How to Avoid Burnout

Stress

I found this on nursing bulletin board and it was so nicely said, I want to quote it:

"I'm tired of the physical effects school is having on me: increased anxiety and depression. I rarely smile much anymore.

I'm tired of seeing the same faces at school everyday.

I'm tired of exploding at my family members because I'm so stressed out.

I'm tired of inconsistency from lab instructors and last minute instruction right before an evaluation (thanks a lot!).

I'm tired of lame group projects that are only worth 5 pts, but take away precious time."

I am sure many of you can relate.

Here is a good article on how to avoid burnout

Burnout Syndrome in Nursing Students

Some stress relief tips:

10 Ways to Zap Stress

Here are some more tips:

1) I highly recommend taking the summer off between the first year and the second year. There was a temptation to do an internship, but for me it was more important to get some much needed time off. I still got a job, internship or not.

2) Remember the end-game: a wonderful, rewarding career with good pay and four days off a week.

3) Remember that what you are doing is extremely meaningful.

4) Cry. I'm serious.

5) Don't read stuff about nursing outside of school. No medical thrillers, no websites, no magazines.

6) Remember that you'll get hired pretty quickly. Our graduates get hired fast.

7) Eat healthy and exercise. Exercise is wonderful stress relief. Make time for it.

8) Practice holistic care on yourself just like you would do for a patient.

9) Don't stress over grades. No one cares about your grades when hiring you. They just care that you made it through.

10) Learn to say 'no' in your real life.

11) Use all resources at your disposal- friends, teachers, remediation, youtube

12) Don't expect to know it all. Mush of nursing is learned on the job in your specialty.

13) Remember you can do this. You got into nursing school. Someone believed that you could do it-remember that

14) Do not procrastinate.

15) Take time off EVERY DAY. Hey, I mean it.

16) One day at a time. Thinking about what has to be done two weeks from now adds extra stress.

17) Stop putting pressure on yourself to be perfect. You're going to make mistakes-it's ok.

18) Befriend your classmates. They are your number one source of support.

19) Vent about teacher and the school in your own private Facebook group. Make fun of them-it's very therapeutic.

20) Set realistic goals.

21) Have a schedule you stick to that includes downtime.

22) Stay organized.

23) Ask for help. Don't do it alone. There are teachers and study groups and friends out there.

24) Do not wait until the last minute to study.

25) Take frequent breaks when studying so you retain material better.

26) Dress like a nursing student. Who cares if your make-up is perfect?

27) Study in different ways. When you're sick of reading, watch a video.

28) Don't worry about your house. You can clean it after nursing school.

A little composition entitled "Mom has a test"

29) Recognize your stress triggers and minimize them.

I wrote a previous blog post on stress. If it is serious GET HELP.

Stress and Getting Help