(a bit of a rant) how do you deal with exhaustion long days

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sorry in advanced, but this is going to come off very whiney especially since i know EVERYONE here is either in the same boat or has it WAY worse

i'm only a nursing student, and already i feel so exhausted it's making me sick

i try to get as much sleep as possible (i actually get at least 6-7 per night which i know is a lot), eat really healthy, and exercise but on days i spend in the hospital or have to get up early for class, i'm so tired literally feel nauseous, achy, extreme back discomfort, and like i'm so tired i can literally feel my heart and breathing go down. sometimes it feels like i'm sucking air through a straw. i've actually seen a doctor about this who told me by blood pressure was low and that i'm anemic so i've been taking iron, b12, folate with no help.

obviously everyone here is in the same, if not worse boat as far as scheduling and i knew that nursing would be tiring (again i'm still in school) before i started but i never thought that I would be THIS tired

do you think i should get out now? i REALLY want to be a nurse, i literally pour my heart and soul into my classes, but i don't know if i can deal with this much longer!!

any advise? food tips? new shoes? ahhh again i'm sorry i know i don't have it that bad, i guess it does just feel sort of good to rant sometimes and i don't feel comfortable doing it with my peers since i know they won't take me seriously since we all have to get up, and i just need advise =[

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

So sorry you're having such a rough time of it. At least when you start your first job, you won't wonder what hit you. Hopefully, you'll have hit your stride by then.

1. 6-7 hours of sleep is adequate for some people in some circumstances. You might try getting at least 8 hours.

2. If you're anemic you may find that supplements are rather poorly absorbed. I'd increase my intake of red meat, leafy greens and sources of Vitamin C.

3. If your shoes are not providing adequate support for your feet and legs, I'd spring for something really good. My latest favourite brand is UnderArmour; some styles have arch supports built right into the side of the shoe. When trying on shoes in the store, they should feel so good you don't want to take them off.

4. If you're doing really strenuous exercise, you might want to dial down the intensity for a bit and give your body a chance to catch up. Move slow, but keep moving.

5. This is temporary. There are crap nursing school rotations and there are crap jobs. Some you ride out, some you get out of.

Hang in there and good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I would recommend having your ferritin levels checked as well as your vitamin D levels. I have had chronic problems with both and the most exhausted and ill I've ever felt were when both of those were low. My vitamin D level was critically low twice, and on both occasions I could barely get out of bed and at one point was home sick for a week because I couldn't function. Ferritin will show if you are actually absorbing and storing your iron. If you are anemic as you mentioned, that might be the issue. Also, as someone else has stated, always make sure to take your iron with Vitamin C to aid absorption. I take 10,000 u of Vitamin D daily, as any less than that I am not able to keep my levels adequate. I also take an iron supplement called Solgar Gentle Iron and add 1000mg of Solgar Vitamin C to it as well.

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Your doctor is missing something. I would get a better work up.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg, Peds.

Dang, this resonates so much with me. I was a total zombie my last semester of nursing school. I was so tired all the time and felt like I wasn't absorbing the information being taught. I started out good, finished previous semesters with As and Bs. When I got to my last semester I actually failed. I struggled all semester long. After the semester ended I went to check in with my doc and explained everything to her. I was pretty anemic and my Vit D level was extremely low. I was started on supplements and brought my levels back up over the summer. I went back in the Fall and passed with an A. I would keep taking supplements as prescribed and change your diet.

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Follow your heart, follow your passion, the rest will work itself out. But, do take care of yourself with trying to get adequate sleep and a sleep schedule, eating properly (avoid binge carbs & sweets). Whatever your belief, ask for spiritual guidance and believe.

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Make yourself have some fun. Go to Arts Museum or take a spa day. Have some wine with dinner when you don't have to report in next day ( if you're old enough..ha!) Spend time with small kids nieces nephews.. They're brilliant quick thinkers..

In other words, give your brain a break, and pamper your soul.

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Specializes in Neuro.

Perhaps anxiety is a factor.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

You are not getting enough sleep.

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I agree. You should not feel like " sucking through a straw" when breathing. Id be concerned (( sorry))

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6-7 hours is not a lot of sleep. You need more rest. I felt the same in nursing school but spent years working 12s with no problem.

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