How many hours of sleep did you get a night when you were in nursing school?

Nursing school is demanding. Students often report they are struggling with sleep due to the heavy course load, clinical placements, and studying requirements.

My friend says she only gets about 4-5 hours of sleep a night while in NS. I can't function without a minimum of 6-7 hours of sleep and am starting to get nervous and think that maybe I should start training my body to get less sleep (if thats even possible for me).

Have you experienced this while in nursing school? How many hours of sleep did you get per night?

[mammac5]

6-7 depending on how early that first class is in the a.m. I cannot physically or mentally function with less. I never stay up late to study because I found out a long time ago that it's just not possible for me.

[shrimpchips, LPN]

usually around 6...but it just depends...

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

I've been in school for three weeks, and I get about 6 hours a night. I up at 5 a.m. with a half hour for myself to wake up, then I shower, kiss the husband goodbye, prep the kids' for school, see them out, and head out the door myself. When I have clinicals (one day a week now; two days a week in the future), the husband is responsible for seeing the kids off. I usually get home by 3:30, go get the kids, get them organized for homework and study with them. My husband cooks dinner (thank goodness for supportive families!), I clean up, and then I study 'til bedtime in an area I am available to my family cuz I don't like feeling totally separated from them all the time. I'm in bed by about 10 or 10:30.

Here are some time management tips that have worked for me so far: I take every Friday night off from studying to chill with my family--we need downtime, so schedule it in! I don't get off my sleep schedule except to sleep in a couple hours more on Saturday and Sunday mornings. I spend a part of the day on Saturdays doing household stuff, and I make a list of things I want to accomplish every day for school the next week in my planner. I make the daily list achievable and within deadline using my syllabi as guides, with longer-term projects in mind. There are also household things in there, too, along with the kids' schedule. This type of time mgt. works if you are a nonworking parent or not working with no kids.

Quite frankly, if you are working and going to school (kids or no kids), I don't know how you do it. The single, working parents with small children--wow. I don't think I would have the cajones to even think about nursing school! You have my deepest admiration for your perseverence and dedication. :)

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Usually 6-8, and I worked.

Being run down will not help you OR your patients in the long run.

Learn to prioritize.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

Well, I was single and had a part time job and also spent a lot of time out partying with my friends so I guess about average. I never fell asleep in class so I guess it was enough.

[Aurora77]

I always try to get my 8. I go to school full time, work part time, am married, no kids. It can be done, you just have to have good time management skills. If I don't get enough sleep my brain's too foggy and I'm too cranky to be any good to anyone.

[Rylee2008, ASN, RN]

I average about 7 hours on class days and 6 hours on clinical days. The night before a test I need at least 7 so I can think clearly.

[mammac5]

I'm 44 and in the final stretch of a very accelerated program. I don't function without sleep. Period. I average 7.5 hr/night. Even on the nights prior to clinicals I never sleep less than 6.5 hrs.

You can do this. Just be organized from day one. Do not get behind! Realize that it is not humanly possible (nor necessary) to read every single word you are assigned. Activity and good nutrition are your friends - as is a regular schedule for sleep. You have to take good care of yourself. When people tell me they have to stay up all night studying I feel bad for them, but not so bad that I can't go home and get some rest myself!

[Rednights]

~ 7 hours. I was never forced to sleep any less. No point in feeling sleepy during tests to study more the previous night.

[One1, BSN, RN]

If you can't go without sleep then get your sleep and sacrifice something else in your schedule (preferrably not studying though ). I get 4-5 hours of sleep a night, and try to sleep in one day of the weekend (7-8 hours). I am over 30 with two young children who dictate my schedule quite a bit. Since I cannot study when they are awake I get up very early in the morning to study. I am very organized but have not enough hours in the day to get all my responsibilities in, but that is (my) sacrifice of going through nursing school.

[redmykal1524]

I am 32, children, and work in the hospital while going to school. I am lucky to get 4 hours of sleep and I don't get days off. But thats just me. Enjoy the insomnia. I do graduate in August though so it can be done. longest 2 years of my life. Just keeping it real. Good luck.

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

I got the regular amount of sleep, 7-8 hours. When its crunch time, I have no problems surviving on 2-3 hours of sleep or even an all nighter. It is nice to be young in NS.