Burn Out

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 14, 2003

Can you pinpoint the causes of your distress? For example, are you simply trying to do more in a day than can reasonably be expected? Sometimes, people simply take on more than they can handle. If that is the case, you are just going to have to give something up (that you probably think you can't, but you are going to have to give it up anyway) -- or find some other way to get it done that requires less your time and energy.

Are you happy in school? Do you enjoy your classes and clinicals. It's really draining, both physically and emotionally to be doing something you hate.

Are you getting enough sleep? fresh air? exercise? relaxation & recreation? Are you eating right? etc. etc. Students sometimes sacrifice these things and suffer as a result. These are all necessary things. Again, you may have to do some rearranging and re-prioritizing to make room for these things. I think it helps to actually schedule them. Set a time for socializing. Set another time for exercise. etc.

If none of the above is the cause of your tiredness ... you are going to have think a little harder to pinpoint it. How is the rest of life? Do you have any other reasons to be depressed? Could there be a physical cause? etc.

In other words, do the first step of the nursing process. Assess your situation. Once you can pinpoint the source of the problem, you can come up with a plan to deal with it. Implement that plan and evaluate the results.

And please ... let us know how you are doing. As you discover what works for you, it might help someone else.

llg

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2003

I feel the exact same way sometimes. It's tough when you stay up until one AM studying for a few nights in a row before the exam, then you come home and all you want to do is crash for the rest of the week. Do you live someplace cold? I find that my motivation is a lot lower in the winter; I am seriously considering getting a light box for SAD.

essarge · Feb 14, 2003

When I started nursing school I did several things without realizing it. I started to skip breakfast and when I was hungry, I'd eat something sweet. Within a few hours, I was ready for a nap. I also started staying up late to study.

Now I make sure that I eat breakfast before I go to school or clinicals, stay away from the sweets, and am always in bed by ten. If I need to study for an exam, I'll set my alarm for earlier and get up and study then because I am refreshed and my brain doesn't seem to protest as much.

Hope this helps.

Mkue · Feb 14, 2003

Good advice from above posters, just want to add to be sure to drink plenty of H2O.

szccdw · Feb 15, 2003

thanks for all the great tips. I only work 10 hours a week. I hate the program I'm in (the way it is structured). I am looking at some other schools to transfer to. yes it's cold here (29 right now). I'm in my second semester and feel like the school i am at has taught me nothing. I don't mind starting fresh at another institution as long as I am getting my moneys worth. i am a single mother of 2 children and feel somedays like the weight of the world is on my shoulders trying to juggle family and school. I have cut back on a lot. I used to do a lot of volunteer work in my area and notified everybody last semester that I would have to stop due to school and family obligations. I also held several offices at my school in different organizations and I am now only doing two (and my nursing instructors are trying to get me to run for office in our nursing club----------are they crazy). I am very upset that i had 5 scholarships for this school year and I feel that money was wasted. I wasn't able to transfer the funds to another school so that's why I'm still where I'm at. I'm TIRED, TIRED, TIRED..... Once again thank you and I will try to improve...

Gator,SN · Feb 15, 2003

Just wanted to add one thing.......vitamins. I never took them before, but since I started school, I have been taking them. I gained weight the second semester of nursing and ate on the run all the time. Now I use a multi-vitamin and a calcium supplement and I feel much better. I still pull all night study sessions, but I can handle it once in a while. Exercise, even 15 mins a days makes me feel better too. I feel more relaxed and I sleep better at night. Caffeine is another problem for me, cuz I can't live without it. I haven't noticed a difference yet with cutting down but it may happen.......Best to you! I hope you feel better soon.

Gator

jemb · Feb 15, 2003

Have you had a check-up with your doctor or NP recently? There could be some physical condition contributing to your exhaustion, too. Chemical imbalances of all sorts can make people feel tired even without all the extra work and stresses that you have right now. I suggest an appointment with your practitioner just to be sure that this is not part of the problem, and if there is a problem, you'll know how to take care of it.

sjoe · Feb 18, 2003

I second jemb's suggestion.

Angelica · Feb 19, 2003

I'm afraid I don't have any advice for you. I developed burnout syndrome during my third semester. I started procrastinating in a big way (I think it was about the same time I registered with allnurses.com--I'm sure that's just coincidental) Anyway, I'm in my fourth semester and still burned out. I don't fight it anymore. I merely stumble forward, day by agonizing day, towards graduation.

Angelica · Feb 19, 2003

I think I may need prozac. But I've been procrastinating about that, too.