New Student Stress

OC85 · Dec 17, 2008

I guess I'm being a 5 year old here and just want someone to tell me it will all be ok!!

....yeah, pretty much.

Generally, one would be feeling relief, right about now. Hell, once I knew I was in, there was a period of several days where it was more or less impossible to put me in a bad mood.

If your stressing over the thought of merely starting a nursing program [though I can't imagine why], then God help you once classes actually get started....

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Dec 17, 2008

It will be okay !!! I was like you about 4 months ago. I prepared my purchasing a book called " test success for beggininng nursing students" This book taught me how to do time management, relaxation techniques, and also have a ton of practice questions and rationales. I started reading the book a week before classes started and I still refer to it sometimes. You will be okay, You can do this.

sh1901 · Dec 17, 2008

I was completely elated when I found out I had gotten in....I was excited when I started filling out all the forms and getting all of the materials together....then - reality hit.

I appreciate the kind words. I tend to be one of those people who stresses to start with, but is fine once I get going. I suppose it's more of an "anticipation" anxiety more than anything.

rnjls · Dec 17, 2008

Do you know anyone who is already in the program at your school? Maybe you could talk to them and get an idea of what to expect. I know several people who are in different stages of nursing school and I have talked to them alot about school. Although I know that experiencing something is different than having others talk about their experience, I feel more confident.

Also, make sure that you are as organized as you can be before you start. I'm working on organizing my study space, putting my notebooks together, and making sure my finances are in order. I think everything you can do ahead of time will help alleviate some of the stress.

Good luck.

HapEgirl · Dec 17, 2008

When I got my letter of acceptance I cryed for about 30 minutes because I was SOOOOOO happy, but I was also scared to death. Try not to worry too much because it is going to be awesome! You will make lots of new friends and you will all help each other get through the stressful momemts. I am about to begin my last semester and once again.......I am scared to death!!!!

But again, I am soooooo happy and I love nursing. Fear only reminds us that we are alive. This means so much to most of us. Embrace all the crazy emotions, they will be with you for a long time to come!

Good luck, you can do it!

whiteoleander5 · Dec 17, 2008

I am finishing my first semester right now, and I completely remember thinking like that when I got my letter. But at the same time, you are sooo excited. I think that was one of the best days of my life, I felt like I was on top of the world. :cool:

Its scary at first... particularly the first few weeks, its a culture shock for many people including myself. But after you get into a routine of the semester, it was much easier to enjoy it rather than be terrified.

I really loved my first semester... Good luck!:wink2:

runninfool1009 · Dec 18, 2008

Thanks for all the words of encouragement. I, too am beginning my first semester of nursing school in January. I am a little scared, but more excited than anything. I waited two years to get in! This is sort of my dream job, but I know also it's lots of hard work. I guess that a support system becomes invaluable at this time, hmmm?

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2008

I would like to share my thoughts!

I am undergoing such an anxiety that is driving me sort of insane!!!

i planned to start studying whenever i could afford my books, i will be starting in january, and I received my books 2 weeks ago.

I have been cracking my head on pharm, since the nursing director told us to read ahead chapters 1-10 and answer the questions...

i guess i am too afraid of not doing well since i have no medical back ground once or ever, other then beying a response aid on the boy scouts...

I have been memorizing the abbreviations, doing my pharm & fundamentals exercises...

have been watching instructional videos on youtube, on how to administer injections, IM, IV, Butterfly, NG tube, Foleys, asseptic techniques.

since i know most of the people that were accepted in my program, have a medical background, and if not, they are taking now a phleb. course...

and i am a new chicken on all of this...

LOL

i even catch myself giving injections in my mind, or act as if my pillow was a patient and do all the things for the Ztrack.. (cant help it, my brain does not want to rest when i get to bed!)

i guess since all the people that are going to be in my class have all this experiences... i feel like i will be left behind!

thank God 2 of my bff's from pre-reqs are in the medical field, one s PCT and one as al LPN.

i just dont want to be lost!!!

and i also heard that are some MA's that were accepted to the program with a pretty strong personality.. and now i am worried about the drama!!!

i

rnjls · Dec 18, 2008

I also worry that I don't have any medical experience. I'm also very clumsy, so I'm worried that I won't be able to do some of the stuff that requires fine motor skills.

I got my books yesterday, but haven't had a chance to start reading. We don't get our syllabi till the weekend before classes start (they're posted online), so I'm not really sure where to start.

Good luck to everyone who is starting in January.

trauma_queen2010 · Dec 18, 2008

I am in the same boat as you are. I got my acceptance letter over the summer so have had time to get ready for what is to come. Yet the anxiety gets to me at times. Especially this last week while I was waiting for all my grades to be posted as all are pre-req classes.... I start in January and am excited and scared. I work in a hospital and have pick up a lot of thing some good and some bad. I know as soon as school starts I need to kick some bad habits really quick. (like removing the tip of a glove to be able to feel a difficult vein). Its not real world its ideal world in school. Unfortunately working in the real world emergency room noting is ideal.

Ive decided not to buy the books and our module packet thing until a week or two before class starts. Though getting them early probably would be that bad of an idea...

well good luck to you.. Yes it will be ok... I think the wondering what its going to be like is just and agonizing as the program is going to be... Try to relax and enjot the holidays

runninfool1009 · Dec 18, 2008

Wow, CSantos, I want you to be MY nurse! ;-)

I'm sure we'll be okay. My instructor told our class we'd get all the help we need. We're not just going to be thrown to the wolves...We'll just prepare as well as we can (without killing ourselves), and hope it works out from there. I don't have any medical experience either, so I'm a bit freaked out as well.