[funnynurse]

Ironically, I couldn't stand coffee until I started working as a nurse......I can even drink the stuff while driving home from work and go straight to sleep! Several Tim Horton's restaurant workers in my area know exactly what I want when I pull up! As someone in one of their commercials stated, "you don't even want to see me until I've had my first cup!" Coffee is just about the only thing that keeps my coworkers and I from falling asleep on our long shifts! It gives me the extra kick in the butt to get my job done! I will admit though, that I have had dreaded palpitations from drinking too much of it.

[babybugRN]

I too am lost without my coffee...I drink it black mostly but a little ffmilk/sugar substitute from time to time to change it up. I totally quit for a while and found myself struggling with being sluggish and tired to the point that I just threw up my hands and said forget it....give me some coffee. I do definitely feel a difference if I overdo it with the caffeine...heart palpitations and nervousness. I try to keep it to 3-4 cups, spread out during a 12 hr shift and I don't drink any after about 5-6pm to avoid messing up sleep time. So, yeah I am a caffeine addict but there are much worse things I am thinking.

They come out with new research on caffeine all the time and most of it says that a little coffee is good for you...actually has antioxidants and health benefits....too much is not good. All things in moderation

[bethin]

I go to Starbucks and get a grande mocha cap with 3 shots of espresso (yes, 3 ). Gets me through the shift. If I don't have it I have zero energy and can't function. The only time I drink coffee is at work, 2- 3 days a week so I don't feel that I have to worry about those dreaded caffeine headaches.

Me without coffee in the am at work is like watching the Exorcist.

[frodo]

i work 8 hour shifts, 11-7 and i definently need coffee, but have to stop at 4 a.m. of i don't sleep well.

[crystal22]

I work 12 hour night shift and have to have my caffiene. I don't do coffee...strictly pepsi or diet pepsi. It really doesn't seem to bother me going to sleep though and am often times finishing one up as I am giving report.

[elizabells]

Night shifter here: One large coffee, milk with five (yes, I said five) sugars for the subway ride in, and another when I go on my break at around 0200. If it's not too bad a night I'll get a small with milk and three, and if I'm not feeling so hot it'll be a large tea with milk and four. If I'm busting my butt and super thirsty I might grab a Coke/Pepsi to go with the second coffee. My rule is that when I do my 0500 cares, I have to throw out whatever I haven't finished so I have a chance of going to sleep.

So take note: raising your kids on carob and tofu juuuuuust might not result in a lifetime of good eating habits. Sorry, mom.

[akcarmean]

I work 4 days a week 10 hours 6pm to 4am I need at least 3-4 diet Pepsi's to keep me awake and functioning during my shift especially when the pt is asleep and the whole house is mostly dark.

Now that I am in school I study while he is asleep some times it helps some times it hurts.

If I don't have the caffeine I am very sluggish and it also helps keep my migraines under control. I drink diet so it has not affected my wt. In fact I have lost 100lbs since I have moved to NV March 07