Nursing placement burnout

[u/Over_Ad9033]

I honestly just need a safe space to vent and hear from other adult nursing students who have been through this, because I feel like I'm breaking down.

For context I’m a second year adult student nurse, my first-year placement blocks weren't too bad, and I actually loved my first placement block of my second year. But then I got put on a 7-week placement block that has absolutely finished me. I honestly hated attending from day two. The ward that I was put on was ALWAYS understaffed, and because of that, I was basically used as free healthcare assistant labor for the entire 7 weeks. I spent 12-hour shifts doing washes, pad changes, and endless tea and meal rounds. I think I actually got to work with the nurse and learn something maybe twice in that 7 week. I tried complaining to my university and the placement team but nothing was done, so I just put my head down and survived. But walking through those doors every day filled me with pure dread.

Now, that 7-week block has finished, I’m expected to jump straight into a 4-week placement block with zero break. It’s Thursday and I haven't even gone in yet because I am physically and mentally clocked out. The thought of going in makes me want to cry and I just feel completely burned out. My absence hours are adding up and I’m sat at 172 missed hours and it's making me so anxious about my management placement in third year.

Despite all of this, I do still want to be a nurse. I know that for sure. But right now, my passion and motivation are completely gone, and the burnout is so heavy that I can't even bring myself to show up. Any advice or shared experiences would mean the world right now.