Eating before clinicals

mich321 · Jan 8, 2009

When I had to get up that early for clinicals I would drink a carnation instant breakfast around 5:30 a.m. Then I would eat some fruit or a granola bar just before clinicals started at 7. I would always be really nervous, and I found that the instant breakfast didn't upset my stomach like eating other foods did. It will probably just take some trial and error!

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 8, 2009

I'm always nervous before clinicals. I'll eat an apple or some cheese and crackers. I'm usually hungry at clinicals so I always take a snack, some times we eat a late lunch at clincials.

NightOwl0624 · Jan 8, 2009

I had this problem, too. I had to eat breakfast before 5:30 in order to get to clinicals before 7 am. We didn't get a lunch break until 11:30 or so. That's a long time for me to go without food anyway, and to make it worse, I find it difficult to eat much that early.

I found I usually got really hungry around 9. I kept a granola bar in my pocket and just found the 1-2 minutes it took to eat it (out of the way in the break room or - worst case scenario - the bathroom). It usually helped avoid a headache and the loud stomach gurgles that would happen if I didn't.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 8, 2009

I'm glad someone else gets sick in the morning eating breakfast that early besides me. I would do the same though, force myself to eat something and take some granola bars with me or something. I would duck out for a bit to do some paperwork and eat that and it would keep me going.

Adams_Mommy_07 · Jan 8, 2009

It doesn't matter what time I get up, unless I have happened to sleep until 11 or so--which is rare, I'm not usually hungry for a good hour or more. I just take a slim fast, it's good, it curves your appetitie so you won't get too hungry during the day, and it's nutritious--well more nutritious than starburst and pepporoni sticks... :)

Then a light snack around 10 is good...

shrimpchips, LPN · Jan 8, 2009

I'm just afraid that I'm not going to be able to find time to duck out and quickly eat a snack, even though I just got an email from my clinical instructor to bring snacks and lunch PRN (unless we want to by them at the cafeteria). I also don't know how much care my patient is going to need or if I'm going to get more than one this semester...

NightOwl0624 · Jan 8, 2009

You should get out of that mindset now. If you cant take a 1-2 minute break, long eat a small snack, then something is wrong. You will probably have more than enough opportunities when you are charting.

Also, in one of my rotations we routinely had the opportunity to observe procedures. My instructor ALWAYS wanted to know if we had eaten breakfast, otherwise we couldn't go.

missjennmb · Jan 8, 2009

My first rotation was a nursing home. The scent of it totally kept me from eating anything at all during the day. I have nothing against nursing homes, but I definitely choose not to eat there, atleast the one I was at. I generally tried to scarf down a pop tart on my way in. I cant eat first thing in the AM either but by the time I was showered/out the door/half way there I was able to eat and have a drink with little issue, so something car friendly is a must. However, I've gained tons of weight since nursing school started and just started replacing breakfast with slim fast since Christmas and at home with a house full of food, it curbs my appetite and gives me energy, so I think I'm just going to use that this semester.

This morning I thought I wanted to eat something more substantial for breakfast, but after checking the packages of a box of pop tarts, a box of granola bars, and a container of honey toasted O's (generic honey nut cheerios) I was amazed at the lack of nutrition compared to my slim fast, so I went back to that. Even though I was hungry, it worked fine.

I use the Optima Slim Fast, which has 10g protein, 5g fiber, and a TON of vitamins, including B12 (yay energy!). I reccomend the cappuccino version and I dislike the vanilla. :)

PianoGirl20 · Jan 8, 2009

Try Luna Bars...they're very healthy/natural and are supposed to be formulated to keep you full...and I really think they do. And since they're in "bar" from, you could always just bring one along for your car ride and eat it just before you get to clinical so you don't have to eat the minute your feet hit the floor.

They also have Luna Sunrise bars, which come in really nice breakfasty flavors and don't taste nearly as healthy as they are :)

inland18mempire · Jan 8, 2009

i'm going to be a downer here. but when you start working as a real nurse, you'll have to go several hours without eating a thing. just think of this as a training session. you'll feel starved in the beginning, but then you get used to it. good luck to you.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 8, 2009

I usually grab a breakfast sandwich and coffee from WaWa on my way to clinical: the Turkey Sausage and Egg sandwich is really good and not that guilt-inducing. I find having more protein in the morning gets me through the day a lot farther than other breakfasts.

Since I never know what surprises the hospital cafeteria will have in store for me, I'll take along a couple of snack bars (Powerbar, Kashi, etc.) to eat during the day as needed.