So burnt out with still so much left!

Nursing Students NP Students

Published

Is anyone else just totally flummoxed, burnt out, overwhelmed by the SHEER VOLUME of information that we need to learn here in these NP programs??

I guess this is what a masters degree is all about, but honestly, at this point, it's like I'm facing a constant firehose of information just being blasted at me. I could read 24 hours a day and still would not get through it all.

I hate to say this, but it's lately been making me sort of depressed about becoming an NP. I mean -- we really need to just keep abreast of SO much, need to know SO much ...I'm not sure i'm up to it. ... I'm not sure it's worth it, or that it will be all that enjoyable at times, knowing that I will be constantly and FOREVER looking up infomration ....because I cannot possibly remember it all .... or that I will potentially even forget where or what to look up!

My grades are good ..it's been ok until this last clinical year. Now I feel Im just losing motivation due to this unbelievable volume of stuff we are supposed to read and know.

How can I get over this slump?? I've only got less than a year left!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Keep motivated! You are almost done! You have survived undergraduate and your graduate studies thus far. In the words of the Olympic Coach Bela Karoyli, "You can do it!"

When you are feeling overwhelmed, take a breather.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pre hospital, ED, Cath Lab, Case Manager.

I feel your pain. I have a little over a semester to go and I feel like I have hit a stone wall. While talking with my cohorts I have realized that they feel the same. It has been such a long hard road- but we are almost there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I guess this is why not everyone earns it. It's just HARD.

I do feel, however, that NP education needs to change. It's just so disjointed and uncoordinated. I sometimes see why we need to learn it all, but at other times, I have no idea how to sift through it. I go to clinical and even MORE new info pops up ...it's just too much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU.

On the first day of my bar review course the instructor said there are 3 levels of knowledge on a subject. Level 1 is the novice, they know just the tip of the iceberg and feel like they really "get" what they learn because they have no clue about how much they don't know. Level 2 is the intermediate level of knowledge, where you know how much you don't know and feel completely overwhelmed by it all. You have no confidence in your knowledge, because you feel like there is just too much that you don't know or understand. Level 3 is the expert, by this time you fully know your main area of content, have confidence in your knowledge and it's easy to assimilate and learn new information, because of the strong base of knowledge you already have. He then went on to tell us that we will be in a "level 2" when we take the bar exam, and that we will not feel like we know enough to pass. However, we need to just learn to accept that and study every day for the next 2 months and we will pass.

I too am nearing the end of my NP education and feel very similar to you. It is insane how much information we are supposed to know, but I just keep remembering that I am not yet an expert and that it will get better. I just need to get through school and pass boards and things will continue to improve every year after that. The feeling of being overwhelmed will eventually go away. It's just going to take a while yet. Oh and I love your firehose analogy, that's the picture that is going to be in my head the next time I sit down to read my homework, lol!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in family nurse practitioner.

Hi guys :), I have been there and done that and wrote the book, lol. I know your pain. It was not that long ago seeing as how I graduated in May. This will be over before you know it. And yes, it is worth it! It has been worth it for me so far. Its a wealth of knowledge, but you will see the same stuff over and over and over again once you start working. You are forced to remember what interacts with what and what the indications and contraindications are for your patients. I have literally seen 100s of pts now and I can remember what I did and why every time I see them again or someone brings me back the chart. It all comes together. You are not gonna have to study like this once you get done. You can study the things that actually matter and leave all the fluff in school. Just grin and bare it for now. I know its not easy, and I am glad it was a challenge because if it were easy everyone would do it. Believe me, you can do it. You will be surprised at what you can do if you push yourself. Just walk the days down, you will look up and be a board certified NP and helping to change lives. Best of luck! You got this :) I have faith

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

You guys are scaring me! I start in Jan and I am already getting cold feet. It wouldn't be so worrisome if I didn't work FT, have a family, etc. I just can't even imagine what the work load will be like. Good to all of you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a breakdown to my husband about a month ago complaining that this road will make my life more stressful in general due to the constant stream of knowledge that we are expected to keep up with while in practice. As a mom of 3, I don't want to spend my nights reviewing charts and sifting through new research. However, I love every other aspect of being a NP. I won't give up, no matter how tired I become of the 5 inch text books and multiple papers to write. I know that it will be worth it in the end because I want to help my patients live better. Yes, it's hard. Yes, it probably won't get much easier. But if you want to make differences in the lives of those around you, there's no better way! Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.
I had a breakdown to my husband about a month ago complaining that this road will make my life more stressful in general due to the constant stream of knowledge that we are expected to keep up with while in practice. As a mom of 3, I don't want to spend my nights reviewing charts and sifting through new research. However, I love every other aspect of being a NP. I won't give up, no matter how tired I become of the 5 inch text books and multiple papers to write. I know that it will be worth it in the end because I want to help my patients live better. Yes, it's hard. Yes, it probably won't get much easier. But if you want to make differences in the lives of those around you, there's no better way! Good luck!!

I needed to hear that...thanks. I'm finishing up my BSN in Dec then straight into the MSN Psych NP program in Jan. It overwhelms me to think about it. I feel guilty as a Mom studying all the time...always in front of the computer. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment