Scared To Start Nursing School

kindgo · Jun 14, 2007

Hi Folks,

Just finished orientation yesterday, and it was not what I expected. I still don't feel prepared.

The instructors mentioned VARK, they will put us in groups and basically we teach each other the information. There is evidence that this works well. It really made me even more nervous.

Thanks for all the advice here. August is coming soon, so I will continue to read the boards looking for more advice.

In the end I think it will be great!!!!

Keep Looking up.

nolookingback · Jun 20, 2007

Hello...I will be starting my first semester of nursing school in August. While I'm THRILLED and ready to jump in with both feet, I'm scared to death! I think I'm scared of the "unknown" as it's different than other majors. Has anyone else dealt with this fear and how did you handle it? :chair:
Thank you!!!

Hi! I just finished my second semester and all I can say is "please remember to manage your time!!" There is an incredible amount of information to remember. If you think it won't be on a test...chances are, it will be - so read the designated chapters! Nursing school is probably the toughest thing you will go through, but it too shall pass! Learn everything you can from every possible experience. If you get yelled at by a clinical instructor - suck it up, learn a lesson and press on. Don't focus too much on what grade you will get (easier said than done). Just remember, learn as much as you can to be the best nurse you can be - no more, no less. If you are used to getting A's (chances are you've got what it takes to get through) don't be discouraged if you get a B or C. Find out what you missed on a test so you won't make the same mistake twice. Don't worry about the person sitting next to you - his/her grade should not mean a thing to you. This is an individual effort - give 100%.....Much luck to ya.

nolookingback · Jun 20, 2007

Strive for the best possible grades BUT also remember Nursing school is much different than other college courses/degrees you may have taken. Many people who are 4.0 for pre-reqs or a previous degree see their grades slide some. (I personally had this happen as did many many of my friends). Don't kill yourself over grades a bit lower than you are use to but always try to do your best!
Learn TIME MANAGEMENT ASAP! Without it you will never succeed.
If family asks what they can do to help, give them something to do! Test you on a chapter, check their vitals, have them make dinner, do the dishes, wash clothes, give the kids a bath etc. I never use to ask for or take any help from my family. I was able to do it alone. Now if my hubby asks me what he can do, he gets a list to choose from
Do NOT fall behind. Always be on target or ahead..never behind. If you fall behind its difficult to catch up!
On days you have "nothing" to do, or nothing you have to hand in the next day, grab your syllabus and see what chapters you will be doing next, READ it, do the workbook if you have one, practice the upcoming skills if possible. Or just review material for upcoming tests. I am never idle. I am always doing something in regards to school. Thats not to say you can not take a break, but don't be taking a break all the time. (does that make sense the way I said it?)
Realize that there are going to be many many personalities in your class. Some you click with, some you don't. Do not fall into the "gossip mill", avoid all drama at all costs, if you fall into it, it only drags you down. Remember that you have to deal with these people for quite some time and its always better to be on good terms with someone than bad.
Do not worry about or try to compete with others grades. YOUR scores are the only ones that pertain to YOUR license! Compete with yourself!
ASK FOR HELP WHEN you realize you need it, not when its too late!
And lastly, remember to laugh and try to have some fun!
Best of luck! Its a long, winding, rocky road. But you can travel it and get to your final destination...sitting for the NCLEX and PASSING!

On this post, you get an A++! I couldn't have said it better myself. Ditto, ditto, ditto. I have two kids, (husband makes 3), a night job and SCHOOL. I wonder how I ever get through a semester! All I know is that you really have to want to do your best - no less. In a few years, we'll all look back and say "wow, I did that?!"......that will feel so good. No matter who you are, what your circumstances may be, do not give up! We have all made a decision to become one of the most respected professional's out there - NURSES! How proud will you be on that day - when you find out you've passed your boards? I can't wait!! Good luck to everyone!

RN in 2008!!!

dschueler · Jun 20, 2007

Well, my clogged bile duct is starting to hurt again, and I was afraid of this, so I decided to postpone and hold back to the next class starting in October, that way if I have to have surgery again, it will give me a few months to get well, and heal up. It really pained me to do this, but my doctor had asked me to wait, but I just didn't want to admit I should not start now, but when I woke up this morning, so nauseated I could barely lift my head off the pillow, so I called the director this morning, and I told my instructor yesterday and the DON what had been going on with me, and that it had taken me months to get to the point where I finally was getting into the doctors now. I had gastric bypass 19 months ago, and plastics last December, and also a lap assisted ERCP last October, where they did a sphincterotomy since I did not have a gallbladder since 94. My body is making bile stones...and they are getting lodged in my sphincter, as well as the scar tissue we think which has clogged it again. I feel really good somedays, and somedays I have lots of pain. All I could think about today was, I could tough it out all year, feeling sick, and when I graduate, I will have (to myself known) that I would have really done twice as much "work" having to deal with the illness on top of school, so it was stupid of me to try to push it now, but no worries. The DON and director of the college both said to just get well, and no worries, I can start with the next class in October, and I will.....better be, healed and feeling 100% then.

:)

Don't be scared....I had a blast yesterday, except because I had been in RN school before and used to be a lab tech in Microbiology and worked in both PACU and the Lab for 3 years back in the 90's, we were doing all medical terminology this week, and I was the only one who knew all the answers...so I was bored to tears yesterday. There was one other guy who was an EMT, who also knew a lot, so I was really glad I had all my background experience.

I know I could have taken all the tests and done well even if I missed the classes, but you cannot legally pass and miss classes even if you got 100's on everything. SO, I also did not want to seem arrogant or want people to think me a "know it all" so I made sure not to answer all the questions yesterday unless no one answered, and the teacher kept asking for someone to answer, then I did.

I am sooo upset I can't do it now I really wish I could, I just know I won't feel well enough, and the director told me not to even think about it, my spot is safe, and my tuition will stay the same since I already paid, and for me just not to even worry. I just get so mad that I had been telling them since last February that I was feeling bad again, and it took this long to get all my tests re-done and appointments with specialists....good grief. I know its the best thing to do, but it doesn't make it any easier to have to hang back. Oh well, if I did it part time, that is 2 years, and by holding back, it still will be quicker doing that, than a part time class. So, I wait an additional 3-4 months, who cares, right? It will still happen, and in the mean time, I can study like crazy and get ahead even more.

Take care, and much love....you will be fine!! Lots of studying, and time consuming, but you can do it!! Just be glad you are not sick like I am, and can do it now, and it will be fun. You will love it!!

Best wishes, and my thoughts and prayers are with all of you on your first day/weeks. :)

Love,

Deb

mom2sam · Jun 29, 2007

Hi mustang sally,

First of all I must say congratulations!! It sure is a long, hard journey to enter the clinical aspect of nursing but hooray you have done it!! Now sit back and relax, take a deep breath and be prepared to work twice as hard as you have in your prereq's to maintain a 4.0 in Nursing C=RN my personal advice is forget about the A's aim for it but do not kill yourself over not getting an A just get a C I just completed my first year of nursing and even though it was a challenge i most definitely enjoyed every moment of it!! Last but not least do not lose yourself and keep on smiling it sure is contagious! sorry for the long reply...:))

sissyboo · Jun 29, 2007

Just some sympathy for you! We're in the "same boat"!!

Good luck to you!!

Mommyto3NursetoBe · Jun 29, 2007

Hi Sally!! First of all I hope you are not getting washed away in Dallas! I am from there too and have been keeping an eye on the weather, can't believe how much rain ya'll are getting! Second, I am totally with you on nursing school, I am soooooo nervous about starting. I start in August as well and every day find myself becoming more and more terrified!! I have these clinical dvd's that I am supposed to watch and I put one in the other day and started to have a panic attack!! :bugeyes: (at least I think that is what it was, hee hee!) Crazy I know! I think if I knew something that I could do to better prepare myself for what's to come I would feel better. I also have three kids and am married so I am concerned about how I am going to manage scheduling and taking care of everyone! And I know other people are going to have to take up some of my slack and that makes me feel bad, but they are all willing so I am just going to graciously accept their help and hope someday I can make it up to them!! Good luck to you!! Kiss the ground for me at home, I miss it!!!

Syncere · Jun 29, 2007

it really feels good to know that i'm not the only one who is scared and second guessing themselves. i'm truly afraid of starting nursing school, but i know that i can do it. i'm working on maintaining a positive attitude no matter what. i'm in it to win it and i look at myself as already being a nurse...i just need the actual certification. as someone already said, being successful will come down to having effective time management skills. i'm in the process of looking for a book that offers tips on how to survive nursing school. ladies, if we have made it this far, we can do this! we will succeed and we will become nurses!! :)

RN2BN2009 · Jul 1, 2007

it really feels good to know that i'm not the only one who is scared and second guessing themselves. i'm truly afraid of starting nursing school, but i know that i can do it. i'm working on maintaining a positive attitude no matter what. i'm in it to win it and i look at myself as already being a nurse...i just need the actual certification. as someone already said, being successful will come down to having effective time management skills. i'm in the process of looking for a book that offers tips on how to survive nursing school. ladies, if we have made it this far, we can do this! we will succeed and we will become nurses!! :)

hello, everyone
i too will start nursing school this august. and i agree with you syncere that we have came to far and "were in it to win it!" always remember to keep your eye on the prize.:biggringi
but, i can also say that i'm excited and scared, however i have permanently etched into my brain my motto:
" i will be a rn in 2009!"

:balloons:congradulations to everyone!!!! and good luck to all!

tippy02 · Jul 1, 2007

I also start nursing school this fall. I am very excited and also nervous because I don't know what to expect. I have a sister that's a RN and her advice to me was to take a vacation before school starts. She says that it is hard work but in the end it is all worth it.

MB37 · Jul 3, 2007

My first semester is over in 17 days! One piece of advice - strive for As. I know that everyone says C=RN, and I absolutely agree. The thing is, if you strive for Cs, you might fail out. Your professors will say thing like "On average, people who get As in this class devote 12-16 hours/week to it alone." Well, so should you. Not everyone who put that much time in got an A, so you really need to just try and do your best. Don't get too disappointed if you lose your 4.0 (I'm trying to steel myself up for that when it happens), but you need to devote all your energy to this to succeed. Also though, do take a little time out for yourself - don't go out every night, but try to have one night where you do something fun each week. Try to keep yourself healthy and try not to get too sleep-deprived either, you'll never feel like you've studied enough, but one more hour at 3 in the morning isn't going to make any difference come exam time the next day. Good luck!

Monty78, LPN · Jul 7, 2007

I am also starting NS in the Fall and am very nervous about it. I will be taking the advice given here. The last thing I want to do is fail out of NS. I am terrible about asking people for help, but I will learn to just ask.

Good luck to everyone starting NS over the summer and Fall.

Thanks for all the great advice from all the current students and grads.