any other students feel this way?

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i'm in my 3rd and last semester of LVN school and i am just feeling completely burnt out. they told us things start to click in 3rd semester and that hasn't happened for me at all yet. (although i am only in my 3rd week of clinical). i feel like im sleeping, eating, breathing nursing and that it's become too much. it's overload: clinicals, trying to remember every disease process known to man, remembering steps to key procedures i have to do in clinical, feeling inadequate at times (which i know is normal), tired of having my teachers look over my shoulder every 2 minutes and judging me, feeling like my classmates know more than i do, etc. im scared to death to become a nurse because im starting to think im not cut out for it. but then i think, im just plain tired. mentally and emotionally. anyone else go through this in their last months of school, and does it get better once you start working?

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Yes, we all went through it and yes, it does get better. Nursing school is one of the hardest things to get through, as well it should be. You are normal!!

:icon_hug:

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i need the reassurance, thanks :) and yes this has been one of the hardest things ive ever had to get through.

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The speaker at my graduation talked about his years in the Navy, including the month he spent in the jungle during survivor training. He said "That was the hardest thing I'd ever done in my life........and then I went to nursing school."

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wow, i believe it!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

Oh yes.... every minute of every day in class or clinical.... but when I'm really feeling at my lowest, my favorite instuctor will say something positive and all of the stress goes away for a few minutes.

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Wow, I must be divine intervention to read this post! I am feeling so burnt out that I was very seriously considering giving up altogether and going to find a job, any job!

I am in my second semester in Med surg 2. Things were going great until we had a 2 week break. It seemed like I became completely restless on the break and began to talk myself out of the whole nursing thing. Most of my classmates are CNA's so they know what this field is all about. I feel like a fish out of water at clinicals, like I havent learned a thing!

I am happy to know that it is all normal. I hope it gets better soon.

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Whatever you do, don't give up. I promise, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you will get there!!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Nursing school is very grueling. Your time is very stretched to the limit right now, and you probably wish that there were 36 hours to a day rather than 24. It does get better, so to speak, but then there is the transition from being a student who is dependent on a clinical instructor to using your own critical thinking that may tire you out for a moment. Once finishing school, the patient's life is in YOUR hands. That does take some adjusting. You will be fine. Be strong!

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even though you're feeling completely overwhelmed now, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see everything you've retained.

it will all come back to you.

completely, totally normal to feel burnt to a crisp.

it's a tough journey, no doubt.

but oh, the rewards are sweet.

give yourself a HUGE pat on the back.

leslie

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Specializes in post-op.

Don't give up! Everyone here has been through what you are going through now. And they are all correct there is a light at the end. I bet most of your other classmates feel the same as you! We all did it and so can you! You are almost done!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.

(((hug))) to all students in their last semester!

I remember my last semester too...realizing that SOON I'd be expected to do all this BY MYSELF!

You are not alone...we have all felt this anxiety.

I have also found, now that I'm the instructor, that towards the end of your last clinical semester, you will feel MUCH less anxiety about the work itself, and the paperwork will begin to feel like busywork rather than a brain exercise! This is because your "nurse brain" is becoming well ingrained! This is GOOD! I always congratulate my students when they start to say..."I'm bored with only one patient", or "It's only 10:00 and I'm done with everything already". This means there is some level of comfort being reached (and then I find someone they can help).

You will get there! Stop the negative self-talk! Picture yourself as a nurse; immerse yourself in your nursing books; carry your NCLEX board review book with you always and browse questions and rationales during down time (waiting in line, riding the bus, etc.). You will have it down by the time you take your test, then you can put all your books away (for awhile) and reclaim your "life". This way, you will be able to say, "I really gave it my all, and it was really worth the effort!" Count down the weeks! You can do anything if you know it is short term! Then, YOU'LL BE A NURSE!:balloons:

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