New Nursing Student!

KC,RN · Aug 19, 2010

As a new grad that just passed my boards I can honestly say I know exactly how you feel. Every new step in this journey I have felt that way, but I never let those feeling hold me back. I thought that once I graduated and passed my boards it would pass, but now I am having anxiety about my job hunt. I just keep reminding myself that everything will work out as long as I put the effort in. Feeling overwhelmed at the start of nursing school is normal, but if you know you can do it nothing will stop you. And as a student if you feel you do know... just fake it until you make it, always be honest, and know it is ok to ask for help. Good luck! :)

LuvCinci · Aug 19, 2010

Lots of great advice here!

Every single time I've started a new semester of school, it's panic mode time. You get your syllabi and see all of the things that lie ahead of you and it's overwhelming. I agree that writing down a schedule of due dates for tests and assignments definitely helps.

You can do it! :)

sunshineintheforest · Aug 19, 2010

I just had my first day at nursing school today. I walked in so excited, and walked out nearly in tears!!! I feel SO overwhelmed with all the course work... tons of text books, e books, online classes etc. During the 8 hours I was there, I had more information thrown at me than I have ever had in my life!!! I am not afraid of work, and pulled a 90-95 GPA in high school, took all the honors and AP courses I possibly could. I want to be a nurse more than anything, but I am terrified right now! We start clinical rotations in the beginning of October... and I am really worried that I won't have enough experience by then to care for a patient. Did anyone else have a first day freak out when they started nursing school? I sure hope I'm not the only one!!!

Hi there, I was wondering..how many classes you are taking? I start nursing school in January but since I have completed my sciences and such I will only need to take the nursing classes themselves at any given time. I read a lot about new students feeling the way you do.. and since I am going into this like you.. (totally excited) I'm curious if your in the same situation or if you will be taking 3 or so classes. I haven't really noticed anyone disclose this stuff when writing about being overwhelmed. I'm not insinuating if you are only taking nursing classes it should be easy.. I'm more trying to find out if I should be prepared to be just as shocked as you;)

Off topic (and not really pertaining to this thread) but I also wish people would put (at least) the state they are in when they talk about other things such as hardship finding a job, wages, new laws, etc.. :banghead:

mfrancisco · Aug 19, 2010

I don't know about the OP, but I finished every single pre-req and my co-regs, so "all" I have are nursing classes. Let me tell you, I am taking only nursing classes, and it still seems like I do not have enough time at all. Everyone is freaking out this week, but I know we are all in the same boat. It is A LOT of work. I had my Fundamentals lecture this morning, and the teacher asked us if we are feeling overwhelmed yet, and the answer was "YES." We just have to make sure to not get behind. It is going to take up all of my time. I can see that now :)

AggieNurse2B · Aug 19, 2010

I'm a third semester nursing student, so I'm all too familiar with how you're feeling right now. About the middle of my second semester, I bought a plaque that sits in my bathroom so I can see it every single morning when I wake up. It's an Eleanor Roosevelt quote: "Do one thing every day that scares you." As a nursing student, I never cease to be able to find that ONE thing every day that scares the beejeezes out of me!

Seriously, you must get a good planner. I have an iPhone, so I use CalenGoo. I have each class coded in a different color, as well as personal stuff and stuff for my kids. I sit down at the beginning of each semester and put every single deadline, assignment, etc. in that calendar.

Once you have that done, you take it ONE day at a time. Everyone else is just as scared and freaked out as you are, so take heart. You're going to be fine. You'll feel much, much better and more in control after all the kinks get worked out--Usually in about 2-3 weeks. Hang in there!

mfrancisco · Aug 19, 2010

I just got an iPhone. Is calengoo an app? Thanks for your words of encouragement from us newbies?

AggieNurse2B · Aug 19, 2010

Yes, it's an app that syncs with Google's free calendar. So you can type all the info in your google calendar and it syncs to your phone whenever you open the app on your phone. And when you're in class and need to put something on the calendar, you can do it on your phone, and it will sync with your google calendar. So get a google free calendar first, then download the CalenGoo app.

Like I said, I made a new calendar (which culminates into just ONE calendar to have to look at) for each class. So each class is a different color. I put deadlines, assignments, chapters to be read, etc. in there. And then I'm sure to add all my personal stuff, too, so I know what's going on and who's going where. I promise you'll get this part figured out after just a few weeks and, although life will be hectic, it will be manageable.

Also consider downloading MedCalc (free and completely awesome), Epocrates (I just use the free version). Pocket Lab Values is indispensible at clinicals, in my opinion--even had my clinical instructors using it. It was about $9.99 or so, but worth every single penny. I also occasionally use University of Maryland Medical Reference (free).

I, as well, got my iPhone just as I was starting nursing school, and it's been a lifesaver. I considered getting a new laptop, but the iPhone was a much better investment. It was for me, at least.

mfrancisco · Aug 20, 2010

You are so awesome! Thank you so much. My head has been spinning with what to download on my iphone among other things. I really, really appreciate your info. Our instructor had talked about unbound medicine and skyscape (?), so I still have to look into those, too. I am just trying to get my to do list organized this week on top of reading, virtual clinical excursions, and dealing with my nerves about upcoming clinicals!!! YIKES!