Making It Through the Final Year of Nursing School: A Message from Harper

Harper Ease
Nov 29, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Nov 21

Hi there, future nurse!

Your final year of nursing school is a powerful milestone—one that brings a combination of excitement, pressure, pride, and uncertainty. It’s normal to feel stretched thin. In fact, this final stretch is where many students discover their resilience, refine their focus, and begin stepping into the role of the professional nurse they’re becoming.

This year challenges you, shapes you, and strengthens you. And even when it feels overwhelming, every assignment, clinical rotation, and exam is preparing you for something extraordinary.

Find Focus by Taking One Step at a Time

The final year often comes with competing deadlines, clinical preparation, exams, and life responsibilities. Many nursing students feel the pressure to juggle everything flawlessly—yet the real key to success is learning to focus on one priority at a time.

A helpful question to keep grounded is:

“What is the most important thing I can do right now?”

Breaking your workload into meaningful, manageable steps creates clarity and momentum. Whether it’s reviewing NCLEX-style questions, completing clinical paperwork, organizing your schedule, or simply getting the rest your mind and body need—focus on the task directly in front of you. One step at a time is how you climb this final hill.

Why Journaling Is a Game-Changer for Nursing Students

Nursing school is an emotional journey—rewarding, stressful, inspiring, and sometimes overwhelming. Journaling gives you a safe space to process it all.

Writing helps with:

Clearing mental clutter
Understanding your emotions
Reflecting on patient care experiences
Tracking your growth
Reducing stress
Celebrating your progress

That is why I created My Journey to Becoming a Nurse Digital Journal—a guided digital journal specifically designed for nursing students. It includes thoughtful prompts that help you reflect on clinical experiences, build confidence, and stay grounded throughout your final year.

You can find it in the members area of my website. I hope it becomes a supportive companion throughout your journey.

Take Time to Recharge — Even When You Think You Can’t

Long study days, emotional clinical shifts, and constant deadlines can take a toll. When stress builds, one of the most effective ways to reset is surprisingly simple:

Take a walk.

Walking:

Clears your mind
Lowers stress
Boosts clarity and focus
Improves mood and energy
Helps you breathe and reconnect with yourself

Whether it’s indoors or outside, even 10 minutes can feel like a much-needed reset button.

To support you during these moments, I created the A Walk with Harper series—guided 5-to-20-minute walking videos featuring peaceful trails and calming scenery. Throughout each video, I’ll check in with you, encourage you, and remind you to breathe, observe, and keep moving forward.

These walks are included for free when you join the Harper Ease community.

When nursing school feels overwhelming, slip on your shoes and walk with me. Let your mind settle. Let your stress fall away. You deserve that break.

Keep Your “Why” Close to Your Heart

During your final year, motivation may fluctuate. When that happens, return to the reason you chose nursing:

The lives you want to impact
The care you want to provide
The difference you hope to make
The compassion you want to bring to healthcare

Your “why” is your anchor. Hold onto it, especially on the days that feel difficult.

You’re Almost There

The final year of nursing school requires determination, compassion for yourself, and perseverance. You don’t need to be perfect—you only need to keep going.

Lean on your support system. Ask questions. Take breaks. Journal often. Walk when you need clarity. Celebrate the small wins that carry you closer to graduation.