Overwhelmed....I feel like giving up!

[rnwannabe77]

I'm going into my final semester of LPN school in about a week and a half. My final exam for Med/Surg is Tuesday 4/3.

My problem is I feel as though I haven't given 100% effort this semester and my grades really reflect that. Last semester I got a B-plus for the final grade. After two tests this semester I'm barely hanging onto a C-plus with one more exam to go, that being the final. To be honest, I am capable of so much better, but the drive and determination are just not there anymore.

I realize that my problem is burnout. I've been stressed throughout the entire program, but this semester I have been totally zonked! I have no desire to study at all, in fact I took today off from work with every intention of studying but haven't done so yet!

Throughout the semester I've studied half-a**ed, which means I have to study all of the material from start to finish to get caught up before Tuesday! I have today and tomorrow to do so, as I unfortunately have to work on Monday. (I work full-time, which I'm sure many of you do too!). Talk about overwhelming!!! I honestly don't think it's feasible to believe that I can accomplish this AND pass the final exam. I am totally stressing out over this to the point that I feel like throwing in the towel and giving up!

Next semester (if I make it) is three months long. The semester consists of maternity/peds and vocational trends. I honestly can't see myself doing this for three more months. I know I've come this far, but I'm seriously running out of fuel. I feel as though I'm a fraud for putting so little energy and effort into this semester, and I'm almost certain that it will carry over into next semester. I can't see investing almost two years of my life into this program for nothing, but I lack the motivation entirely to move on.

I'm really hoping that someone out there will have some advice for me, anything to inspire me to succeed this semester and move on to next. How do all of you full-time workers/part-time students find/make time to study and deal with stresses of everyday life? How many of you have suffered from burnout and have effectively dealt with it? I'm sitting here realizing that I HAVE to study, but I'm hesitant to do anything about it. Please help!!!

I just wanted to add that the desire to be a nurse is there, in fact I wish to bridge over into an RN program and possibly BSN....I just have to somehow overcome this burnout!

[Anne36, LPN]

I understand how you feel. I am starting my last class tommorow. I have 1 more month and I have felt the same way since we came back from Christmas break. Our program started in Jan of 2011. (2 month break in the summer) Most all of my classmates are so over it. We are all pushing overselves to get through this.

Number 1, you dont need to finish the next 3 months of Nursing school, what you do need to do is pass the final exam on Tuesay. Call in sick on Monday! Study for this test like the next year of your life depends on it. When the final is over, you can regroup. Im not even going to give you advice for the next 3 months because I dont want you thinking about it right now. Good luck.

[rnwannabe77]

I understand how you feel. I am starting my last class tommorow. I have 1 more month and I have felt the same way since we came back from Christmas break. Our program started in Jan of 2011. (2 month break in the summer) Most all of my classmates are so over it. We are all pushing overselves to get through this.

Number 1, you dont need to finish the next 3 months of Nursing school, what you do need to do is pass the final exam on Tuesay. Call in sick on Monday! Study for this test like the next year of your life depends on it. When the final is over, you can regroup. Im not even going to give you advice for the next 3 months because I dont want you thinking about it right now. Good luck.

You are so right! I'm just gonna concentrate on studying and passing the exam on Tuesday and see what happens from there. Unfortunately calling in sick tomorrow is not an option. I do, however have Tuesday off from work so I can review a bit in the morning before the exam.

Thanks for responding and for the good luck wishes! Best wishes to you in your last class!

[loriangel14, RN]

You admit that you haven't been giving it your all.Obviously you need to work harder.