Classes Started This Week

Crossfit SRNA2b · Aug 29, 2008

Wow, you are braver than me. I just started An accelerated BSN program this week as well, and I am not attempting to work. Student loans, scholarships and grants. But for all people, possibly including you, they are forced to work.

There is nothing you can do about sleep deprivation, you either will have to adjust and tough it out ( no condencention intented), or you will have to change something. Whether that change involves your work or your school is up to you.

Sorry, i know you were asking for tips, and the only one i can really offer is coffee, coffee and more coffee.

If you can pull off working full time in an accellerated program, hats off to you.

Good luck!

Tharem · Aug 29, 2008

To me it sounds more nutrition than sleep related. How are your eating habits during the day? For breakfast? Are you drinking enough water? Also the time between work and class looks like you could actually fit a nap in (you just have to be sure not to sleep through class, but really, a half-hour nap can do wonders). Would you have time after work to go home and take a shower? That can be very refreshing, both physically and psychologically. It just seems to me instead of going full steam ahead from morning to night, you can slow down a bit during the day and take a nap, take a shower, and start fresh for class, and watch your diet and fluids. I wouldn't try to compensate everything with caffeine, maybe one cup of coffee before or during class, but don't try to cover everything with caffeine, you'll burn out.

ggabri07, BSN, RN · Aug 29, 2008

Thank you all so far for your comments.

Now I really dont need to work. I am 23, no kids, no husband...( I have a boyfriend). My dad pays the car insurance, I pay no rent. The only bills I pay are my cell phone and credit card bills. I do my weekly food shopping. So I really dont need to work b/c my parents would take care of me...but i hate...absolutely HATE HATE HATE not working. I like to have my own things. I do have some time b/t work and school to take a nap...I may just do that. I could possibly nap at my sisters house...she lives about 20 min away from the school and I was also thinking about getting accupunture sessions once a week to help me relax and cope with the fatigue. I will try the nap things this upcomeing week and post my results.

Quite honestly my diet sucks. I need a plan. I want to lose weight so bad. I try to do the low carb...then I come to a point where I forget to bring food to work and I buy something that is totally againts low carb. I try to eat healthy and that seems to not get my anywhere. Any ideas for daily meal menus.

I dont want to depend on coffee to keep me awake. It does not seem to have much effect on me and I do not want to be dependent on it. Is anybody aware of any supplements that I can take?

2bnurselovescoffee · Aug 29, 2008

Quite honestly my diet sucks. I need a plan. I want to lose weight so bad. I try to do the low carb...then I come to a point where I forget to bring food to work and I buy something that is totally againts low carb. I try to eat healthy and that seems to not get my anywhere. Any ideas for daily meal menus.
I dont want to depend on coffee to keep me awake. It does not seem to have much effect on me and I do not want to be dependent on it. Is anybody aware of any supplements that I can take?

Low carb is probaly the worst diet to do in terms of energy. Carbs are your body's main source for energy... why would you want to cut that to lose weight when there are much better options? I did FIT FOR LIFE diet last summer and lost weight before 1st year of nursing and have maintained for a year feeling great with more energy then ever. (except after staying up all night preparing for clinicals without sleep:yawn:). It's clean eating 5 meals a day smaller of coorifice, and enough carbs to keep your body going. Check it out...

puffinsrule · Aug 29, 2008

I'm strange - coffee doesn't keep me awake, but brownies do. I think it's the combination of sugar and caffiene. You might try that. Also, try eating an apple on the way home from school. The chewing will wake you up a little. Hope this helps.

Tharem · Aug 29, 2008

Well you can definitely take a multivitamin to supplement your diet, but the thing about not eating healthy is it's a double wammy on your energy level; not only aren't you getting the nutrition you need, but high sugar snacks play havoc with your blood sugar and you end up crashing and just wanting to sleep. If you have to eat on the run at least try to pick things that help and don't hurt. Yogurt, small sandwiches, salads, etc. instead of candy bars or potato chips. Even a bagel is better than a candy bar. Also when you get something to drink don't get soda or some other high sugar drink. There are tons of relatively healthy drinks out now. Look at the label and stay away from high sugar (less than 20g per serving is good, soda is like 45). I also stay away from the artificial sweetener drinks, I don't trust those chemicals.

You don't have to change your whole lifestyle, but small choices can add up and most likely make you feel better.

Roberta88 · Aug 29, 2008

Well I'm only doing pre-req's, but I work full time with them and have 5 classes. I was going to a school 45 minutes away and I was exhausted by the time I got home at night. I just switched to a closer school so hopefully it will work out better. I think my advice would be to just make sure you plan and get everything you will need for the week on the weekend. That way at least you don't have to worry about anything else. It's tiring but you can do it!

ggabri07, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2008

Thanks everyone for your postings and advice.

I decided to fall off of the low- carb. That is probably why I was so tired in class. On Sat 8/30/08 I got one acupuncture treatment for Weight and Engery. I think that in conjunction with me eating enought is working well. Yesterday 9/2/08 I had my frist long day. I had all types of goodies ready for the day.

I had autumn wheat cereal for breakfast with skim milk, I had 2 yogurts, 2 turkey sandwiches, Spaghetti and Turkey, Granola bar, lots of water, V8 drink with supergreen, 2 Vitamin D tabs, 1 Vitamin C tabs, Gatorade, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and rice and spinach. I was up at 6:45am and did not get back home till 10:30pm. Surprisingly my energy levels were fine. I was able to be focused in class. No headaches. Full Concentration and I was able to wake up this morning at 6:45am without a problem.

Again thanks to all of you guys for your advice.

Also, I will do personal training and acupuncture treatments once a week for 1 hour and I will carry some free weights around me with me and do some arm exercises.

So I may not have to quit my job after all.

Is anybody doing any of the above while in nursing school?