New Nursing Student!

I just had my first day at nursing school today. I walked in so excited, and walked out nearly in tears!!! I feel SO overwhelmed with all the course work... tons of text books, e books, online classes etc. During the 8 hours I was there, I had more information thrown at me than I have ever had in my life!!! :P I am not afraid of work, and pulled a 90-95 GPA in high school, took all the honors and AP courses I possibly could. I want to be a nurse more than anything, but I am terrified right now! We start clinical rotations in the beginning of October... and I am really worried that I won't have enough experience by then to care for a patient. Did anyone else have a first day freak out when they started nursing school? I sure hope I'm not the only one!!! :P
You're not alone! Click on the Student tab above and come hang out on the Nursing Student board. There are tons of helpful mnemonics and handy links, plus camaraderie.

I started mine monday this week and yes its alot of work, just had my first 8hr day today and i am exhausted, i think being a CNA kinda helps because i am not too worried about the clinical part but its the theory part, its just too many information but i want to be a nurse, so i gotta do the work.

don't worry about making it to october.....just worry about making it through this week. once you make it through this week, tackle next week. when the time comes, you'll be ready.remember......a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

I think everyone goes through it. I remember leaving my orientation exhausted and sick to my stomach...we even had one person drop out before the day was over. It seemed impossible. It can be done though. Take some time to go over the information and let everything sink in, read through your orientation materials until you feel a little more comfortable, and above all remember to take it one step at a time. I felt overwhelmed at the beginning of each semester with new requirements and new clinical schedules, but you just get through it. Your classmates are all in the same boat and you'll support each other. You can do it!

you'll feel like a deer in headlights for... well, probably the entire first semester. hang in there though, you'll figure out a good weekly schedule for all of your work and you'll get through! it is really overwhelming, but everything starts to fall into place and you get into a rhythm. good luck!

Did you ever see the film "An Officer and and a Gentleman" with Richard Gere and Debra Winger?Well, Nursing school is somewhat similar, an attempt to separate the "wheat from the chaff" mentally if not physically.Keep it together and good luck!

There are almost 3 million nurses in the US, you are not alone. We've all been through it. Slap me if I'm wrong but you might be somewhat of a control person. You need to accept that you are jumping on a ride that doesn't follow the same track twice. Many things about nursing will be out of your control. Many unexpected things will happen, that's what makes it awesome! Stick to worrying about the things you can control, like completing your assignments. Otherwise, in clinicals, accept that you are going to be a novice and do your best.

You will feel bombarded with info for the first bit until you get comfortable. Get a planner and write EVERYTHING down But remember, you are not the first... and you are not the last... heck i start my 4th semester TOMORROW!!!! Even I am nervous Good luck and I hope things settle down for you

I saturated this past Monday, and I know how u feel. We had a welcome BBQ put on by the second year students, and they kept telling us it gets better. Like someone said, unfortunately, we will b like deer in the headlights for awhile. It took me a couple of hours just organizing everything and making a schedule for the readings/ assignments.

Don't panic, you are normal to feel that way. Reading your post made me smile. I will never forget the first day of my nursing school experience (I graduated 2 years ago). We all walked out of that class in a daze, numb...saying "what the HECK just happened in there". I remember feeling WAY out of my league, and completely overwhelmed. Just take a deep breath. You can do it. Just take it a day at a time. Nursing school is a huge undertaking. There is a lot to learn, but you don't have to learn it all by tomorrow afternoon. My biggest advice to you and your classmates it to help each other. Don't be competitive, and be a support system for each other. In nursing we never stop learning. And we should never stop asking questions. You'll do fine. Good luck!!!

Take one day at a time and celebrate your small accomplishments. Keep a good planner and stay organized, but know that despite your best plans things will change. Gives you good practice for what's to come. You'll have periodic freakouts throughout school, and even when you start work, but I've been assured this is completely normal (and shows that you care). Hugs and best of luck.

As a new grad that just passed my boards I can honestly say I know exactly how you feel. Every new step in this journey I have felt that way, but I never let those feeling hold me back. I thought that once I graduated and passed my boards it would pass, but now I am having anxiety about my job hunt. I just keep reminding myself that everything will work out as long as I put the effort in. Feeling overwhelmed at the start of nursing school is normal, but if you know you can do it nothing will stop you. And as a student if you feel you do know... just fake it until you make it, always be honest, and know it is ok to ask for help. Good luck!