Insomnia?

[MikeyJ, RN]

I start nursing school in less than a week (eek!), and I am a little terrified of increased insomnia. When I become stressed or bogged down with classes, I tend to only get a few hours of sleep a night. I even run 4 or 5 miles a night, which helps to reduce stress, but I still suffer from insomnia.

Anyone else out there suffer from insomnia? If so, how do you deal with it? Any tips or suggestions for me to try?

[NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN]

I have never suffered from insomnia until I started nursing school. But I think every nursing student is in the same boat, at least the ones I know are.

[kukukajoo, LPN]

Bad news is it does happen.

The good news is that your body will sleep when it really really needs to.

I have insomnia off and on related to stress of life and school, etc. I will go days with little sleep then one day come home and be asleep by 5pm for the night no problem.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

I sleep when I can, but it's nothing to be up for 7-8 hours after my usual bedtime, researching for clinical, looking up meds, planning care, ensuring everything is set up for the next day, studying, and trying to be ready to go back to work when I have to go.....just another day in the life.

[iHeartNICU]

nusing school = insomnia on many nights....not all but a lot. Sleep when you can and when you need it. You won't do yourself any good studying if you can't pay attention because of lack of sleep. I learned that my first semester. Better to take a nap (even though it may cut into your study time) and then be rejuvinated and study better for less time. I noticed in your post that you said you run 4 to 5 miles/ night. Make sure not to run right before trying to sleep because it won't work. Your body needs a few hours to get off that enegy high before it can sleep. Best of luck with the new adventure called nursing school.