Registered Nurse (RN) | Nursing Information, Student Tips, & Nursing Schools Registered Nurse RN Career Tips, Jobs, Nursing School Directory, Degrees, and Advice

Hey Everyone,

I hope every one’s Friday is going well. It is so gloomy and rainy here….but I’m trying to make the best of it. I received another “ask me a question” and this one comes from Kim Friend and here is what she asked:

“Hi Sarah!

I have always been interested in the health field and thought I would be good at nursing because I’m such a caring person and enjoy helping people. I’m still a senior in high school and looking into a community college that offers a two year Registered Nurse RN program. I’m worried because I can be a shy person sometimes and I do have anxiety and get panicky sometimes when it comes to new experiences.  I really want to do this but worried that the school work and everything will be to hard! I have always had a harder time in science and that’s what you study in nursing so im a bit worried. When I don’t understand things I need someone to explain it in a way that I can understand. Im scared that my anxiety and everything will get to me. I know that if I try my hardest I can but im just sooo scared!!! What do you think???”

Great question, Kim! First of all, I love to see aspiring nurses out there! You remind me a lot of myself when I was in your same position four years ago. You actually already possess two qualities of a nurse that can not be taught in nursing school or learned…..you possess a caring attitude towards others and like helping people. You have no idea how many nurses/student nurses I have seen that lack those two qualities.

I understand totally about what you are saying about not being good at science in school. The type of science I learned in nursing school is a lot different than the science I learned in high school. With my nursing curriculum in college (varies by schools), I didn’t have to take chemistry and physics which was a good thing because I am not very good at those subjects. But I did have to take science classes that dealt with the human body, such as Anatomy & Physiology…etc. Remember that when you take these classes it is normal to not be “naturally” good at them….that is why you are taking the class in the first place……to learn it….. because if you were already good at it you wouldn’t need the class. If you are one of those people who have trouble in school you may want to consider getting a tutor for the class (my college has these for free for students) or taking extra time to study. But don’t let the science part of nursing school scare you out of it because it really isn’t that bad.

Now regarding being shy &  nervous about new situations….. Normally, I’m a people person and love being around people (the total opposite of shy) but sometimes I have my days where I’m very shy and quite. I think it is normal to be shy sometimes. Of course if you are having to do something out of your comfort zone (such as being around a bunch of people you don’t know) you are going to be shy until you start to feel more comfortable with the situation. The good thing about being shy is that you can change it. So don’t sweat the being shy part…you can change that. Regarding being nervous….once again I think this it is totally normal. I remember when I first started my clinicals in nursing school and I had to give a shot for the first time with my clinical instructor watching  my every move. I was super nervous (sweating, heart pounding out of my chest, and a little shaky) but I got through it. I still get like this when new situations arise in clinicals that I have never experienced….such as my first “code blue” experience. So it’s normal and it is something you can change. I would definitely not let these things worry you, especially out of going to nursing school.

Nursing school is tough but whatever degree you decide to choose will be tough….because its new. I suggest that when you start nursing school that you pace yourself and become very organized. For example, get a planner!! My planner is my best friend lol. Also, try to exercise (helps with stress majorly), eat healthy, and get lots of sleep and take each day one at a time….don’t stress about what is coming up in the week or month just focus on what you need to get done that day.

I think the two year degree you are talking about sounds great! Its a lot faster than the four year degree. From your question, I can tell that you want this very bad, which is another thing that shows me you are going to be successful. I say that you put all of those fears aside and concentrate on your positive qualities (don’t dwell on the negatives) and go for it!! You will love it and I don’t regret that I pick nursing at all. It’s a wonderful career and so many opportunities…and the money isn’t bad either lol!

Kim, thanks for your question and keep me up-dated on what you choose to do. I wish you the best of luck and follow what you want to do! If you ever have anymore question don’t hesitate to hit me up!

Until next time,

Sarah

Sponsored Links

Posted under Ask A Question, Daily Ramblings

Hey Everyone,

I hope everyone’s week is going good. My week has been very interesting (that is for a later post). I received another “ask me a question”. I seriously LOVE LOVE getting questions….its fun hehe! This question comes from Kim all the way in Milwaukee, WI. Here is what she asked:

“Hello…
1)Are you employed while in school?
2)Were the dosage calculations difficult?
3)Do you choose how many hours a day you do clinicals?

thanks,Kim, milwaukee,wi”

Kim, these are some really good questions because the answers to these questions are hard to find unless you know someone specific to ask. I would have loved to known the answers to these questions when I started nursing school to become a Registered Nurse RN. Great questions!

Am I employed while I am in school? The answer to this is yes and no. I am doing a four year nursing program. During the first two years I took just regular courses like math, English, history, speech…etc (which were somewhat easy classes that didn’t require a lot of time and dedication like nursing classes), so I worked at a job pulling around 25-30 hours a week. I actually worked at a local Tanning Salon LOL….yeah helping the world get skin cancer…bad me but it paid good…plus commission. Then when I got accepted to nursing school I quit my job that following summer because I didn’t think I could have handled it. However, looking back on it I probably could have but it would have been hard…plus I’m married and I needed to have time to spend time with my husband (plus I could quit because he was bringing in a pay check). So if you are thinking about working and going to nursing school….it can really done. I have a lot of friends who make great grades and work. But you might want to consider that if you are married and have kids…may be cutting your hours back because you don’t want to take on too much. However, if you are single I say totally go for it because people do it all the time. Plus the whole working thing depends on what you can handle.

Are dosage and calculations difficult? I totally stink at math….that is one reason I picked nursing because I figured at least there will be no math…lol well there is a little bit of math in nursing school but it is basic math like adding, subtracting, dividing, and multiplying. No stupid algebra (hate that stuff). At first, it took me a couple of days to grasp the whole dosage and calculations stuff but after I kept practicing and practicing the questions it started to click and now D&C problems are my favorite thing on a test because I know I will at least get these questions right lol. So no they aren’t difficult…if you don’t get them at first I suggest you practice and practice them and I swear they will eventually click. If you have problems with them I suggest searching the web for free practice questions. Check out my last post on Dosage and Calcuation Problems..

Do I choose how many hours a day I do at clinicals? When I first started clinicals in nursing school, I didn’t get to pick how many hour I pulled at clinicals a day. My assigned professor picked how many hours my group pulled daily. I think every semester you have to get in so many clinical hours so it is up to your professor how many hours you pull a day. One time one of my professors let us vote on how many hours we wanted to do a day. I have had to pull hours ranging from 8, 10, or 12 hours a day for clinicals. However, since I’m in my last semester of nursing school I am on my own and I get to make my own schedule. I pull 12 hours per day because I think it is easier that way and I get more hours faster. Plus that is what I’m going to be doing after I graduate so I figure I better get use to it.

Kim, I hope I answered all of your questions. If you ever have any more questions don’t hesitate to ask. Good luck with your nursing career. I think you will like nursing because there is so much you can do as a nurse. You are not just limited as being a bedside nurse. Until next time,

Sarah

Sponsored Links

Posted under Ask A Question