Panic is setting in...

I graduated in December. My advice is to be patient with yourself. This is certainly easier said then done. Keep reviewing the skills you have learned, but keep in mind there is a steep learning curve when it comes to nursing. Nursing school prepares you to some extent, but there is a lot of on the job learning--which is challenging as well as rewarding. I think panic is a normal feeling. Enjoy the milestones you reach. When graduation day comes--CELEBRATE--ENJOY THE MOMENT. Then study for the NCLEX. I had two review books (Mosby and Saunders), a box of review questions, and I also took a review course. Try to study at least two hours a day for four days and 1hr for one day and one day off. This is a stressful time in your life, so make sure you are surrounded by people who are supportive. Best of luck to you--you will make it!!!!

Congrats...you're almost there! Most of us felt that way. I almost went to see a Dr.- I was practically having panic attacks thinking about graduation last year this time. It'll fly by...and from day to day you'll go from being amazed at what you finally realize you DO know...to sudden shock (for me at 6 months) at the sudden realization of everything I STILL had to learn.

Panic? That's NORMAL. Everyone goes through it. I've been in nursing (RN) 11 yrs this may.

I can remember my days. I took the test. It ended at 75 questions. Turns out it ended b/c 75 was the minimum if you get all the questions right.

I personally did not take a review course. After graduation I went back to being a cna. and when I had free time I just did the nclex book, question and answer, and did the cd. the answers I got wrong, I looked into the rationale. Duh, that makes sense. lol.

Took me about 1 month to go through the book at my own pace. So less stress.

As far as being all thumbs. don't worry your confidence will build at 3 months, 6 months, 1 yr. etc.

Last yr, I took an lpn under my wing ,so to speak. I showed her what to do, what to ask, what not to do, what to avoid, etc. 1 yr later, she is happy I showed her the ropes. She is progressing nicely. You need to find someone that will encourage you and steer you in the right direction and take away your anxiety. B/c you will have ALOT OF IT!!!!! I personally had a crappy start, so I didn't want that for the lpn "I took under my wing". It's the right thing to do.

Take a deep breath, cause you're in it for the long haul. Always think if things that way. If you stumble along the way. That's OK. You stumbled when you were a kid, and you walk fine now don't you? lol.

Keep us posted.

Thanks everyone!

I was fine until I started that role transition thing and then got bypassed for an in-school preceptorship. The old self-confidence has taken too many blows this past week.

Deep breath......angst:uhoh3::no:to.....:heartbeat:heartbeat:lol2::bow:grace...

At least I can laugh today!

About 4 weeks before I graduated I went to my family Dr for a swollen gland that was bugging me, 20 min later, i was in tears. She was hugging me telling me "dont worry it will be OK--your going to make a great nurse -- "now lets talk about prozac" "!!

Now I give her report on her patients...

FYI I filled the prozac prescription and took my last one a few days before boards.

Try not to panic. I've been at it about 5 months now and have had some bad days, but over time you get so much repetition on certain tasks that you will cease to be all thumbs and will start to gain proficiency. But, it just takes time and a few months to settle in.

Don't panic ...every single nurse went through the same transition -- they weren't born nurses!