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I am just starting school two weeks from Monday for my LPN program. I know I have nothing to be scared about. I was just wondering if there was anyone else starting out just as nervous as I am. New and veteran nursing students would help take the ease off of my worries. Thanks for any advice.

NAUSEATED, Soulshine?? YIKES! Now I've gone from being nervous to feeling all-out terror! eek.gif

Sorry, don't want to terrify you. What you are about to embark on is a test of will and determination. If you want it, you'll succeed. It's as easy as that. It's just very difficult at times, that's all. Most of the material isn't hard per say, but there is so much, so fast that it can be overwhelming and that leads to stress which in turn makes me nauseous just thinking about it. :lol2: There were days where me and another ns friend would just look at eachother and crack up laughing...the kind that leads to real tears and sobbing, because there wasn't anything left for us to say. It's just stress and it has to come out somehow. I think we were cracking up...literally. :lol2: :( :lol2: :( :lol2: :( :lol2: :( :lol2:

But you know what? We're making it, and you will too. Make some good friends in school, b/c a lot of times family and friends don't truly understand. They aren't in the middle of it, even though they see you with your face in a book 24-7. You have to have someone to lean on and people who will push you as you'll be pushing them. It's one of the most difficult times, but also one of the best times you'll ever have in your life! This is definately and experience you won't forget. Visit my blog if you want...I've been documenting my nursing school adventures since 2nd semester. It's not all bad, I've made a lot of memories and LEARNED SO MUCH! Good luck to all of you who is about to begin and never give up on your dreams. If I can do it, anyone can.

p.s. I'll be posting a video tonight or tomorrow that I made as a gift to my graduating class. Focus on the good and it will come to you!

www.my-journey-as-a-student-nurse.blogspot.com

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Soulshine, I also feel the need to get the household in order before school starts. I feel like I need to do a deep cleaning and I'm thinking of meals I can freeze ahead of time. I've got a really supportive husband. He knows he won't have a life either because he'll be taking care of kids every night and on weekends!

I already made up my mind that I'm going to surround myself with positve and focused students. Luckily, I know a couple of them and they also have kids and are going back to school to pursue their dream, so we'll know what each other is going through. I know it will be hard and I know I will be time-managing up the wahzoo. It will be stressful and tiring but I've wanted this for so long that quitting is not an option. I keep telling myself that it will only be 2 years!! 1.gif

Soulshine, thanks for your honesty. I'll definitely check out your blog. I like hearing other people's experiences. It helps me to know what to expect. But I tell you, I think nursing students are amazing people. To want something so bad that they go into it anyway, knowing all the sacrifices and hardships they will have to endure to reach their goal. I'm glad I found this site. The positive attitudes and encouragement here is very inspiring!

Yup, you better believe I'm gonna get out there and kick some behinds! I may be beaten and bloodied, but I'm gonna reach the finish line! 1.gif

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I will start an ADN program Augst 27th. I am terrified, excited and everything in between ;) I am 47, I came from a foreign country and it took me a while to catch up academically, English is NOT my first language, I am also basically a single parent to a 9 year old (hsuband is stationed elsewhere for a while)

This is HUGE..... :chair:

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

Hang in there you guys!!

I started my first semester of an ADN program last August. I had just lost my mother very unexpectedly that March, was leaving a well-paying job I had had for the previous 6 years, and had no medical background. And I was older -- 50 years of age!!

I lost 8 lbs. my first two weeks of school and was stressed the majority of the semester. And before I knew it, it was time for finals, I was looking at a high "B" average, and it was OVER!!! Second semester was MUCH more smooth sailing, but not stress-free as SoulShine pointed out. I just knew the ropes much better and didn't feel like such a fish out of water at school. The upcoming third semester is supposed to be the WORST -- ugh!!

My best words of advice are to take things on day or week at a time. Stay on top of your work and studying. Get your grades up early so if something happens later on in the semester, you won't be so far behind you can't keep up if a test grade or two slips.

Take advantage of learning opportunities. Seek them out during clinicals if you can. Don't drive your nurses on the floor nuts when you can get assistance from your instructor or a fellow classmate. Offer to help the staff at the site when you have downtime and ALWAYS offer help to your fellow clinical students when you can. Keep your eyes and ears open.

I had an opportunity to do an internship this summer. BEST learning experience so far AND I'm getting paid!! Be enthusiastic and positive about what you're learning/doing and be open to all experiences. Keep the whiny, negative folks at an arm's distance. There is good and bad in all things; nursing is the same. You chose this path for some reason; give yourself an opportunity to make your own decisions about the good and bad in it all.

And be nice to your fellow classmates as much as you can; even those you don't care for. These are people you will be in school with for at least the next 4 semesters and beyond. You will need each other in practice for lab checkouts, clinicals, and for emotional support when your family and friends don't understand what you're going through. Keep gossip at a minimum, because as the old saying goes: "What goes around, comes around".

Good luck all!! Enjoy the time before school starts and then enjoy the ride!! :balloons:

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Soulshine, I also feel the need to get the household in order before school starts. I feel like I need to do a deep cleaning and I'm thinking of meals I can freeze ahead of time. I've got a really supportive husband. He knows he won't have a life either because he'll be taking care of kids every night and on weekends!

I already made up my mind that I'm going to surround myself with positve and focused students. Luckily, I know a couple of them and they also have kids and are going back to school to pursue their dream, so we'll know what each other is going through. I know it will be hard and I know I will be time-managing up the wahzoo. It will be stressful and tiring but I've wanted this for so long that quitting is not an option. I keep telling myself that it will only be 2 years!! 1.gif

Soulshine, thanks for your honesty. I'll definitely check out your blog. I like hearing other people's experiences. It helps me to know what to expect. But I tell you, I think nursing students are amazing people. To want something so bad that they go into it anyway, knowing all the sacrifices and hardships they will have to endure to reach their goal. I'm glad I found this site. The positive attitudes and encouragement here is very inspiring!

Yup, you better believe I'm gonna get out there and kick some behinds! I may be beaten and bloodied, but I'm gonna reach the finish line! 1.gif

That is the best attitude you can have...knowing that no matter what, you will finish and that quitting isn't an option. You need that drive to push yourself and throughout this process you'll learn just how strong of a person you are. You will hold your head high knowing that you're the best of the best and that no matter what obstacles stand in your way, you will find a way to get past it and you'll be so proud.

Once you get the first semester under your belt there is no way in :angryfire you'll ever quit. No one can work that hard and just give up. We have lost a lot of ppl over the past 2 years. Some quit, some failed, some got pregnant and wanted to wait. I always told myself that unless I was dead (LOL) I wasn't giving up. Don't ever lose sight of the prize at the end of the madness. Good luck and congrats! :balloons:

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Specializes in na.

Hey all, I start August 16 (which is a thursday, strange). I am so nervous but that is also combined with excitement. I have worked so hard for this and I know I can accomplish this task. It is just pretty daunting to look at the pictures of the classes before me, and know that they started with 70 people, and there are only 25-30 people in the picture!!!:uhoh21: But, I know if I keep to it things will work out fine. Good luck to all of us starting this fall and all that are working in it right now!

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I think your fear and worry are healthy at this point. I would be much more concerned if you were not scared at all. Your anxiety will keep you on your toes and focused on details. I start my second semester in August, and I feel just as anxious as I did before I started the program. You are about to embark on the roller coaster ride of your life. The high's are great and the low's will kick your butt!! But like previous posters have stated.....never doubt yourself or your ability to do this. Don't be afraid to ask questions and DO NOT be afraid to jump in hands on first day of clinicals!!! I will never forget my second day of cinicals. My 80 yr old male pt had an order for an in & out foley cath q 6hrs. Of course I had to do it. I have NEVER been so nervous in my life, but I jumped right in and did the very best I could. I made mistakes, almost broke sterile field, instructor had to help me out, but you know what....I was so proud of myself for getting through it. My knees were knocking and I was pouring sweat, but my hands were steady and sure!

Make yourself a BIG poster that simply says..."I will not quit!" and look at it daily, because this is a hard journey, but SO rewarding!

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Specializes in na.
I think your fear and worry are healthy at this point. I would be much more concerned if you were not scared at all. Your anxiety will keep you on your toes and focused on details. I start my second semester in August, and I feel just as anxious as I did before I started the program. You are about to embark on the roller coaster ride of your life. The high's are great and the low's will kick your butt!! But like previous posters have stated.....never doubt yourself or your ability to do this. Don't be afraid to ask questions and DO NOT be afraid to jump in hands on first day of clinicals!!! I will never forget my second day of cinicals. My 80 yr old male pt had an order for an in & out foley cath q 6hrs. Of course I had to do it. I have NEVER been so nervous in my life, but I jumped right in and did the very best I could. I made mistakes, almost broke sterile field, instructor had to help me out, but you know what....I was so proud of myself for getting through it. My knees were knocking and I was pouring sweat, but my hands were steady and sure!

Make yourself a BIG poster that simply says..."I will not quit!" and look at it daily, because this is a hard journey, but SO rewarding!

A foley cath every 6 hours on your second day! OMG, no wonder you knees were knocking, mine would have been too! I feel bad for the poor man, cath's are no fun!

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I start August 21st... The only thing I'm really scared about is passing out. I kinda have slight needlephobia. =S

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Hello. I start nursing school in the fall at Marshall University. I am in the BSN program. I am scared and nervous but I know that is to be expected. I have worked in the medical field for the past 6 years as a medical assistant. I know I have the compassion and drive to be a RN. I wish everyone luck in their program.

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Thank you for all the advice and encouragment. I really appreciate your input. Once I went to orientation, I felt a little better that I got to know the students that I will be with for the next year. Thanks again.

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I am in my last week of my first semester in NS. It has been very difficult and extemely intense being that it is a short semester.

I started out doing NOTHING but studying. Big mistake (HUGE). I nearly sabotaged this whole semester and was really ready to give up. I got so exhausted I did nothing but sleep after I got home till 3:00 a.m. in the third week, so in short, I did very little studying that week.

Take breaks. Exercise. Take care of yourself. I am just praying that it is not too late to do well on the tests I will be taking this next week.

If I make it through this semester, I assure you next semester will be different.

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