burnt out/senioritis

Nursing Students General Students

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It's my last semester and I'm feeling so burnt out. I'm seriously procrastinating on every assignment, already used up my allowed absences, and I'd rather be home sleeping. Last January I started having panic attacks and have been on Lexapro and Ativan prn...I'm either having a panic attack or feeling tired from having them or tired from taking Ativan.

I'm worried about my ability to get through the semester. I've gotten good grades in the past, and this anxiety thing has really put me in a bad place. I dread leaving the house, and I've started feeling depressed about how badly things are going.

Thanks for listening.

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Stick in there, and try to see the light. Go back on why you joined nursing school in the first place. Hopefully you will find your enthusiasm again. Talk to your teachers or program coordinator and see if you can maybe take off a few months and come back to finish off the last semester once you get your energy back to normal. Also I would recommend seeing a school therapist to see if they have any recommendations for you. Good luck.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I remember going thru this. What I did was re-frame my study time from "learning" to "teaching". If I can teach you then I know it. I found other students and family to be my "students"

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Right there with ya! I'm trying to work, do school, 144 hours of senior clinical and 45 hours of mentoring/leadership. Sigh. So ready to be done!!!

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

This may sound silly but set a countdown calendar somewhere. By seeing the days left it might help keep you focused on the end goal. You got this!

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Thanks guys. I appreciate the advice and will give these things a try.

Countdown calendar is brilliant!

And I think teaching/tutoring will help too.

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I hear you. I have 3 precepting days left, 2 more clinicals, and my class day countdown is sitting at 72 days, 22 min, and 37 seconds. I check my app every single day;) It helps get me through. You can do it!!!

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Thanks springchick1!

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Word of caution. It sounds like you're jaded. This is not how you want to start out as a new grad nurse. Try getting some professional help. Seriously, I know what I'm telling you. It is draining to carry over all the nursing school stress into nursing practice. Get some help as you get closer in letting it all go.

I'm telling you this because nursing practice is not any easier than nursing school. In fact, it's 10X harder being a baby RN.

Some classmates thought that the madness would end with nursing school, yeah right lol.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
This may sound silly but set a countdown calendar somewhere. By seeing the days left it might help keep you focused on the end goal. You got this!

I had an app for this! Yes it helped. Actually had 2 apps, lol! One counted the calendar days until graduation, the other counted hours of actual school, which was a smaller number.

I developed senioritis during my last qtr of a 1 yr accelerated Lvn program. No breaks, 40 hrs per week.

What I did (besides the app) was I allowed myself to earn grades less than an A. 1st 3 terms I was all about As, but my final term I slacked, for my own mental health.

When I look at the 3.61 on my transcript, I don't feel bad, knowing I did what was best for me.

I changed my study methods, bought a bunch of new study supplies (new notebooks and new colorful pens)

Quitting was never an option because of all I'd sacrificed to get the opportunity to attend nursing school and the ability to afford to take care of my kids once I was done.

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Omgosh! Yes, I suffered from this my last semester of LPN school. I got out real quick when I failed a MH test and there was only four tests for that segment. I'm suffering from it now with nursing school. I just keep telling myself that its all worth it. Especially the pay increase.

Good luck with your last semester. I'm rooting for ya!!!!!

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I had a similar idea, vintagemother. I've decided it's okay if I get a B or two this semester if it helps to balance out the rest of my life. I've always been one of those students who has to get the A+ to be happy, but like you said there's nothing wrong with a 3.61.

Also, I just got some colorful page flags and rainbow notebook organizers which are making it a little more fun. I will start using glitter pens on my notes if it helps, lol.

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