Nursing School... Really??

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I am a brand new nursing student, just admitted into my school's program a couple of months ago. I'm terrified. Let me give you some background...

I started college as an English Education major. Decided I couldn't grade papers for the rest of my life, so I switched to Art Education, decided I couldn't grade artwork for the rest of my life. (At 17, do you really know what you want to do?). So, I switched (again) to Sociology, but who really wants to do research? Finally, I decided to take some time off and decide what it was I really wanted to do. After a series of unfortunate events, I became a financially independant adult. Suddenly responsible for rent, car insurance, phone, groceries etc., I figured I had better get a degree so I could actually pay my bills without counting down the days until my next paycheck. I started working as a receptionst at a radiology clinic and fell in love with the medical field. It's a mystery, especially in radiology--A patient comes in, presenting any number of symptoms, you run some tests, you ask some questions, you spend some time with your patient, then you decide how to make them better. The puzzle part of it all was beautiful. You get to actually have a hand in making people feel better, and isn't that what everyone wants to do; help people?

So, i got back in college. I decided nursing was the route I needed to take. I got into all the pre-reqs--chemistry, biology, intro to nursing, human development... And I actually got in! I couldn't believe my stroke of good luck. I had worked so hard for this, and it was finally paying off. I smiled so hard I cried, I smiled so hard my face ached, I smiled so hard I actually called people I hadn't spoken to in years, just so I could hear them smiling with me.

I GOT IN!!

Now, what? I'm terrified. I've struggled to make A's in chem and bio and all the other pre-reqs. I've made it, sure, but now I have to actually make it through. Because of my financial situation, I am obligated to work full time in order to pay for bills and pay for school. I'm sure there are other people who have been in my shoes--How did you do it??? I'm struggling in the first semester... What do I do to be successful in my 5th and last semester?

I know I must sound very childish, I just feel as if I have finally found my passion. I'm scared I won't be able to realize it all now that I'm in and am obligated to so much time and money. Any tips and nuggets of wisdom would be greatly appreciated...

-Lexi

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

! am in your shoes! it is Doable!!!

1- organization, i use google email with google calendars and email alert to all my does, even to remind me what i need to study and to send me reminder 4 days prior to tests.

2- forget about life out there, school and work are your priorities, the rest will just have to wait

3- cook your food ahead of time, so you have food to eat, and dont waste money, time preparing it often, i cook once a week for week days.

4- get on a schedule, dont procrastinate, studying a bit everyday will take you long ways!

5- take thousand of questions, rent a whole bunch of NCLEX style questions and answer them, read the rationales! they teach you more than you can think!

6- pray pray and pray!

7- give your self pat in the backs (coz no one will)

8- put your big boy/girl panties on and forget drama

9- get a study budy

10- dont freak out, too much time is wasted (in my perspective) with drama, cries, complains, wining, and all that bs... if you study instead of complain (for some stupid little reason) you will gain alot more

!!! there you go, that is what works for me,

you will have to tweak for it to fit your needs!

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Hospice.

Hi Lexi. You really hit the nail on the head! For myself it REALLY hit me a few days ago after orientation and after I received my schedule. I am finally there! The last two years of waiting and prereqs is over. I start in January. BUt, uh-oh! Can I actually do this? What was I thinking? NUrsing? Let me pick one of the hardest, most important professions in the world. Yes, I am scared but I am also motivated, intelligent, and very excited to join the profession.

Thank you for such a great question and post, to remind me I am not alone. Thanks for the tips, helpingothers.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Hey Helpingothers, are you the previous CS? Just wonderin, I recognized your pic. Not to mention the good advice.

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I worked full time for three years during nursing school, I knew people who worked and had three kids to raise on top of it! It's very doable as long as you take care of yourself and know how to manage stress well. Good luck with school I'm glad you found something you feel passionate about! :).

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Thank you for this post! I have always wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl. For Christmas I would ask for medical play kits and doctor kits, and play doctor on my dolls! I went through some self esteem and lack of confidence all through middle and high school and figured I would never be able to be a nurse, that I just couldn't do it. So I didn't go straight to college. Fast forward a year, I started college and started taking just general education classes, (still doubting my ability to be a nurse) but then I took A&P and everyone told me how hard it was and they barely passed and blah blah. So again down goes the confidence and what do ya know... I made an A.. went on to A&P2.. another A.. so I told myself I CAN DO THIS! I applied for nursing and didn't get in, devastated at the time, but now realize I wasn't prepared and glad I didn't get in. Applied again for the next semester, and I got in and here I am now. I screamed when I found out I was in and so excited I just kept smiling. Now here I am 1 month till school starts freaking out again thinking.. what the crap am I getting myself into, can I really do it, seriously people lives are going to be in MY hands!?!? I just have to remember that I CAN do this, and your post makes me feel so much better that I'm not the only one going through the pre-starting doubts! We CAN do it and we WILL! To all the students starting in the Spring, GOODLUCK! Hopefully we can all meet back here next year and see how far we've come.

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Specializes in interested in NICU!!.

have you thought of taking loans or applying for grants? i am taking small loans because i need them to pay some bills. i know debt comes to mind, but like someone else said in another thread, its 'good' debt because it will put you through school. good luck

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Lferren...its not childish..i feel (and many others im sure) feel the same exact way....i finally got the pre-reqs out the way, and im acutally IN....now im worried about making it through to the finish line!!! scared, excited and everything in between....csantos aka helpingothersinlife gave great advice....we will do it!

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i think Chapis made a good point, LOANS! yes it sucks to pay them off but if you are responsible with your money and don't go on a shopping spree when you get it then a little money will go a long way. also most loans give you 10 years to pay them off so when you are a nurse and making pretty good pay checks you can pay them off a little at a time. this is what i do, i work part time and take out loans each year for rent and all my major bills while my part time job pays for food and gas and anything else i need. it is doable, just take everything a step at a time and believe in yourself! ;) good luck!

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.
Hey Helpingothers, are you the previous CS? Just wonderin, I recognized your pic. Not to mention the good advice.

yep that is me! how are you coming along?

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