Unprepared for clinical today

[Tony35NYC]

I've read a couple threads where people spoke about losing their motivation. I never thought it would happen to me but I'm feeling it, too. Maybe its because I'm almost at the end and just can't wait for it to be over. I've been dragging myself since last week, and made a terrible showing in clinical today. The instructor blew up on me for not having my meds ready or completing my pt assessments on time, and I was ok with that because I deserved it. Normally I'm pretty good in clinical, but I just couldn't get with the program today. I kept thinking about being at home in bed, sleeping. These clinicals are terrible because they're mking us do 2-twelve hour clinical days each week so can finish on time. But we also have to be in lecture two days a week. I also work so I'm stretched pretty thin all week long and I'm exhausted. If there's such a thing as nursing student burnout I think I'm having it now.

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

2 -12s and 2 lecture days has to be killer, wow. We did 1- 12 hour/week last semester, with 2 lecture days and I was worn out, so I can't even imagine how much more tired I would have been if I had another 12 hour shift added onto that. So, no wonder you're tired!

I definitely think there's nursing student burnout, I'm totally feeling it, too. We're done with clinicals this semester, but start preceptorship within the next week or so, will be doing 3 - 12 hours/week, but with no lecture. Right now we're just wrapping up on our critical care class and it's taking every ounce of me to make myself study for the exams. I just don't want to study anymore, I'm so sick of writing out notecards and spending all my free time looking in my books. So please know, you're not alone. I can tell with my fellow classmates too ... we're all burning out, we're ready to be done.

Don't be too hard on yourself about today's clinical though. At least you know you weren't up to par and you realize that. We all have our off days. Hang in there, we're almost done!