Scared about School

[miksyrak3]

I am starting nursing school this fall and am very excited/scared/nervous about it. I have not always wanted to be a nurse. In fact, for the first 33-34 yrs of my life I had no clue what I wanted to be. What I did know was this, I loved babies, I wanted a degree, I wanted to make a decent living and I wanted to choose a profession that I would actually be able to obtain a job in once I graduated college. So one day I was at the doctor's office with my daughter and it hit me, I wanted to become a nurse. :)

So here I am, my prereqs are complete and I have been accepted to the nursing program. This is what I have been working towards for the past two years. I should be so happy but I am not, I am just very, very scared. :uhoh21: I have to quit my job this summer and we are going to live off of my husband's income and my student loans. We have two kids and it is going to be a little difficult but we both know that in the long run it will be worth it.

I keep wondering if I will be able pass the classes? The clinicals? Will I be able to give someone a shot? Take blood pressure acurately? Start a cathetar (sp?) I worry about having to bathe people and get poop out of their butts. I know that I can do all of this stuff for babies (ultimate goal is NICU) but I am afraid of working on adults. When I calm down ,I truly believe that once I am there and in the moment I will do what I need to do but thinking about all of it overwhelms me.

My greatest fear is that I will fail, be over 20K in student loan debt and have no job. AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well that is it, I am done ranting. Thanks for listening/reading.

[amuratet]

Don't get yourself worked up over what might be. take one class at a time, one day at a time. I'll tell you that you are going to spend many late nights over the next few years doing care plans. Unavoidable.

As far as the skills, they will come over time and after the first couple of needles or catheters, it will be nothing at all.

A career in Nursing is a great choice. As far as the little ones and NICU, if you continue in school and get the masters, you will be set. Neonatal nurse practitioners are in high demand and will be in the future, especially if Obama gets universal health passed.

I have been a nurse for 27 yrs and I am a guy. I have had my share of teasing, especially after Meet the Parents came out. "not a lot of men in your field, eh Focker?".

[Lilme04]

Wow, you sound pretty much like me! What school will you be attending? I'll be going to College of the Redwoods in Eureka, CA

I too start school this fall! While I don't have kids or a spouse, I worry about how well I'll do at school and in clinicals. My ultimate goal is also to work in NICU. Let's root for each other and keep in touch!

Take care and good luck to us both!

[retread71]

I am a caregiver and in my prereq's. I can tell you that bathing people, poop clean up, BP accurately is not that difficult and you will be able to do it.

[flygirl117]

You have just voiced all my concerns!! (And I haven't even gotten in yet!)

Thanks to all with such supportive and encouraging words!

[miksyrak3]

I will be attending Capital Health's School of Nursing in NJ. I wish you the best of luck!!!

[OnMyWay09]

I feel exactly the same way! I start in the fall also and am excited and scared all at the same time. I am proud to have gotten in and I am excited waiting for fall to get here, then I freak myself out wondering if I will be able to get through it all !!