new students - what do you fear most?

[speedykicks]

What are you most freaked out about learning in nursing school? What makes you the most nervous? I am worried about taking blood. My hands tend to shake a little, even when I am not nervous, but really bad when I am nervous. I plan to take beta-blockers in nursing school so poor patients don't have to see shakes the clown coming at them with a needle.

I have been really trying to desensitize myself to the idea of sticking a needle into someone's vein. I look at people's arms a lot and visualize calmly and gently finding a vein, making the stick, etc. I know that seems strange, but just trying to gear up for it.

For all of you experienced students - do you usually get free time in the labs to just practice and practice on the models?? Do you practice blood draws on your fellow students?

[nurse051]

Wow I really don't feel alone anymore because of you guys experiences about your young children. I too have a young 2 year old who will be 3 and a half when I start my nursing classes and clinicals. I to am afraid about leaving my child in preschool and hoping that she will like it and not get sick alot. I have been a stay at home mom and with her since she was born. I have finished all my prereq's and was accepted into the nursing clinicals this past March and now that I am too waiting to begin my nursing clinicals and lecture I worry about my little girl and will she make friends and enjoy preschool. I also have this huge desire to be the best nurse I can be. I have always wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember and I have worked so hard to keep high marks to get accepted into the program :uhoh21:

[soontobe_RN]

Dru, yes I did get the PM, which I'm sure you know by now. :)

I have to say preschool was the best thing I ever did for my 5 y/o. I put him in last fall(04). He was still 4y/o at the time. I was really nervous about it at first. He cried for 2 weeks strait every day when I dropped him off. Finally, he got the hang of it. Now, that school has ended for the summer, he keeps asking about his teachers and friends. He is starting Kindergarden in the fall when I am starting clinical. I guess my son and I will be going through the nervousness together. You know, everyone keeps telling me that in the end all the sacrifices will be worth it, but missing time with my sons is hard to think of as being worth it. Do you know what I mean? I love my sons and husband more than anything else in this world, but I also love nursing. Not to mention that this career is the only way I will ever be able to give my sons a good future. The closer and closer August gets the more and more I feel guilty qnd question if I am doing the best thing. In my heart I feel I am. My oldest says he understands. Of course, this is b/c I promised him I would take the family to Disney World when I get my 1st vacation as a nurse :chuckle . I guess we will just have to see how it goes.

Jen

[dru2007]

I too love my family more than anything in the world. I know that having my nursing license would provide opportunities that we really can't at this time. My husband also works tons and I have to find endless, creative ways to fill my son's time. Today we went to the science center. He had fun, I am exhausted from chasing him for three hours by myself. My son, who will be four on June 23 has been attending preschool since I started my prereqs two years ago. Only for the two 1/2 days a week that I was attending classes. He likes it. Except now, he is ever more clingy when I drop him off. He knows that school, for me, is approaching, and he doesn't want me to go. He says all the time that he doesn't want me to be a nurse. He only wants me to make him feel better, not other people. :rotfl:

It is going to be very hard to leave him for all that extra time but I do know that in the long run (which isn't very long) it will pay off ten fold for both of us. I am looking forward to spending this time with adults and learning so many new things that I will be in awe of my abilities. I can't wait to be totally proud of myself. Now if I could stick to a diet and exercise plan!!

I know that if we all just keep the big picture in mind, we can work out the problems.

Dru, yes I did get the PM, which I'm sure you know by now. :)

I have to say preschool was the best thing I ever did for my 5 y/o. I put him in last fall(04). He was still 4y/o at the time. I was really nervous about it at first. He cried for 2 weeks strait every day when I dropped him off. Finally, he got the hang of it. Now, that school has ended for the summer, he keeps asking about his teachers and friends. He is starting Kindergarden in the fall when I am starting clinical. I guess my son and I will be going through the nervousness together. You know, everyone keeps telling me that in the end all the sacrifices will be worth it, but missing time with my sons is hard to think of as being worth it. Do you know what I mean? I love my sons and husband more than anything else in this world, but I also love nursing. Not to mention that this career is the only way I will ever be able to give my sons a good future. The closer and closer August gets the more and more I feel guilty qnd question if I am doing the best thing. In my heart I feel I am. My oldest says he understands. Of course, this is b/c I promised him I would take the family to Disney World when I get my 1st vacation as a nurse :chuckle . I guess we will just have to see how it goes.

Jen

[dru2007]

Keep in mind, it is not the grades in nursing school, it is the understanding of the material. I have read in a couple of books that if you just do the best you can and leave time for your family, you all will survive this much better.

It sure is nice to know that other prenursing students do have some of the same concerns. Hang in there...I believe there is strength in numbers!!

Wow I really don't feel alone anymore because of you guys experiences about your young children. I too have a young 2 year old who will be 3 and a half when I start my nursing classes and clinicals. I to am afraid about leaving my child in preschool and hoping that she will like it and not get sick alot. I have been a stay at home mom and with her since she was born. I have finished all my prereq's and was accepted into the nursing clinicals this past March and now that I am too waiting to begin my nursing clinicals and lecture I worry about my little girl and will she make friends and enjoy preschool. I also have this huge desire to be the best nurse I can be. I have always wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember and I have worked so hard to keep high marks to get accepted into the program :uhoh21:

[Efen]

I'm terrified of messing up and hurting/killing someone. I'm currently taking a CNA course because it is a pre-req for a second-degree BSN program. I'm nervous that during clinicals as a CNA I'm going to drop someone or hurt them if I have to change an ostomy bag. It worries me that if I'm nervous about CNA duties, I won't be able to handle BSN school/work.