Nursing student, but scared of nursing?!

Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2005

I understand! My head is not on well either I suppose. I too, do well in school but am a wee bit scared of clinicals. I am pursuing my ADN and am done with all pre req's. Im currently taking fundamentals I & II, and I cry all the way home, almost every day. I've wondered if nursing is for me... but it took me a year to get here, and it is so competitive, so I am trying to stick it out.

i too, like you have just finished my third clinical. Each time that I go in, i am a wee bit scared, but learn a wee bit more. I think that it will get easier as time progresses. Nursing is a BIG job you know...Hang in there!!

ps... If we were confident and knowledged and knew everything, there would be no need for clinicals! Its ok!

pricklypear · Oct 5, 2005

Well, first of all, why do you think you may not want to be a nurse? Is it because now that you see what nurses do, it does not appeal to you? Or is it that you're scared by the unfamiliar environment?

If nursing does not appeal to you, you still have half of a bachelor's degree, and it's not too late to take it another direction - so your education isn't wasted. There's nothing wrong with not wanting to be a nurse! It doesn't appeal to everybody. And it truly would be a waste if you continued into a field which holds no interest for you. You family doesn't have to live the rest of your life, you do.

If, on the other hand, you want to be a nurse, but are just having self-doubt about your abilities, don't worry. Everybody who is unfamiliar with hospitals and nursing is scared at first. It does get better as you get used to things. These boards are full of students who are worried and scared. But, being a nurse is what they want, so they plug away and make progress.

I think you'll find lots of support here. Good luck :wink2:

FLS · Oct 6, 2005

I had a similar experience. After staying at home with two kids for 10 years and being out of school for 17 years I headed back to the classroom. I took class at a community college and did great! The first nursing program I applied to I inched my way in(Associates Degree Program). Only twelve people were chosen for my class and I was #13. One of the applicants chosen got pregnant and dropped and I slid in!!! Copy%20of%20wink.gif

To make a long story short I struggled in clinical and theory both! Clinicals were especially difficult because I was scarred! :chair: I too hated clinicals because I felt like I didn't know what I was doing. Trust me if your heart is in nursing you will do just fine. I too had others around me that I went to school with that seemed to be at ease with their skills. I just hung in there and tried to get my hands on everything. I passed, May 1999 and I continue to learn things daily. The more you do the more comfortable you will become. Of course there will be things you like to do more than others. Sensitivity is important in this profession and most patients will recognize and appreciate this. It is only natural to be afraid of the unknown. Hopefully you have an instructor that you like and respect a lot.

I love it when nursing students work on our floor. Find someone like me during your clinicals that understands how you feel to help you along your journey. Not all of us eat their young!

beduvroses · Oct 6, 2005

You are just like me, but I figure out what I want to do.

Ebony

StephRNBSN · Oct 6, 2005

It is natural to be scared to death in nursing school. And to tell you the truth, when I go to work I am a little bit uneasy...but that just makes me more concise with my assessments and everything else I do in a days work. If you are not scared just a little bit...something is wrong with you!!! You are dealing with people and saving their lives...trust me being scared and uneasy and natural but good also.