How do you function on little or no sleep?

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Jul 16, 2009

How do you function on little or no sleep?

Many summers of practice working at a scout camp.

shrimpchips, LPN · Jul 16, 2009

:smilecoffeeIlovecof Coffee...and lots of it! (but of course be careful what you drink/what you put in it because that could mean more calories which = weight gain!)

if you need to nap, try to sleep for either 20-25 minutes or for 90 minutes. do you ever sleep for maybe an hour and then wake up and feel more tired than you did before lying down to take a nap? when that happens, you're in the middle of your deep sleep (REM) cycle. Nap for 20-25 minutes if you need a power nap (but try to take longer naps, at least 90 minutes, so you can make use of that REM cycle) or sleep in 90-minute increments (1 1/2 hours, 3 hours, 4 1/2 hours, 6 hours....etc) - you'll feel a lot more refreshed.

rachelgeorgina · Jul 16, 2009

I don't. Cope, that is. I need a decent amount of sleep to function else my world falls apart.

On days when I have to get up at 5am to get to work I got to bed at 9am. & I take 200mg Modavigil in the morning and another 100mg at lunch time (prescription, of course.)

Without enough sleep (and medication) I am a wreck. I've fallen asleep on my lab desk during a patho exam and on another girls shoulder in a lecture. (A girl that I didn't know, either!) I also begin to "nod" when I'm driving and have had to pull over many times to nap (yes, nap) in my car.

My advice: if there really is that much homework each and every single night, maybe it's not a good idea to try and fit in all in of an evening. Maybe try and get some done between classes or during your lunch break in order to free up the pm for sleeeeeeep.

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 16, 2009

If you MUST function on little to no sleep, make sure to take good care of yourself in other ways. Such as proper diet (too many carbs and junk food will make you crash), exercise of some sort (it will actually give you more energy), and go easy on the caffeine.

Take care,

Diane, RN

snkristen3689 · Jul 16, 2009

exercise!!!!! running in the morning definitely helps me get through the day...also eat an awesome breakfast with lots of fruit. bring fruits, veggies and granola bars in your bag to munch on throughout the day. bananas are awesome for an energy boost. i do like coffee as well but only one cup in the morning...if i try studying at night while drinking coffee i end up not absorbing any of the info. also plan your schedule so that you will always have 7/8 hours of sleep....while you sleep your memory is working to store all of the info from that day...YOU CAN DO IT!

deleern · Jul 16, 2009

My nursing school experience was very extreme, I had to keep my full time night position for the heath insurance. The 1st semester was the toughest. the 1st 3 days each week I was averaging 2 hour per day of sleep. Had Thursdays off from school so I would sleep all day... I learned to sleep sitting up in a chair my Cell phone alarm was my beast friend. I had a blanket and a pillow in my car. I stayed away from the energy drinks they made me edgy. I studied at night on my down time. I tried to maintain my NOC schedule so I would study at night. I brought my lunch to school as the lunch offered was mostly deep fried. I had 3 water bottles that I would freeze each night and made sure I drank them every day. (must stay hydrated)

I was a non traditional student.. I was 45 years old when I started the Program. I graduated my LPN in 3 semester and my RN in 4, (I took that a bit slower) If I can do it any one can.

Jewl · Jul 17, 2009

Thanks to everyone who shared their experience. I feel good now about starting school in August. I am not as worried about the long hours. Just hearing how you all survived encourages me greatly.

You all are great!

Thanks again,

Jessica

Jewl · Jul 17, 2009

DeLee99

Wow, great testimony.

I love how you took and passed the NCLEX the same day as your grandchild was born. That must of been a great day!

Thanks for sharing your story!

Jessica

mareeh77 · Jul 19, 2009

I'm still functioning w/ not enough sleep since I'm still working 3 12-hr shifts at a hospital while in a full-time LVN-RN bridge program. I can't wait till I'm done and actually getting paid for not getting enough sleep. It hasn't been easy. I also have a husband and 2 kids to boot. Nope, not easy at all.

I can remember 1 wk during finals when I went on 7 hrs of total sleep in 5 days. I actually don't know how I managed that one. This whole ordeal will, hopefully, be over in January.

We all do what we have to do. In my case, I have to work in order to provide for my family.

I suggest making sure to take your vitamins, carry non-perishable healthy snacks in your car, along with a pillow and blanket. I would literally take my lunch in my car and set my cell phone to wake me up.

If I was coming off of a night shift and had an hour before class started, I would change at work, head to the school parking lot, and sleep in my car until class started.

earthcrosser · Jul 20, 2009

You get little sleep when you work nights as a nurse. If I get 5 (interrupted) hours between shifts, awesome. I get 7 hours before the first shift and another 7 following my last shift. I like to sit around for a bit and relax before working or doing anything, so that's a big component of how I function - I'm not good at getting up and immediately bursting into activity anymore. Eating lots of healthy meals and snacks will also help you out in the long run - I feel better even when tired with a salad for a meal than I ever did eating a burger.