Senioritis / burnout / depression?

[oohhgolly]

I am a senior nursing student that works part time as a tech at a local hospital. I will graduate in the spring and I am so incredibly burned out! I hate my job, but I love clinical. I work the float pool and I hate not knowing which unit I will be working on. Sometimes I can get some really awful assignments (20+ patients), other times I get to work with great nurses in the ICU. I have handled it fine for several months but as of late, I have started getting worsening anxiety on my way into the hospital. Its to the point that it is making me sick to my stomach when I arrive at the hospital. I have a past history of anxiety and mild depression, and now I feel like its coming back after I have handled it all without medication for a few years now. I don't want to quit my job but I am struggling to keep with it. I love being at the hospital for clinical, I love the mental challenge and working with my patients from a nursing perspective.

I am, also, burned out in regards to school, I just don't have the motivation to do anything. I am still doing fine, all A's and B's in my courses, but I know I am not getting the best out of this semester. Finals are in a few weeks and although I'm not concerned about failing my courses, I am just so exhausted and feel like I can't even make it to finals. My stress is manifesting in physical forms now with migraines, body aches and pains, inability to concentrate, and of course the exhaustion.

I'm not sure why I am posting this, other than just to want to vent for a moment because although I have made a couple of good friends in school they tend to be judgmental and I don't feel I can go to them about this. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful husband whom offers never ending support but I don't think he understands the level of stress I am experiencing right now. Anyways, TYIA for reading.

[beckyboo1, BSN, RN]

Hang in there! I felt exactly the same way for the past couple months until about 2 weeks ago. I'm now down to 16 days til my last final. Woohoo! You can do this too! Does your school have student assistance, like someone you can just talk to? It might be all it takes to get back on track. Good luck!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I went thru the same thing. As you progress in nursing school it gets more intense and plain ole hard. My suggestion is to focus on what you are doing NOW and not think of the job or the school when not there. Don't overwhelm your schedule with social events. Don't hang out with negative ninnies. DO get rest. Remember, all this is temporary. Once you get out of school and have only one job to do you will think you have a lot of time on your hands! If possible, try to work fewer hours.

[commonsense]

Welcome to life as an adult student.

[oohhgolly]

Thank you ClassicDame and Beckyboo1 for the feedback. My husband gave me some very practical advice last night, just suck it up, there's only one semester left after this one. So that's what I'm doing, putting my head in my books and sucking it up. ClassicDame, I am very much looking forward to this "free time" that you speak of! haha.

Commonsense, thanks but as someone who has been on the road to my BSN for over 5 years, I am hardly new to the adult student game. I have worked part time and full time while working towards my degree this whole time, so its hardly a matter of balancing the two plus my home life. Its the fact that I am just BURNED OUT after working towards this goal for so long. Thanks.

[Fruit Sucker]

Sorry to hear everything is sucking for you right now. I do think that with your anxiety worsening, you should look into a low dosage medication. I started taking Lexapro last semester for anxiety attacks, and it has really made a difference. Yes, you only have a short while to go, but there's no reason to suffer more than you have to if there's something that can help you out a little.

You can do it!!

[JBudd, MSN]

Sounds like you wanted off the meds; have you considered any of the homeopathic meds? My kids' psychologist recommended some OTC mood elevators, rather than going for prescriptions.

Try talking to someone at your school, your husband's support is great (!); but sometimes it helps to talk to folks who know exactly what you are dealing with.

When I finished my last degree, I would sit in the evenings trying to figure out what was wrong... it struck me just how much time I had been spending reading, studying, writing papers, doing my online responses.... I was getting bored! Hang in there friend, you'll be in a cap and gown sooner than you realize.