Nursing School Burnout

Halinja, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2007

There were a couple of times I felt that way going through school. (I'm in my last quarter of a BSN...I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!) I got some advice from a nurse that I really admired. She said her instructors came to her and said, you are very bright, you could be getting A's if you tried harder. She told them, I have children and a life outside of nursing school, I CHOOSE to give you C's.

I stepped back, thought about it, and realized she was right. I couldn't bring myself to give them C's, but I did quit trying to be "the best in the class". I even accepted a few B's and was much much happier.

You say you're getting A's. Maybe you need to lighten up just a teensy bit. Yes, you want to get through nursing school, but it isn't the only thing in life. Go out and have some fun. Take walks and smell the roses. Go to a silly movie and laugh until your sides hurt. And if you get a B, instead of an A, the world won't end. Your family won't stop loving you. No one will know what you got in your classes when you have your license. In 10 years, what will it matter? What WILL matter is if you stress yourself out so far that you quit.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2007

You need a weekend off, filled with sleep.

Lorie P. · Apr 18, 2007

When you start taking care of patients, they really don't care if you made A's or C's, they want a nurse who knows what is doing, pt's don't ask oh did you get an A when learning how to draw blood, change dressing, give shots,etc etc etc.

Take a weekend off and enjoy life, there is more to life then always studying!!

Emerld2000 · Apr 18, 2007

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have walked out of so many tests lately thinking I just want to pass. Im not comfortable with the material and I know Im going to need to know it for the BIG test, NCLEX. Congrats on almost finishing your BSN. Hopefully when forth quarter hits I to will start seeing the end of the tunnel. I don't think I would mind some Bs but as far as a C goes that to risky our school requires a 75 average.Thanks agian.

roseweed · Apr 19, 2007

every1 in my class was burned out.... :specs: ..including me...its hard... especially pharma..we had to get 90% to pass.... thank god i only have 3 months left... :nurse:

Emerld2000 · Apr 19, 2007

Tell me about it. Just took a Pharm Math test on Monday need a 85% to pass or your out of the program. Haven't received my score yet. Luckly the school gives you three shots at the test. One of my peers called the instructer today to get her score and was told the that the majority of the class failed the test. Im going to wait untill Monday to find out. I have to much stuff to study for and a project to work on for Monday I don't want my pharm test to hold me down. Hang in their your almost done. I feel I have came to far to quit now. Just keep thinking about those student loans I will need to repay and how much I want to become a NURSE.:uhoh21:

BigB · Apr 19, 2007

I was in a 23 month program and was burned out after 15 months. The remaining months dragged , but it was worth it.

raebabelvn, LVN · Apr 19, 2007

Yeah I'm in a year program... half way through. I stopped caring. Stopped studying and everything. I passed term 2 though. But I got really sick about a week ago so I have to take a leave of absence, I hope that'll rest me up for the next 6 months.

But I agree, do a weekend of NOTHING. No school stuff AT ALL!

Jules A, MSN · Apr 19, 2007

My heart goes out to you! I was in a 12 month LPN program and by the last month I was DONE. Just tuck your head and push forward. You can do this.

DarciaMoonz, LPN · Apr 24, 2007

I've been there. All too often I used to find myself dozing off to sleep in the back of the class. By the end of the third semester, I felt like I didn't know who I was or where I was lol. I started out with high goals when I started school, but there have been times when I would ask "how many questions do I have to get right to get a C". Just take it one day at a time, and definitely take time for yourself. The thing is when you tell people who are not in nursing school that your tired, they think of just physical tiredness, but it's not. It's a "different" kind of tired. An inside tiredness. Rest, try to catch a nap when you can before hitting the books again. Studying while exhausted is the pits. If you find yourself reading the same paragragh or sentences over and over again, and saying "what!!!", then it is time to walk away for a bit. I used to read in bits and pieces. I would read for 30-45 mins, and then find something else to do, and then go back. And like some of the other posters said, the patients that you care for don't care what your grades are. And employers as far as I know just want to know if you passed the NCLEX when you get to that point. Being academically smart doesn't equate to being clinically smart. I had people in my class who got A's on just about every test, but their clinical skills sucked!!! I also have a friend who graduated with all C's and has been complimented by staff and patients as being one of the best nurses that they have. So the gist of my long rant is grades aren't the only thing that will make you a good nurse. Being compassionate, understanding, and dedicated to your profession through continued learning, being active in improving on what you think you need to improve on to be the best YOU can be, and most of all being true to yourself FIRST is what makes you a good nurse. You can't care for anyone else until you take care of yourself first. Good luck to all of you currently attending school, and those of you who will be attending in the future.

cjm65 · Apr 26, 2007

Thanks for the suggestions.
I have walked out of so many tests lately thinking I just want to pass. Im not comfortable with the material and I know Im going to need to know it for the BIG test, NCLEX. Congrats on almost finishing your BSN. Hopefully when forth quarter hits I to will start seeing the end of the tunnel. I don't think I would mind some Bs but as far as a C goes that to risky our school requires a 75 average.Thanks agian.

:uhoh21: Our school requires we maintain an 80 average to pass....I am due to graduate in June, I went through my burnout period earlier this month, Take the others advise and take some time to yourself...It really works!