How did you overcome BURNOUT?

thenameismac · Mar 6, 2011

I am just taking pre-reqs and this burnout feeling creeps up on me everytime somewhere between the middle of every semester. The beginning of the semester I feel fresh and new ready to begin but after 2 months i just want to sleep. I too work but no family. I just saw stick with it. Possibly during spring break take a few days off from the kids and work and just relax. don't do anything. Sleep all day one day if you like or clean or do anything but stress out. It may feel good to take that one day or two to destress. that's only if you can't manage one day during the week already.

L&DWannaB · Mar 10, 2011

Thanks for your reply. I will do Peds clinicals this Friday and then I have a break for a whole week. No work or school = rested and relaxed MOM! I can't wait. 8pm Friday night clinicals will be over and Spring Break will officially begin.

kridanpiper, BSN · Mar 10, 2011

You may not be able to get over that feeling until a little bit closer to graduation. Nursing school is hard, demanding, tolling, tiring, stressful, frustrating, tedious, etc, etc, etc....... I think your feelings are completely normal. Just think of it as boot camp! Nobody likes the process, but just keep remembering that the results are going to be worth it for you and those 3 angels. Keep pressing on! Your goal is almost here!!!! Remember to just hold your head high. You will have really done something when you can say, I graduated nursing school and I'm a nurse!

Good luck!

semester1kid · Mar 10, 2011

^^^^what the previous poster said. I'll add that whenever we have a test and I found out I passed, it's also like a shot of adreneline that keeps me going. I think if you incorporate certain things into your routine - going to the gym, take time to watch a couple of your favorite tv shows (without getting addicted to the tv), do an activity on the weekend - can help get you through the difficult times

workingharder · Mar 11, 2011

I'm in my last semester and I graduate in May. So, that light I see really is the end of the tunnel.

There are three things I do that help me. First- do not think about everything you need to do. I only think about one report, project, chapter at a time. Second- and this may sound weird but, every day that goes by I tell myself, " this is the last March 9 (or whatever) I'll ever have to do this again." Third- when you go to clinical look at all the other nurses there and remind yourself that if they could do it so can you.

Hope some of this helps.

chinacatSN · Mar 11, 2011

I understand where you're coming from. I'm a mom, married, etc. Luckily, I'm not really working at the moment (just sporadically here and there) because I don't know how I'd find the time - or be able to afford the daycare. It wouldn't be so bad if everything was on a schedule - get up the same time every day, go to bed the same time every night. But it's not. Sometimes, you have to get up at 4am for clinical and other times clinical is in the evening and you don't get home until midnight. Not to mention getting your concept map/careplan done and studying for tests and quizzes and getting homework turned in on time.

I just keep telling myself that it will be completely different once I do get a job. No, it probably won't be a 9-5 type job, but I won't have the endless hours of studying or the completely crazy schedule...or the constant quizzing and hovering of demanding instructors. At least you're done in May - I have at least another year and maybe more if I decide (if I'm crazy enough) to get my BSN.

manu705 · Mar 21, 2011

Focus on finishing up school and try to take everything week by week. I'm in my last semester so I know how you feel! I just try to focus on what I have to do this week and take it slowly that way.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2011

I'm burnt out. I don't think there's any getting over it. Summer won't help. I don't have kids or anything, but I work a lot. I'm just sick of the school routine really. The work doesn't bother me. I'm just ready to do something different.

HH6_Student · Mar 22, 2011

What all the other posters said and get a good therapist

Seriously- I talk to one just to vent out my burnt out feelings on a neutral party so I don't feel guilty complaining or get in a rut. The other students around me are pretty burnt out and so negative that it was bringing me down. I certainly don't want to take out my irritations about nursing school on my family. I think its really helpful because I love nursing, just not the tedious schoolwork...

good luck!

L&DWannaB · Mar 23, 2011

Just got my OB grade and I made an A. That was a temporary boost to my get up and go. However we started Oncology/End of Life this week and although I enjoy this content I have a terrible time staying focused. I want to be playing with my kids and having fun in the sun. I tried venting to my husband and he is absolutely no help! He says I don't know why you are doing this to yourself you don't need to get a job so why don't you just quit! I have to remind him that he works construction and although he makes good money TODAY, that may not be the case a week from now.

OH well, I have just a few short weeks to end this semester and then I have the whole summer to myself. I am sure when my last semester starts I will feel this way all over again. I have talked to senior level students that are so burnt out they don't even know if they want to be a nurse when it's all over...What's the deal with nursing school anyway? Do they have to make it so crazy?

KianaM · Mar 23, 2011

This brightened week! It's spring break and I'm struggling to even find extra time in between studying and papers. If I think of everything I have to do I think I'd have an anxiety attack. Have I mentioned that I am he queen of procrastination!?