MAJOR burnout

Nursing Students General Students

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I guess I just need to vent...I'm in my fourth semester of an 8 semester BSN program (not including prereq's). We go all year, with short breaks in between. We're wrapping up our Med-Surg 2 clinical rotations.

I wish I felt more enthusiastic about learning, but I am incredibly burnt out. I no longer absorb the material, can barely focus, don't participate well in group work, and am depressed all the time. The workload is so intense, and in addition, I have classes outside of nursing school to fulfill university graduation requirements. So far I am still a straight A student, but I don't know why. I barely study, which makes me feel very guilty.

At clinicals, I feel like such an idiot. I still fumble around not knowing what I'm doing. I'm good with the patients, but I hate that I'm still not even confident about putting on a freaking blood pressure cuff or listening to lung and heart sounds. I'm basically "faking it till I make it". I understand pathophysiology and pharmacology very well, but I feel like a loser when I'm on the floor and I can't even figure out how to empty the new urine bags (happened to me last week).

I can't stand most of my classmates. I want to volunteer and make a difference, but I'm too exhausted to even clean my own apartment. My poor husband does his best to support me on one income.

What should I do? Are these normal feelings? I want so badly to be a nurse but in the back of my head, I can't help but think I'm not good enough to do it. And I'm terrified that when I graduate, I will be so inexperienced (I haven't even yet inserted a Foley or started an IV successfully) that nobody will want to hire me. Plus, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle the stress.

I have four papers due in one week, along with all my regular assignments. I feel like if I had 100 hours in the day, I still wouldn't get everything done.

:crying2: Any thoughts?

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I dont have much advice, but I can tell you I feel about the same way. SO burnt out! Stay strong, and I wish you luck...

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OMG - I feel the same way, but I am only in my first semester. My grades are good, I have a great rapport with my patients, but I do not have the confidence when it comes to nursing skills. At the end of each clinical day, I feel like I couldn't absorb one more piece of information. One day at a time...one day at a time....

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I have never heard of a four year nursing program, unless you are including prereq's... where do you go? No wonder you are burned out!

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I'm sorry you feel this way. Have you done or will you be able to do an externship? I was burned out, tired, depressed, and felt that I knew nothing after an extremely intense junior year...and after doing my externship I had gone from never placing a foley to putting in more than I could count, approaching patients with confidence, drawing blood, hanging tons of IV meds, reading EKGs, etc....My love and passion came back with a vengence! As for lung sounds, I always ask another nurse or my clinical instructor if they could listen to my patient's lungs after I heard something abnormal to clarify if it was what I thought it was. Don't let this get to you, don't let a couple of papers (or semesters) stand in your way of getting to your goal. I take one grade at a time and one day a time. If I think about the all the things I need to do next week, it's too much.

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Thank you everyone for your responses :nuke:

Our program is actually 3 years (34 months) rather than 4, which is accomplished via the two summer semesters that are very intense. This does not include any of our prereq's, and while we are in the program, we are required to take several additional upper-division classes at the university we attend in order to graduate (medical anthropology, bioethics, etc). Like I said...no breaks!

After next semester (Med-Surg 3) we will begin our interships over the summer. I am really looking forward to it, so I'm very appreciative to hear of someone else having a positive experience. I can't wait to feel that way again!

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Sounds like you "hit the wall". :banghead:You can do this. Just hang in there and think like previously posted - one day at a time, one day at a time. You're so close to finishing, maybe count the weeks/days/months to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Think about how far you have come.

Also, TAKE SOME VITAMINS - if you're not already doing so. They will help you cope with the stress and replenish your body.

I'm in a 2 yr ADN program and have heard that, locally, the 4 Yr students don't have as much clinical time as they spend in lecture. Maybe you just need more clinical practice, which you will get plenty of - once you graduate - just get there.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I hate to be so 'nursey', but have you had a checkup? Your fatigue and exhaustion may be due to physical causes. Are you getting enough sleep? Eating right? I would also talk to someone about the feelings of depression you are experiencing rather than just ascribing everything to the stresses of school. Depression & fatigue make learning more difficult. But if you are maintaining an A average, you aren't as bad off as you think you are.

Find a mentor. Some one who can help you work through your worries and come up with workable solutions. Does your nursing school offer this service? If not, can you establish a mentoring relationship with a nurse you trust?

If your lack of opportunity to practice various technical skills is worrying you, talk to your instructor and the nurses you are working with on the floor. I guarantee you they will come up with all the foley's you want- and then some!

Take care of yourself

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Specializes in pediatrics, occupational health.

Sometimes i feel like i am burnt out too, but really, i am only singed a bit around the edges. Do yourself a favor and take a weekend off and just lay in a hammock and read a sappy sexy love story that is more mindless than anything! Then hop back up and take the bull by the horns and just finish!

Ok, i can only say that because this is exactly what i did. I have to tell myself every day - "When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so darn long in the first place!!!!!"

You can do this! Don't let the seeds of self doubt bring you down. If you have not inserted a foley yet correctly, then let all the nurses on your floor know that you need the experience. I did this in L&D clinicals, and let me just say that I can now do that with my eyes closed!!! Don't give up! You may never forgive yourself!!!

:anpom: You can DO IT!!!!!

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Only four semesters to go! Rah.

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Thanks guys for all your support!!

No, I have been bad and I have not been to the doctor recently. I guess I am tired of them :-) I am planning on going when school is out (I literally have no weekdays off until December 9th). And no, I don't get enough sleep.

I need to just make it through the next six weeks and I'll be ok... I just have always struggled with low self-esteem and even though I think one day I will be a great nurse ( I love my patients!), I am not the most "aggressive" personality, which is sometimes a negative in such a competitive world. I know its something I need to work on. If my patient needs something or I feel they aren't getting the right care, I always speak up, but if I personally am having a problem, I tend to keep it to myself. :(

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

Sounds like you are ahead of the curve- most nurses don't burn out until the are in practice for a few years. I'm wondering if you could settle for "B"s and develop a life outside of school. ANYTHING to get away from your only focus being NURSING,NURSING,NURSING. One day a week- take off from study and see a movie, go visit old friends, GET DRUNK...Just so the program dosen't absorb you whole life. Yep, your grades will slip a little, but you focus and sanity will improve.

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