How do you recover from a long day?

NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN · Jul 12, 2017

Trying to shorten the nap would help with your sleep pattern. Back when 8 hour shifts were available I would go home and set the alarm for an hour later. It would refresh me enough to get threw the rest of the day but still allow me to get to sleep by a reasonable hour that night. I would never allow a three hour nap. Going to bed a 3am and needing to wake up a 5am for work is not safe for anyone, especially the patients.

I worked full time, went to school full time, and had a family to tend to so I feel your exhaustion. Many people have to do this to complete school but understand that it's only until school is over. The financial stress of not having a job could be more overwhelming than going to work to have the needed income. I found that working in a less physically exhausting role at work helped make life more manageable.

bluescrubs, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2017

Trying to shorten the nap would help with your sleep pattern. Back when 8 hour shifts were available I would go home and set the alarm for an hour later. It would refresh me enough to get threw the rest of the day but still allow me to get to sleep by a reasonable hour that night. I would never allow a three hour nap. Going to bed a 3am and needing to wake up a 5am for work is not safe for anyone, especially the patients.
I worked full time, went to school full time, and had a family to tend to so I feel your exhaustion. Many people have to do this to complete school but understand that it's only until school is over. The financial stress of not having a job could be more overwhelming than going to work to have the needed income. I found that working in a less physically exhausting role at work helped make life more manageable.

Wow, I have no idea how I would do it with a family to take care of. I know some people do go to nursing school and work full time and I'm amazed. I think I just have to start setting my alarm so I don't oversleep (even though my bed feels so good lol) and better time management to balance everything. I work at a bank so its not physically exhausting but I do have to wake up very early for it.

Kitiger, RN · Jul 19, 2017

Try setting your alarm for one hour - as NurseSpeedy said - and then do something active when you first get up. Even a few jumping jacks will help you want to be awake. Bend & stretch; get the blood moving! :singing:

bluescrubs, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 19, 2017

Try setting your alarm for one hour - as NurseSpeedy said - and then do something active when you first get up. Even a few jumping jacks will help you want to be awake. Bend & stretch; get the blood moving!

Thanks, I've been going to the gym more and trying to cut down on my naps. I'm also switching to a different multi-vitamin and hopefully that helps. I know once I quit my job i'll have more time to take better care of myself and balance school.

TraumaICUqueen · Jul 19, 2017

You get used to it. Procrastination does not help at all when it comes to have more rest periods. Once you start homework or study session, the key for me at least, was to study smart, finishing everything on time or before deadline. It also gets better as you advance.

Good luck!

bluescrubs, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 20, 2017

You get used to it. Procrastination does not help at all when it comes to have more rest periods. Once you start homework or study session, the key for me at least, was to study smart, finishing everything on time or before deadline. It also gets better as you advance.
Good luck!

I used to procrastinate a lot and always survived but now I do all my assignments early since everything tends to pile up (plus I'm paying out of pocket so I literally cannot afford to fail anything). Last week I had three test and I was just wishing for someone to save me. I know I'm smart enough but it does get physically draining.