Second thoughts.......................

elkpark · Mar 11, 2008

Well, it's certainly normal to start worrying about lots of odd things when you're getting ready to start something as demanding as nursing school -- this is a v. stressful time for you! :)

Be sure to always eat a good breakfast before clinicals, even if you're not normally a breakfast-eater -- you'll need those calories and energy for your day. Going to clinical on an empty stomach is just setting yourself up for something like fainting.

Also, I'll bet that nearly every nurse here could tell you a story of "the time that" s/he threw up/passed out/burst out crying/whatever in clinical -- we all survived (plus, we all graduated and got licensed!), and we can look back on it now and laugh.

Try to just relax and take it one day at a time, and don't worry about things until you need to (I know; easier said than done). You'll have plenty of stuff to worry about once you start school, and the more stuff you see (once you're in school), the more you'll get used to it.

Best wishes for your new adventure! :balloons:

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2008

If you become faint during clinicals the experienced nurses will smile indulgently and seat you with you head between your knees and get you a glass of water.

:)

Jules A, MSN · Mar 11, 2008

((Scrubs)) you will be just fine!

Its overwhelming at first so I'm sure you are worrying needlessly. In any event get plenty of sleep, eat breakfast, pump your calves to keep the blood flowing and if you feel woozy go sit down before you fall down. No big deal! :)

natrgrrl · Mar 13, 2008

Anxiety and self doubt aren't going to stop you if you are committed to becoming a nurse, which you know you are. After you get past those feelings you will feel a little more comfortable with yourself just in time for another wave of the same feelings. Sometimes, I think that is what nursing school is all about! :bugeyes: It's scary to leave your comfort zone but it will be so rewarding.

Good luck during school and especially clinicals.

MAmom81 · Mar 13, 2008

Ok... so I start LPN school next month and have been completely excited and sure about becoming an nurse. Then all of a sudden the other night I had a terrible thought. What happens if during clinicals I become faint or sick? I worked in LTC for many years as a CNA....and plan to work in LTC when I get my license. So why am I so worried now? Is this normal? The thought and sight of skin tears always gave me the heebie-geebies but I was never faint at the sight of them.
Perhaps the thoughts of the upcoming pressure of school has me second guessing myself... Taking out the loan, committing to one year of working my buns off , taking the dreaded NCLEX.....
Anyone else go through this? :uhoh21:

I will hopefully start LVN Nursing School this Fall 2008-#44 on LVN wait list & they are anticipating accepting 45 students for Fall 2008!!!!OMG!!! I am also so very excited about starting nursing school but like you at same time I can be kind of squmish & hope I won't faint when I start clinicals & then there taking out a loan, taking the NCLEX-PN when I finish nursing school scares the *** out me not ot mention work my behind off in school-I cannot afford to screw up-no pressure haha!!!! but I know that this is my dream & I will be working hard & getting through clinicals. So keep your head up you can do this!!!! at least you have CNA experince I have no medical experience, I am freakin out:bugeyes::selfbonk::sstrs:!!!! if you can let me know how your first day goes ok.

MAmom81 · Mar 13, 2008

Anxiety and self doubt aren't going to stop you if you are committed to becoming a nurse, which you know you are. After you get past those feelings you will feel a little more comfortable with yourself just in time for another wave of the same feelings. Sometimes, I think that is what nursing school is all about! It's scary to leave your comfort zone but it will be so rewarding.
Good luck during school and especially clinicals.

You said it perfectly, going to Nursing School for me too it's like leaving my comfort zone, thanks you said exaclty what I have been thinking!!!! That is part of why it took me awhile to get the courage to apply to nursing school-besides doubting my abilities, was leaving my comfort zone & taking a huge challenge & applying to school.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 14, 2008

Transitioning is a fearful time. If you are reading here often, you hear the horror stories, you imagine yourself in the nurse's shoes, now that you are a CNA, and sure, it would be overwhelming to think of undertaking such a commitment. I remember before I started school, I went to the bookstore and purchased their anatomy textbook and study guide. My plan was to start reading it before I began to 'get ahead'. I took one look at chapter 1, saw that they were speaking about atoms, molecules and chemical compounds, and took two days off of work to lay in bed and cry my eyes out. My husband had to remind me that this was 'fundamentals' and that the professor would not expect me to know all of this, but would teach me. Now, mind you, it was a hard class, but I did manage a B. Once you get into the swing of things, you will survive if you want to be a nurse. All of us that post here either did it or are working on it.

I used to have a light meal before going to clinicals because I am not a breakfast eater...it makes me really nauseous and bloated. But, I ate some boiled eggs, toast and had a juice or tea. I'm done, now, and working. Good luck, you'll make it! And, yes, your feelings are completely normal!

*Scrubs* · Mar 15, 2008

cannot afford to screw up-no pressure haha

Exactly! I am taking 18 months off of work- putting my familys' life on hold-when I could be working and buying a house....My husband is wonderful enough to support me and my dream- but the 'what-ifs' keep running through my mind. Failure is not an option!!!

MAmom81 · Mar 16, 2008

Exactly! I am taking 18 months off of work- putting my familys' life on hold-when I could be working and buying a house....My husband is wonderful enough to support me and my dream- but the 'what-ifs' keep running through my mind. Failure is not an option!!!

I know exactly wht you mean, I am almost finished with my AA degree-health administration & I could start working now & buy a house but I like you will be taking the year off for Nursing School. My husband is very understanding & knows it's my dream & in the end I will be a nurse!!!! I wish you the best, keep me posted ok!!!!