Becoming One with Your Coffee

Published

Specializes in CCU, Geriatrics, Critical Care, Tele.

nurse-coffee-cup.jpg.a46c102d716d104bf06409be5d58fbef.jpg

Many people rely on coffee in the morning to jump-start their day. A couple of cups, and they are good to go. But there are others whose need for caffeine goes a bit deeper. They need hourly infusions to keep them going. How do you keep yourself going through those long and tough shifts?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

HA! Thinking a caffeine IV would be quite beneficial.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

My coffee addiction probably started in the 50s, when I'd sneak down to my grandmother's house and she'd fix me a cup. Milk, sugar, and just a taste of coffee. It was heaven and our little secret. My mother would have had a kitty if she'd known. My grandmother probably gave it to me for exactly that reason, but that's another story.

Black and strong at work, flavored and sweet at home.

Business and pleasure.

I really can sympathize with those poor souls who simply can't give up their booze or smokes, because we're basically in the same boat.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care, ER, stepdown, PACU, LTC.

Due to blood pressure and heart rate issues I usually limit myself to one cup a day, but I'm picky. It has to be good coffee from my keurig, and my husband knows not to talk to me until I've finished at least half of it:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgial, Cardiac, Pediatrics.

I sometimes drink really strong coffee, not because caffeine keeps me awake, but because it gives me a stomachache and makes me pee often. If your stomach hurts and you have to pee all the time, you aren't sleeping.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I'm raising my hand. I'm a coffee addict! I carry a 24-ounce cup of coffee with me into the workplace at the start of each shift, and I refill as desired.

In addition to homemade coffee, I also like the coffee at specific fast food joints, namely Sonic and McDonalds. I also like the cheap mochas from gas station mini marts and convenience stores such as the local 7-11.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Heaven help me if they ever drug test for caffeine or ibuprofen.......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care, ER, stepdown, PACU, LTC.
I'm raising my hand. I'm a coffee addict! I carry a 24-ounce cup of coffee with me into the workplace at the start of each shift, and I refill as desired.

In addition to homemade coffee, I also like the coffee at specific fast food joints, namely Sonic and McDonalds. I also like the cheap mochas from gas station mini marts and convenience stores such as the local 7-11.

My new guilty pleasure is Casey's iced mocha! I know it's probably a powdered mix having very little resemblance to real coffee, but it tastes soooo good, and it's an awesome substitute for hot coffee when it's 90+ degrees outside.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love coffee (AEB my avatar). I love my home Keurig & work Keurig... my hospital has them all over the facility.

Anyone been to Wawa? Their coffee is the best!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I had a cup during the winter of '73. I thought that to be the most God-awful stuff my taste buds have ever been introduced to! A couple of years ago, I was on a cruise ship and thought I would have a piece of coffee cake. I thought it was just gingerbread, the chosen preference of coffee drinkers (as you can see, I don't get out much). I took one bite and was sick the rest of the day. It actually had coffee in it!:yuck:

No, no, thank you! I will stick with my Diet Coke and if I need a boost, Vivarin is equal to two cups of coffee. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it is just one of the addiction of most nurses. I myself is fund of drinking coffee specially on hours of duty. It prevent me from being asleep at night duty. I think, it is also part of my everyday life to drink coffee at least 3 times a day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

I know the exact day that I became a coffee drinker. I also know that I have developed a significant tolerance for the stuff. I have cut back quite a bit, but it's definitely more than a single cup every day. When I'm at work, I can easily go through most of a pot of coffee (about 8 cups of 12) within about 6 hours. Yes, that's a LOT of caffeine. I used to drink more than that, I now drink quite a bit less.

Can I get by without it? Sure. The amount of caffeine in my system won't let me have a caffeine withdrawl headache for about 3 days... I'm very tolerant of the stuff and fortunately for me, the headache isn't bad.

Is it an addiction? Yes and no. Can I stop? Sure. I can put up with the headache for the short time I'll have it. Are there worse addictions out there? Yes. Would I be happy with decaf? Sure. After I got rid of the headache. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion