensive care, the story of a nurse has to be one of my favorite books of all time. long before i began nursing school i read this book and believe you me she brings home all the issues, giving your first shot, dealing with paitient's family and family loss, dealing with mds who are more interested in the yacht race rather than the human race! it's all there in black and white. published in the 80's, so more than likely you can pick up a copy at your local library or buy one used online.

i gave this book to an aspiring nursing student and her family was ever so troubled by her behavior: she wouldn't put the book down to give them the time of day!!!

ps. i began nursing school in my forties too;-)

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Specializes in DOU.

You'll be fine. Just read for comprehension, and if you mess up in the middle of a practicum and become unsterile, ALWAYS start over. Oh, yeah... and when you go to clinicals, don't ever let on that you are nervous, especially in front of a patient. They look to YOU to see how worried they should be.

BTW - I think you were wise to drop out when you had a baby. I can't imagine doing this program well while trying to care for an infant.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I was nervous, also, and am still nervous at times. But, I faced my fear, and now, I have been a nurse for over a year. Just take it one step at a time. And, post here when you get frustrated. :0)

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i don't believe i'm about to share this...

i was really excited about starting nsg school.

there was only 1 thing i was petrified of:

and that was a male pt getting an erection while giving a bath.

dang, it would have been easier to be fearful of killing someone but noooooo....

i had to be afraid of a stupid erection.

i remember feeling my knees go weak, and wanting to faint, at the mere thought.

as it turns out, i DID get a male pt, around 50ish, who insisted i give him a total bath (with a definite glint in his eyes).

he was around 5 days post/op.

i didn't know my instructor was outside the door.

she came barging in, and firmly told this pt that he needed to wash himself.

everything was set up already, so i just excused myself.

but as i grew more confident, i could handle this and other hard situations. :)

despite all your fears and anxieties, your love for nursing will supercede any negatives.

you can and will do this.

wishing you the best of everything. :balloons:

leslie

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

Nervous about school? Like every day... Nervous about working as a nursing assistant.. you bet. Will I quit? Never! I got talked out of going into Nursing when I was just out of high school because at the time there was talk about getting rid of LPN's and I wanted to be an LPN (nothing against RN's, I just wanted to get through school faster so I could take care of patients). After 25 years, one useless Bachelor's Degree, and a string of crappy jobs across 3 counties, I finally said the heck with it, I am going to Nursing School. I was 44 when I started, and I'll be 46 when I graduate, but I'm so grateful every day that I took that plunge and jumped right in.

And yes... I still throw up every time I have a test...

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im not nervous! im SCARED!!!!:uhoh21: rite now im only in my first semester, i have no kids, not married, and still in my twenties, i have no excuses to not do homework or study yada yada yada,,,yet i get so terrified :uhoh21:that i can't do it(be an RN), i slack off and then basically force myself to quit! but im not! i cant! b/c i don't and won't want to do anything else! pray for me yal!!

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I am also nervous about starting the program. I am told that I should be able to get in this January (AZ). I started taking courses when I was 40 and signed up last Oct. at 44. I had to go part time, because of family. I also had to take a lot more pre-req's than they do now. I will just have to refresh my memory when I go through some of the same things again. I also think that it will give me some advantage over the newer students. I am wondering if anyone knows of requirements for the program such as: days, hours, absent, and so forth.

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Thx for all of the advice. It makes me feel better. and the erection????

I hadnt thought of that one yet, how funny. I am not sure that thought will ever leave my head.

I am currently retaking my core pre-reqs. They dont require me too, but i would feel much better. Saturday, A&P 8-2:30. God help me.

Have a great day.

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.
im not nervous! im SCARED!!!!:uhoh21: rite now im only in my first semester, i have no kids, not married, and still in my twenties, i have no excuses to not do homework or study yada yada yada,,,yet i get so terrified :uhoh21:that i can't do it(be an RN), i slack off and then basically force myself to quit! but im not! i cant! b/c i don't and won't want to do anything else! pray for me yal!!

Me too! Same feeling, same situation!

My advice to the OP is that, yes, you will feel nervous, very nervous. The advice I hear on this board is DON'T GIVE UP!. No matter how bad things may seem. I got real frustrated yesterday; I was practicing BP for the 2nd day, and I couldn't get a brachial pulse on my parter. I tried the easier radial pulse and couldn't find that either (thinking, "What kind of idiot can't find a radial pulse?").

But the clinical instructor told me not to worry, I'd get it with more practice. And with further practice on some fellow students after class, I think I have it.

Going back to school and having to do massive amounts of studying is intimidating, but people from all kinds of backgrounds survive it. You will too.

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