Healthcare Neglect

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  • Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

Do you feel, as a nursing student, that you've put your health on the back burner? I know I get sick more often now, much worse than before. I'm missing class right now because of a killer headache that I've had since last night!

I don't know what we can do about it. Was hoping I'm not in this alone. Anyone else feel the same? -Andrea

manna, BSN, RN

2,038 Posts

I definately neglect my health - mainly because, since I quit my full-time job to attend school - I have no health insurance and no income. Makes it a little difficult to afford medical care. :o

meandragonbrett

2,438 Posts

Yeah, you're not the only one. I've been sick off and on since October. Latest round has been six weeks long.

dave1117

202 Posts

There is no excuse for not taking care of yourself...

Money is not needed to take care of yourself either...

Some of the cheapest food, ie. fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain products, low fat protein (chicken, turkey and fish) etc., are also some of the cheapest. Far to many students in my program live on cafeteria food, stop at McDonalds on the way to clinical and then sit on the couch and eat a bag of chips while studying...

Get off your a-- and walk around the block. Park at the far end of the parking lot rather than driving around for 5 minutes looking fro closer spot. Walk up the steps instead of waiting for the elevator.

How about waking up 20 minutes early and going for a jog...the excercise will not only help with your overall health but it will reduce your stress making it easier and more effective to study for your next exam.

I can go on and on.

Your brain functions better on high protein, low fat meals. You body functions better on complex carbs and low fat meals. Do the math...What do we tell our patients about nutrition and immobility?

You will feel smarter if you are healthier. Before you all start laughing, try it...

Good luck and I hope you feel better.

dave :)

manna, BSN, RN

2,038 Posts

I guess I was thinking of more of medical care rather than preventative things like healthy diet, activity level, etc. Those are great suggestions though, Dave, and probably more in line with the original question than my thoughts were - thanks! :)

RedSox33RN

1,483 Posts

Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

Yes.

I let my blood sugar get too high on my clinical days last semester. But my endo knew about it, and said it was okay to run higher on those days anyway, since my food schedule and anxiety level were so unpredictable. (I'm a Type 1 on an insulin pump).

But I got way run down, and then got a terrible gastrointestinal virus, and ended up in the hospital for 5 days over our vacation. After the 3rd day, being the rotten pt. I am, decided I'd had enough of the fluid overload of NS and rotten pain med (fentanyl) they were giving me (gave me a headache), so I checked out AMA. Learned my lesson when 12 hours later I was back in there!

Don't ignore your health, ladies and gents!!

Specializes in ED.

I let myself go medically. Especially when the money is tight, I will make sure the girls have the last of the fruit, milk, veggies if I know I won't be able to get more for a few days or something and I won't eat it if it means that they won't have any. I also catch myself not keeping up with my thyroid meds if the money is short. (which reminds me I have to put in for that refill).

But the stress does really get to me. I get sick more often and since the girls are all in day care I catch what ever gets sneezed on me. I just have to keep up with my meds and vitamins and I'll do better.

Ya know though, I think alot of nurses take better care of others than they do themselves.

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