Anyone made it through Nsg school WITHOUT caffeine , Adderall, or Red Bull??

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just curious... i think i am one of the few (if not the only) student in my class who isn't dependent on getting their "necessary" coffee to be awake or to help jump start their morning, whether it be class or clinicals. well, i guess since i don't like coffee, that kind of makes a difference too. :rolleyes: and i know many people who rely on pills, coke, red bulls and other "uppers" to keep them focused when it comes to those late study nights... is there anyone like me out there who doesn't use all those chemicals to keep them going and are still doing really well??

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
Oh good grief. Who really cares who is drinking what to get through school?? Do we get special honors for graduating stimulant free? I love to drink coffee. I usually have one cup a day. But you know what...I have gotten all As and two Bs ( which were only points from an A). And I would have gotten them with or without that one cup of coffee a day. I'm a good student and always have been. And honestly come talk to me when you are my age with a bunch of little kids. When half the time the only time you can study is later at night after the kids have gone to bed and you've gotten lunches and backpacks ready for four people and clothes laid out, laundry finished, dishes and the house picked up. The ten plus years from being in your early 20s to your mid 30s is a whole different ballgame. Good luck to you at school.

I know how you feel! I have a husband who works 60+ hours a week and is also in school and we have 2 kids under 5 so life is insanity. I don't drink redbulls anymore cause I think they were making me fat but I LOVE my coffee!!!!! I drink it no sugar or cream so its not bad for me, but I love coffee and could not go w/o it. I don't feel like it gives me energy but it just is soothing..I think the idea of this thread is a bit silly just because I think its a far stretch comparing coffee, red-bulls, and ADDERAL!!! I mean really drinking a cup of coffee in the morning after my usual 4-5 hours of sleep is the same as Adderal????? Sorry don't think so..

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Oh not defensive at all. Sorry that you took it that way. I remember when I graduated with my first bachelor's degree, I was the same age as you. At that time I thought being away at college and living on my own while attending school and working was so stressful and difficult. But I will tell you that honestly, for me, that just does not compare to the stress of going to school, working, having a husband who works close to 80 hours a week, children with school functions and activities, house upkeep, bills, dinners to be made, grocery shopping, etc etc. But that's just me. I know that you didn't intend for your post to sound like you were "tooting your own horn" but to me it sounded very arrogant. I would never in million years wonder to myself who is drinking coffee and Red Bulls to get through school. It just wouldn't cross my mind.

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).
i think the idea of this thread is a bit silly just because i think its a far stretch comparing coffee, red-bulls, and adderal!!! i mean really drinking a cup of coffee in the morning after my usual 4-5 hours of sleep is the same as adderal????? sorry don't think so..

i completely respect your opinion, but i don't see it to be silly at all. because at the end of the day, they are all chemicals, legally consumed or not. yes, there are plenty of people that do only like the taste and flavor of coffee, red bull and whatever else....but speaking from my experiences most people enjoy the taste and the effect it produces. they might not necessarily do the same things, but the "similarity" that i'm talking about is that nursing students (as well as other students) do use these and many other chemicals to help them get through their college curriculums. of course no one, except a few brave souls who have already posted, will share that they do use adderall and other prescribed drugs illegally to help them cram, but it happens a lot!!!! it seems like some posters don't understand that this thread isn't about 'legal vs illegal' substances..... it's substances as a whole....hence my broad title.

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).
Oh not defensive at all. Sorry that you took it that way. I remember when I graduated with my first bachelor's degree, I was the same age as you. At that time I thought being away at college and living on my own while attending school and working was so stressful and difficult. But I will tell you that honestly, for me, that just does not compare to the stress of going to school, working, having a husband who works close to 80 hours a week, children with school functions and activities, house upkeep, bills, dinners to be made, grocery shopping, etc etc. But that's just me. I know that you didn't intend for your post to sound like you were "tooting your own horn" but to me it sounded very arrogant. I would never in million years wonder to myself who is drinking coffee and Red Bulls to get through school. It just wouldn't cross my mind.

No problem ohcomeon!!! When do you finish school (or are you already done)?? I just don't want people to become upset and be offended at this when that really wasn't my intention. I have never seen coffee drinkers as "weak" or not able to handle nursing school...But it seems like people are starting to try to turn it into that and I don't see why.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

LOL You don't have to post Illegally in red. I know it happens, I never said I didn't think it did.I know of two people in my class that use adderall illegally but I still don't think having a cup of coffee in the morning is even close to being in the same ballpark as using illegal drugs...Thats just my opinion no need to get all worked up I don't condone drug use at all expecially since the two people I know use it are young, single, and live with their parents..Not that if they didn't it would be okay, I would just think it was still wrong but I could at least understand how they fell into it..

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I have one semester left, so I will be done this fall. :)

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

@ ilovepatho: I can definately see your side and point! :) And I agree that No one should judge anyone, what they do, or why they do it... it's their life and body and they are free to do as they please. (well, as long as I don't have to pay for it LOL)

@ ohcomeon: WOOOHOO!!! You are almost there!!

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i completely respect your opinion, but i don't see it to be silly at all. because at the end of the day, they are all chemicals, legally consumed or not. yes, there are plenty of people that do only like the taste and flavor of coffee, red bull and whatever else....but speaking from my experiences most people enjoy the taste and the effect it produces. they might not necessarily do the same things, but the "similarity" that i'm talking about is that nursing students (as well as other students) do use these and many other chemicals to help them get through their college curriculums. of course no one, except a few brave souls who have already posted, will share that they do use adderall and other prescribed drugs illegally to help them cram, but it happens a lot!!!! it seems like some posters don't understand that this thread isn't about 'legal vs illegal' substances..... it's substances as a whole....hence my broad title.

do you realize that everything you eat or drink is a "chemical" (including water) in the same way that coffee is a "chemical?" we are, at the most basic level, a big bag of chemicals. coffee isn't infused with caffeine, it's a natural ingredient.

i agree with iluvpatho....what's the point of asking what other's are drinking? should we ask who is taking b vit supplements? they're also known for enhancing energy.

i know you have said repeatedly that there's no judgement in this post....but really, isn't asking who has made it through nursing school without stimulants somewhat self-congratulatory? doesn't it inherently infer that somehow finishing nursing school without using any caffeine is an accomplishment of some kind?

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

Not really....but if you choose to see it that way,that's your opinion. I can't really change how you choose to view this thread.

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Not really....but if you choose to see it that way,that's your opinion. I can't really change how you choose to view this thread.

Or, you could try and see that even if it wasn't your intention....that's how it appears to some.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I have been drinking Diet Pepsi and Diet Dr. Pepper since I was 15. Way way way before nursing school and it does nothing for me in giving me a pick me up. I like the taste and the carbonation. I stopped pop and was drinking carbonated flavored water because I thought that was healthier. Looking at the label it still had some of the same stuff the diet pop had so I went back to the pop.

Besides, I never stay up late studying. LOL I hate studying and avoid it at all costs, I average about an hour or total review for each test and that is usually by meeting up with a friend where we chat and review. I always say I am going to study and end up here or on Facebook or my iPad.

Now I don't have to worry about studying anymore since I am done with anything graded for my program. WOOOT! So yes I drink pop, but not for the reasons you listed and I am sure I will continue to drink after school as I did before starting school. Well that or I stop and go get the pain shot and stay to not starting again.

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

Well, if those 'some' are looking for an apology, here it is: I'M SORRY that you all feel that way, wasn't my intention. Is everyone that was offended OK now? Now I have tried diffusing and redirecting the way the thread is heading.... can we at least TRY to keep this thread positive and reduce all this negative energy?

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