Burnout and Self-Care Challenges Among Pre-Licensure Nursing Students: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Burnout among pre-licensure nursing students is a significant concern in nursing education, characterized by emotional exhaustion, academic stress, and limited engagement in restorative self-care. This formative stage profoundly impacts psychological health, professional development, and nursing workforce retention. Objective: To map and synthesize the existing literature on burnout and self-care challenges among pre-licensure nursing students. Methods: A scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist was conducted across six academic databases. After removal of 18 duplicates from 516 identified records, 28 peer-reviewed studies met final inclusion criteria. Results: Included studies consistently identified a high prevalence of burnout among pre-licensure nursing students, characterized by emotional exhaustion, academic and psychological pressure, compounded by heavy workloads, financial strain, clinical training demands, and concerns about professional readiness. Significant barriers to effective self-care were identified, including time constraints, academic competition, and inadequate institutional support. Conclusions: Burnout and self-care challenges in this population are critical concerns for nursing education and workforce sustainability. Nursing programs must transition from awareness to action by embedding wellness support, mentorship, and structural reforms into the core curriculum to safeguard student well-being and develop a resilient nursing workforce.