Nursing school burnout

Nurses Stress 101

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Hi all,

I am going into my senior year of nursing school. I've always enjoyed it, have worked hard, and have not struggled at all in my courses. I've enjoyed clinical, too.

I worked at a hospital last summer as a patient care tech and it was not my ideal place to be. I don't enjoy Rehab nursing. This summer I applied for several nursing internships and despite having a 4.0 and past work experience in great hospitals, I only received an internship offer from this same hospital.

I accepted reluctantly because if I didn't I wouldn't have a job. I am a couple weeks into this internship and am miserable. The staff is unfriendly, the hours are terrible, and I'm not finding the work to be rewarding. It's a great hospital but not for me. The burnout I am experiencing is severe and even turning into depression. I dread shifts days in advance and am not finding joy in things outside of work either. It is to the point that I don't even want to do nursing anymore. Maybe I need a break. I don't really know. Something needs to change and I'm not sure what to do. Any advice?

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My friend took an internship. She had a job right after NCLEX. Her interview was a formality.

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.

You need a break, have you talked to your counselors or the leadership at all? Ask for a change of assignment?

I'd also recommend a therapist if you can afford it or talking with someone close you know very well.

Burnout is very very very common in this profession...

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No, I haven't. It's just too early on in the internship. I wish I just took a break from work and focused on classes for the summer.

And yes, I have looked into therapy a little bit.

Thanks for your suggestions!

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