ABSTRACT
This chapter explains that it is quite normal to feel anxious about one's abilities to be a successful student nurse or midwife. It contains the practical advice and reflections should help address these concerns, and encourage students to discuss them with each other at all stages of the programme. Nursing and midwifery courses are very demanding programmes, and it is therefore important to consider ways in which one can pre-empt some of the demands and develop strategies that maximize resilience. Recognizing and managing stress in one's own life appears to be an important success indicator. Individuals can learn how to manage stress effectively and develop high levels of resilience. Resilience 'is the ability of an individual to positively adjust to adversity'. Jackson et al identify that levels of resilience amongst nursing students can be enhanced through fostering nurturing relationships, developing emotional insight/awareness and effective time management to ensure a healthy work-life balance.
