Starting nursing school..why am I so afraid?

Jessie71385 · Apr 17, 2014

1) I was a CNA before I started nursing school, and I thought the exact same thing that you did. "I know all about nursing!!!" NOT!!!! You have a slight upper hand, but not very much. Don't go in knowing everything, because then you won't learn anything.

2) Nursing school is not easy, it is one of the hardest things I have ever done. It is also the absolute most rewarding things I have ever done. Work hard, you can do it, but you have to put forth the effort. Study, and ask questions. Don't be afraid to learn. You will be your biggest obstacle.

Good luck dear!!!

4everpeace · Apr 17, 2014

Thank you for your reply. I didn't mean to imply that I know everything about nursing. I should have clarified. What I meant is that I know what the job entails. Most of the nurses that I work with seem unhappy and burned out. I know the "reality" of what I am getting into. I just have a lot of fears if I am doing the right thing.

NOADLS · Apr 17, 2014

At end of the road is less ADLS (which can become non-existent if you look for the right job) and more money. Money fixes everything, right?

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 17, 2014

You've done the same thing for 21 years. Yes, you will have an incredible leg-up on some of your classmates when it comes to some of the very basic nursing tasks that you've done for so long. However you'll also have to re-learn how to do it the "pure" way that's right out of "the book" so to speak. The hardest thing you'll have to learn is how to step out of your CNA role and mind-set. You're going to have to start thinking about what's going on with your patients and why it's needed. That role transition is not going to be easy.

While you've seen what becoming an RN can do to you, you haven't really been able to get into the head of an RN. Money doesn't fix everything, it just exchanges one set of problems for another set.

I'm getting ready to graduate and hopefully step into a new job within a few months. There's a bit of anxiety about that because it's a change that could either radically change things for me or could lead to financial ruin until I find a good RN job.

Julesmama28 · Apr 17, 2014

You'll do great! I'm going to graduate in December and it's been a long journey to get here, but I wouldn't change a thing! Nursing encompasses my whole person! I have learned so much, yet learned that there is so much left to learn! That is one of the things that drew me in, I will never be bored! Hang onto whatever you love about nursing, school has a way of getting me down sometimes, then I have an amazing clinical experience that buoys me right back up and reminds me why I love it!

Mom2boysRN · Apr 17, 2014

I was terrified before going into nursing school. I cried and couldn't sleep. I was so afraid of failing, of it being the wrong choice of career (I have a previous degree that was wrong from the start for me), of hurting and/or killing someone. I was a mess. My husband said I didn't have to, I knew I did though.

It was hard. I had 2 small children while going through school, so I had to juggle a lot. It was so worth it and I LOVE being a nurse... most days. :yes: It's rewarding feeling like this is what I am supposed to do.

Just remember that anything worth having is worth working for. There will be days you want to give up, but just keep pushing forward and you will do it!

4everpeace · Apr 17, 2014

Dear Mom2boysRN, THANK YOU so much for your reply! This is EXACTLY how I am feeling. So glad to hear that you persevered and you love nursing. Your post will give me inspiration for the next 2 years! Thank you, again!

annaotis · Apr 18, 2014

4everpeace, I have been a nurse for 25 years now- I am still afraid I will make a mistake, but I haven't. Rather than being fearful, I feel it gives me a reverent respect for the profession I have chosen and helps me to always, always do my best for my patients. I still don't like dealing with mean physicians (or other mean health professionals for that matter) but sometimes I have to,you get through it and move on. I have met A LOT more nice ones than mean. I don't want to see suffering, yet I have always been an Oncology nurse my entire career. Life is all about juggling. You just juggle different things at different times. You can do it. It's all we nurses do, so you will be all over it by the time you graduate! So far,(to my shock and amazement)I have been able to handle whatever has come my way. Don't borrow tomorrow's troubles, it is a waste of good brain space...you need that space for school! You will be just fine!

4everpeace · Apr 18, 2014

Thank you ALL for encouragement. Love to hear your stories. Blessings to all of you for what you do!

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2014

You've been a CNA for 21 years, and that's a really long time. I don't know much about you, but I can probably assume that you really like what you do and that you care for your patients. As a student nurse, you will take that caring to a higher level. You will get more one-on-one time with your patients and you will truly feel like you make a difference. It is the one really great aspect of nursing school.

Personally, I think it's great that you have some fear, because fear keeps us grounded. I would not want a student nurse who wasn't afraid of making a mistake taking care of myself or my loved ones. I wish you the best of luck as you begin your first semester!

RunBabyRN · Apr 18, 2014

I think your fears are very common, especially among those of us entering nursing school with experience.

Nursing school is overwhelming throughout the program for many reasons. In the beginning, it's overwhelming to think about how much you really have to learn- I was floored! There's also SO.MUCH.READING. It does take work to balance family, work, school, & sanity. You'll find what works for you. For many of us, scheduling everything out makes a big difference. I find meal planning helps a lot as well.

Mistakes happen, because we're human. But that's where you cannot fake it 'til you make it- ASK FOR HELP if you don't know. There's a balance between forging ahead with confidence and being downright stupid about not asking for help. You have lots of resources available to you to help prevent you from making a dangerous mistake (small mistakes will happen- YOU ARE HUMAN!). Utilize your resources!! Ask where to look things up, and and look up the answers to your questions whenever possible, as opposed to just asking for answers. You'll retain more this way.

I've never encountered a doctor that was mean to me. That said, stand up for yourself, and advocate for your patients. Be respectful, and they'll generally be respectful in return.

Suffering- people will be in poor health. This is why you are caring for them much of the time. But this is where the kind of care you provide makes a difference. You can help manage their pain and their symptoms and help them improve. It's very rewarding to see people in a better state by the end of your shift (even if that "better" is only slight), or over the course of a few days of working with someone. It's nice in school, because you have fewer patients, and can really delve into stuff with your patients and LISTEN to them. Sometimes that's the biggest thing we can do for someone. If you learn nothing else in school, learn to LISTEN to your patients. They are the experts here (yes, with exceptions). They'll be able to tell when you really care, and you'll learn how to keep the "suffering" to a minimum.

It's okay to be human. Know that you'll learn your foundation in nursing school, but most of learning how to be a nurse happens after school. Soak up the foundations and be a sponge in both lecture and clinicals! You'll be fine. :)