Graduating in 4 months... burnout is happening but I can see the light!

[RookieRoo]

This time last year, I was only beginning my accelerated program. I remember seeing the previous class of students and thinking how much more they knew than I! I had not yet done my first bed bath, made my first assessment, experience my first gross-out moment, or had any of those wonderful nursing school memories.

Now, at the end of Med surg 2 and our spring semester, I am able to see how far I have come. The remaining classes I will take this summer are mostly content review classes (and community health), the bulk of nursing school lies behind me. I am burnt out- SO burnt out (ie, I have a test tomorrow morning and I am trying sooooooo hard to find the motivation to study more tonight), but I am doing well and I can see my personal growth. I walk into patient's rooms with so much more confidence now... I know, in general, what I am about and how to do assessments and such. I have basic skills and basic knowledge that yes, will be built upon for the rest of my life, but which this time last year I did not have. I know how to use my stethoscope LOL!

I also just got a level 3 on my pharm ATI. That was HIGHLY unexpected but provided a huge boost of energy and enthusiasm to keep on going. One more ATI this semester (med surg) and the comp predictor this summer, and then the real NCLEX deal this fall! Almost there. Just gotta keep swimming but it feels good to have made progress.

Just wanted to share this, somewhere it would be understood. This site has been amazing, and you all are great resources for help and encouragment. Here's to the next 4 months!

[taggart84]

Just keep swimming! 🏊 nursing school, like most bad dreams, doesn't last forever.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

This time last year, I was only beginning my accelerated program. I remember seeing the previous class of students and thinking how much more they knew than I!

I felt the same way when I started the program and was envious of them being in the home stretch. In a month, you will be the ones that the next cohort will be in awe of just like you were of my cohort.

The summer session is not extremely difficult academically (almost entire cohort was on the Dean's List), just very, very busy especially with Capstone. My advice is to try to get a copy of the "nugget" list for the NCLEX class (Peds instructor teaches that class) and start on your NCLEX questions during your mini- break between Spring and Summer session. You need 150-300 per week depending on the schedule, but if you do extra, it counts for the next week. This will build up a cushion for the weeks that you need to devote to the other classes. Unfortunately, I have deleted the form off my computer.