Prereqs Admissions Orientation Freaking out

[tmc843]

Ok, so two years ago I began my nursing school journey by completing my prerequisites. (Five years ago if I count getting my CNA and working for a year in an oncology unit for a year. And before moving across country and then going back to school.)

A brief summary of myself - I am in my late 30's and have mostly been a stay at home mom for nearly 10 years. I was accepted into a pretty competitive nursing program and begin next month. It has been my dream for a while. I worked my butt off to complete my prerequisites. But I know that has difficult as some of those course may have seemed, they won't even come close to what I am about to encounter.

I am now starting to feel full of anxiety and wondering how I am going to be able to pull this off. My family has been routing for me and telling me that I can do this since this crazy journey began. I am so scared I am going to fail and not only let myself down, but let them down. I have read every article possible on this site. Between resting, cleaning my house, and reading every article I can find and I feel like I will never be prepared enough. I thought after orientation I would have a better feel for what to expect but I don't.

I am just as nervous as ever. I am going to keep posting in hopes that in voicing my anxieties I can find others that relate with me and that I also relieve some of my own stress.

I still have several tasks to complete before school starts. For now, I am going to focus on those, and perhaps a few hopeful words of encouragement.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

[midwifemae]

I understand how you feel. I am a wife and mom and have been in nursing school and it has not been easy. I have shared the same concerns about failing but you cannot let yourself think like that. It is already hard enough so I have taken what my family has said as my encouragement and I have made it work. There are have been moments of incredible joy and success as well as failure BUT that doesn't mean I was done. I kept going. I made sure I communicated with my professors about anything I was struggling with and they helped as much as they can.

I already suffer from anxiety and it sounds like maybe you do as well? If so, you may want to work on your self-care habits now like meditation, yoga, and relaxation. I have also had to use anti-anxiety meds and honestly, I would not be the sane nursing student today without them! I now only have 8 months left before graduation (2 year program) and I am terrified of my next two classes (Peds and Med surg 2) but I know I can do it. Stay strong!

[AngelKissed857, BSN, RN]

Pretty much every new nursing student seems to have exactly the same emotions- you're normal. I will tell you that for me, Physio was far harder than my nursing school classes- and I graduated with honors. The only students who didn't make it through in my class- either didn't study (seriously, one never even bought the texts!), or English was not their first language, and they just couldn't make the transition- but were later readmitted, and I'm sure will pass the second time through, or those with overwhelming personal/family/emergency situations that couldn't have been anticipated. Deep breathing, drop those shoulders down to where they belong. Fake it till ya make it- pretend to have confidence in classes and skills lab if you need to. Always get the lay of the land before standing out in any way. Know if you are a study group kind of person or a solitary learner, and proceed accordingly. I'm sure you'll be fine, if frazzled. It's a slog, for sure! But you're gonna to be a different person in 2 years, and though you will graduate with a wealth of knowledge and skills, it is honestly only the very beginning of your journey. Best of luck to you, and all the new nurslings just going into their program!