Scared to become a nurse? Is this healthy?

[bailey133284]

I'm a over 1/2 way through my program to have my ADN and I am scared. I haven't been really up till now. I make good grades and haven't had to struggle much, but I feel like there is so much information that I may not be retaining. I know and understand the knowledge base of most of the concepts but I am terrified of actually becoming a nurse, I am scared I am going to miss something that I should see right in front of my face and that it will have serious implications for that patients life. I start my working with a preceptor next semester and when it comes to clinicals I doubt my assessments because I don't know if what I hear/see is normal or abnormal because I of lack of experience. I just need to know if this is normal. it causes me to doubt myself, and I know that can lead to mistakes. anyone else have this same problem? Thanks in advance!

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Yep, terrified. I'm going into my last semester and I don't feel like I know 1/2 of what I should at this point. My sister, a long-time nurse said, "everyone feels this way- and the truth is, you're not going to feel like a nurse for a while."

[bailey133284]

Thanks I just feel like every time I ask one of my class mates they don't get it. which some of them already have experience (ex paramedic or LPN), and the other ones that don't scare me at clinical! ya know? thanks!

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

This is SO normal! It takes a long long time to be comfortable in your assessment skills. You have your coworkers and charge nurse there to verify anything if you are unsure. You are not alone

[dslothour]

I am in the same boat as you. I am in my second of four semester of clinicals. I feel like I can do basic skills and that is about it. I too have trouble if I am hearing the correct thing. I have had a few friends also say that it takes a good 1-2 years to feel comfortable after you graduate. Lets just hang in there and graduate and it will all fall into place afterward....hopefully

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Lose the words "terrified" and "scared," stop telling yourself that RIGHT NOW. I mean it! Don't make me call out the flying monkeys, young lady/gentleman! :)

Seriously, now, what good are those words doing you? Are they helpful? Are they getting you happily through your day as you keep ruminating on them? Of course not! A little anxiety is fine, and we worry ourselves sick when we have some new grad or student who waltzes around with no visible clue that she understands how important her learning is and what her responsibilities are as a result. But hey! You are in school! You are learning! You haven't been thrown out of the program so we gotta figure that you're doing what you should be doing at this stage of your development!

If your faculty aren't total cream puffs (and I'll bet they aren't, not by a long shot) then trust their judgment on that. We do. We know they've seen it before, and if you weren't good to go, you'd have heard by now.

Go forth!

:flwrhrts: