Am I suffering from burn out or is this something more...?

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Hello everyone, I am a nursing student and I am in my senior year and half way through but all of a sudden I feel extra overwhelmed. I feel stupid like I don't remember what I learned the previous semester and my studying skills are no longer working for me. I get headaches, nausea, no sleep, eat bad... I never have felt sooo out of my body. I feel vulnerable and I think it is showing to my professors and I am ashamed of it. I want to be a confident nurse but I just feel I can't. I feel like evryone around me knows more than me and I am not prepared to go out in the world and be a nurse. I also have thought of getting my MSN but I feel like I am too dumb to do that. There are certain girls in my program that still act like high schoolers and have no understanding of where I am coming from so they judge me and it makes me feel bad about myself which doesn't help since I've been picked on my whole life. I feel like I will never get the respect I give to people and I feel just so trapped. I keep finding myself wishing I was a child again or even in high school again back to where I felt someone cared and I somehow had a way to manage a little... I also keep telling myself that if I don't get through nursing school I can always kill myself... which I know should not be an option but I feel like it is all that defines me. I owe soo much money so I can't just quit... the girls that make fun of me have their parents paying for everything and they have no idea how stressful it can be if you have to pay all of that back on top of your parents ideals about who they think you should be and... your own individual expectations. What am I to do?.... I just feel so alone and crippled. My thoughts are not connecting well either and I feel like every time I learn something I forget something else. What is this............. how do I get out of it....

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

It sounds like you might benefit from talking to a professional. Regardless of whether your thoughts and feelings are a result of the "normal" stress of nursing school and life, or if they represent a deeper problem, a professional can help you sort out your emotions and develop coping strategies for daily life.

Nursing school is tough, and on top of the additional stresses in life, it's very easy to get overwhelmed and burnt out. Don't be ashamed of seeking help. Does your school offer counseling services? That would be a good place to start. ((Hugs))

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Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

To begin, I commend you for getting accepted to nursing school, and making it so far. Great Job! Also, I agree with Ashley when she says seek professional help. Do not be ahshamed of your feelings. Normal or not, it happens when life gets hard, and nursing school makes life HARD. Do you have some sort of support system at home? Wether it be family or a friend? Do they know about your feelings?

Everyone needs a little push every now and then, and a counselor will know exactly what you need to help you cope, and become a great nurse! Maybe one day you can use this experience in your nursing career to benefit a patient.

I wish you well, good luck and keep your head up :)

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I am going to say I have looked into school counseling since i have no medical insurance... and it's not going to work due to their policies so I am once again trapped and have no where to turn....

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Reach out to a church. Even if you are not religous, they have people on staff that you can talk too, and then they can refer you to great if not free counseling.

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I am going to say I have looked into school counseling since i have no medical insurance... and it's not going to work due to their policies so I am once again trapped and have no where to turn....

Could you explain that you mean by "and it's not going to work due to their policies"?

I, personally, struggled in nursing school (personal issues affecting my ability to focus and function).

At one point, I was in a low low place.

Just being able to verbalize myself (and not burdening my friends and family with my "drama") was an enormous relief.

Sometimes just saying the words out loud to a nonjudgmental listener can help you gain insight.

I had a few ah-hah moments.

I did not have insurance and so the school counselor was a good deal for me.

Do you work and do you have EAP?

I used that too and got two free counseling sessions.

BTW... you are not solely defined by nursing school and failing nursing school is nothing to kill yourself over... and I'm sure the ones who love you agree.

As for the disrespectful girls who behave as though they are in high school...

Guess what?

High school is over and those who continue to behave as though they are in high school aren't better than you and they should not make you feel inferior... though I wonder if you shouldn't feel a degree of pity towards those who refuse to grow up.

Please do not give up on getting help.

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Specializes in Hopefully NICU.

I know how you feel, and it's time to ask for help. The Lord is a loving and merciful God and He will provide all things for his children. You are NOT ALONE!!!! The biggest mistake you can make is to feel bad for yourself. Instead of saying "I'm not good enough for this" try telling yourself "This is hard, but I'm going to give it my best shot with what I have to offer today". Sometimes you have to take the world on one day at a time, or even one hour at a time. Not too long ago I was praying for God to just get me through the next hour, for Him to give me the strength to just make it home. There's a bigger picture, and I know how hard it can be to see it right now, but it is there. We go through stressful times and bad situations so that we will have the strength and maturity to face what is to come down the road. Just remember you are going through this for a reason, and it will make you a much stronger person. You will have a maturity the other girls in your class won't possess, and you will be able to sympathize with others in a way some people cant. I wish you the best of luck. You CAN do this! I believe in you! Don't let this break you, because you are stronger than this.

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Definitely seek help. most insurance companies you can speak to someone over the phone.

Go to any church. They will be honored to help you. you won't be pressured on religious beliefs.

It will make a positive difference.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Many compassionate replies and helpful suggestions have been offered, however it appears that you need more assistance than this nursing website can offer as per our terms of service. Please seek professional assistance.

For anyone needing assistance The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number is: 1-800-273-8255

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