Scared Silly! Help!!

Wow! You're all so awesome! I got teary eyed just reading through all the support! It's just good to know that I'm not the only one, ya know? It helps knowing that others have been through this (and survived)! I will definitely have to just "take little bites" and take it one day/week at a time. That syllabus totally overwhelmed me - but I realized that I was looking at the big picture. I need to just focus on what I can get done right now. I'm almost done with my first weeks reading (and my first week is next week)...so I hope that helps me get a good head start. I wish I could record in class...but we're not allowed to. So, I'll have to stick to good 'ol flash cards. Does anyone find doing the book's quizzes (in the book or on their website) to be helpful in studying?

I guess I'm not as worried about being able to handle the school work as I am about neglecting my children and hubby. The past year, doing pre-reqs, I've been able to just do my studying at night after the girls go to bed (and still pull off A's). I'm worried that won't be enough time and that I'll actually have to study during the day. It's hard enough for me to leave them for class hours - but I hate having to lock myself in my room while they're awake. *sigh* I guess I chose this path, and now I need to "pay the consequences." I will keep telling myself that I CAN DO THIS! And hopefully my girls are young enough that years down the road, they won't really remember all the hours that mommy was away. And maybe they'll gain a greater bond with their daddy for all the hours they'll be spending together.

Thanks again for all the comments so far! Keep 'em coming! I'd love to hear some more study tips (when, where, how, etc). I'm working on getting organized...but I'm sure I'll find a better method once school starts and I see where my stuff works best. Oh, and thanks for letting me know that I'm not the only one who will look ridiculous in my white uniform! :chuckle They might as well make us hold a huge flashing sign that says "STUDENT NURSE - Run Away!!" (And thanks for the idea of having an extra pair of pants in the car - just in case!) You have all lifted my spirits. I hope I will be able to have the time to check back here occasionally for that wonderful moral support!!

i just wanted to wish you good luck in your studies! stay focused and never lose sight of your goal. it will be here sooner than you know it!

we had to wear these hideous carribean blue colored scrubs for theory and the all white uniform and a cap big enough to shovel sand into to clinicals. it is beyond worth it to buy a tide pen and shout wipes. :)

Good luck you can do it! like you said you WANT to do it and if you want it you can have it!

Very good suggestion!!! Thanks!! I have a Tide pen... are the shout wipes better? That is too funny that you had to wear such an awful nurses cap - I'm sorry!! I guess I need to count my blessings that my head can stay "cap free." And I'm also grateful that we only have to wear our uniform to clinicals (not for lecture or lab). :)

the difficulty of nursing school is overrated. calm down and take a deep breath. i can't believe all of the hype i was being fed prior to the program. the entire thing was straight forward. you WILL have a social life. you WILL have time to do other things. have fun with it because in 2 years you'll be joining the workforce!

the difficulty of nursing school is overrated. calm down and take a deep breath. i can't believe all of the hype i was being fed prior to the program. the entire thing was straight forward. you WILL have a social life. you WILL have time to do other things. have fun with it because in 2 years you'll be joining the workforce!

I agree completely with this!

In regard to your question: Does anyone find doing the book's quizzes (in the book or on their website) to be helpful in studying? Answer: Absolutely. Forget listening to taped lectures... it's bad enough to sit through it once, and trying to find time to listen to them will only add to your pile o' stuff to do. Read your textbooks, stay caught up w/the reading, and yes yes yes do the practice quizzes/CD material, it does help. Also, invest in a good NCLEX book (no, it's not too early), I used Prentice-Hall's Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN as an adjunct study guide, and it was immensely helpful.

You can - and you WILL - get thru this! Baby steps and organization are the key. Take it one week at a time, because like others have said, looking at the whole tamale' will scare the beejeezus out of you, and you'll be frozen like a deer in the headlights... PM me if you ever need an ear to bend..

You have tons of support here on AN if you ever need to let off steam, ask questions, whatever! If you want to do this....you WILL do it...somehow. I'm not a parent but I can imagine how tough it will be. Just keep your eyes on the prize. Oh, and my scrubs are a hideous shade of maroon....ICK!!!

Good luck!!! Your family will be proud!:redpinkhe