For several years I have wanted to become an RN. Now, after a few years I have finally found a way financially to go back to school. Now that I'm on the edge of really doing this, I have a few concerns.
I am a 31 year old female. I have the opposite blood pressure problem of most people, I have low blood pressure. Most times I am 90/60. That said, if I don't drink ALOT of water I get dizzy and I am a fainter. Thing is if I take care of myself, I am just fine, perfectly healthy. If I can't drink alot of water (necessitating bathroom trips every 2 hours) I get weak, dizzy, etc. I read this board all the time and I read about not getting to drink fluids, inability to run to the bathroom, and lack of meals during shifts. That's my other issue, eating. I have fussy blood sugar and if I don't eat at least every five hours I can faint from that too. Example, I've had a finger stick of blood sugar at 38 when I couldn't eat and then got weak. Even if I don't faint, if I go too long without eating I fade out mentally and I would be dangerous to patients.
Here's my frustration. If I am able to drink water which would require a bathroom stop about every two hours, and eat at least every five hours I can work just as hard as anyone else and be just great. If not...I can zap out. Literally.
So when I read on the board that RNs can't go to the bathroom, I know it is because they are so busy. Do RN's have to give report and sign out their patients in writing to another RN just to zip into the bathroom for a few seconds? Or can an RN just say to a co-worker RN, I need one minute, to go to the bathroom please watch my patients?
Thing is, the things I need to function are what we all need to function at a basic healthy level. I just don't know how much of a problem these concerns of mine are regarding blood pressure/blood sugar and working in nursing.
Any info and advice is appreciated.
p.s. I am interested in Med/Surg nursing, and possibly psych.
I'm starting nsg school soon, and I've actually started practicing not peeing for hours at a time . . . Used to go 3 times during my workday, at very regular intervals, now I aim for just once at lunch or not at all . . . :stone
I'm starting nsg school soon, and I've actually started practicing not peeing for hours at a time . . . Used to go 3 times during my workday, at very regular intervals, now I aim for just once at lunch or not at all . . . :stone
Please do not do that to yourself. It is not good for your kidneys. There is really no reason to do this. It does not take that long to pee. Do not get into this habit - it will cause you more harm than good.
Please do not do that to yourself. It is not good for your kidneys. There is really no reason to do this. It does not take that long to pee. Do not get into this habit - it will cause you more harm than good.
Thanks, RN4NICU. I will definitely believe you since, as you may have read, I'm going to NNP school!
It's a myth RNs don't go to the bathroom. RNs can and do go to the bathroom. I drink a few cups of coffee throughout the day, but I alway hydrate well by drinking lots of water. I go to the bathroom frequently.
As was mentioned above, I wouldn't work in places like the OR or L&D where coverage is hard to comeby and you're all scrubbed down.
Don't let the martyr nurses who claim they are so busy they can't pee discourage you. Shame on them.
please do not do that to yourself. it is not good for your kidneys. there is really no reason to do this. it does not take that long to pee. do not get into this habit - it will cause you more harm than good.
i agree. not only are you not getting the valuable hydration necessary to keep you going (and lord only knows how a nurse can sweat! ) you can do damage to your bladder and kidneys by holding your urine for inordinate amounts of time. the bladder can stretch by a large amount, but it has limits, and your sphincter tone can suffer. you'd never be able to do that when you're pregnant, either. drink before you're thirsty, and don't let anyone make you feel bad for having to go to the bathroom. it's a horrible cultural myth that you should be able to hold it. let's not even get into the poor young girls that won't defecate in a public bathroom because of some misplaced sense of shame inflicted upon them by others. i have seen such incredible suffering over that.
For several years I have wanted to become an RN. Now, after a few years I have finally found a way financially to go back to school. Now that I'm on the edge of really doing this, I have a few concerns.
I am a 31 year old female. I have the opposite blood pressure problem of most people, I have low blood pressure. Most times I am 90/60. That said, if I don't drink ALOT of water I get dizzy and I am a fainter. Thing is if I take care of myself, I am just fine, perfectly healthy. If I can't drink alot of water (necessitating bathroom trips every 2 hours) I get weak, dizzy, etc. I read this board all the time and I read about not getting to drink fluids, inability to run to the bathroom, and lack of meals during shifts. That's my other issue, eating. I have fussy blood sugar and if I don't eat at least every five hours I can faint from that too. Example, I've had a finger stick of blood sugar at 38 when I couldn't eat and then got weak. Even if I don't faint, if I go too long without eating I fade out mentally and I would be dangerous to patients.
Here's my frustration. If I am able to drink water which would require a bathroom stop about every two hours, and eat at least every five hours I can work just as hard as anyone else and be just great. If not...I can zap out. Literally.
So when I read on the board that RNs can't go to the bathroom, I know it is because they are so busy. Do RN's have to give report and sign out their patients in writing to another RN just to zip into the bathroom for a few seconds? Or can an RN just say to a co-worker RN, I need one minute, to go to the bathroom please watch my patients?
Thing is, the things I need to function are what we all need to function at a basic healthy level. I just don't know how much of a problem these concerns of mine are regarding blood pressure/blood sugar and working in nursing.
Any info and advice is appreciated.
p.s. I am interested in Med/Surg nursing, and possibly psych.
Have you been examined by a doctor to find out why you have these symptoms? The things you are reporting are not normal it could be a serious health problem and you need to see a doctor.
elizabells, BSN, RN
2,094 Posts
I'm starting nsg school soon, and I've actually started practicing not peeing for hours at a time . . . Used to go 3 times during my workday, at very regular intervals, now I aim for just once at lunch or not at all . . . :stone