No, no, no, I am getting a bad cold!!!

[TeresaRN2b]

We have been taking our lab class and theory class the past 6 weeks, but have a 2 week clinical class that starts on Monday. We are not supposed to go in if we are sick, but then we aren't allowed to have any absences or we have to make them up. They let us know up front that it would be very difficult to make up a missed clinical, but that they could possibly come up with one day to make up. Any more than that and we have to wait till the next semester to retake the class. I know I can't be the only one that has faced this dilemna. I will most probably go in sick anyway, but find this really frustrating. I don't want anyone to get sick from me, but I know odds are everyone will get sick at least once during the 2 year program if not many more times than that. How do you all handle illness? What's your school's policy? Any miracle cures for a cold?

Teresa

[JudithL_in_NH]

Get REST, REST, REST :zzzzz this weekend if you can! I'm sending healthy vibes your way!

Our policy is two absences only (which do have to be made up--and paid for!) After two absences, you must have a hearing in front of the faculty to continue in the program.

I have heard, however, that last year a student was EXTREMELY ill (like in the hospital) and missed six clinicals, and her clinical professor made them all up with her so she could continue in the program. I have to admit that our faculty seems to want to work with students and help them to succeed.

I missed my first clinical because my daughter was having surgery, and my clinical professor actually made me a really attractive offer: I'll make it up by going with her to Hospice one day--she's something of a guru in palliative care (does research, has written/edited texts you all may be using), so I'm thinking it's going be a great experience!

[busybeaver]

Whenever I feel a cold coming on I take Vit C, zinc and echineacia/goldenseal. I still might get a bit of the sniffles, but it seems to keep that hit by a mac truck feeling away. Good luck and take good care of yourself!

[NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN]

Ditto on the VitC- you can take much more than the minimum daily requirements for short periods of time; check with your MD or do some research and then load up. Ditto on the zinc. Echinacea should only be used short-term to stimulate the immune system (used long-term it has a paradoxical effect and can actually depress the immune system), and is much more effective in PREVENTING colds than ridding you of them (from what I've seen and read).

Drink lots of fluid to clear those sinuses, and don't load up on the cold medicine (which may temporarily clear your symptoms but may prolong the cold itself). Proper nutrition while you're sick- no junky eating!

But you already know all that. :)

My sole piece of real advice is to get yourself a bottle of Purell and use it 'til the cows come home, as an adjunct to handwashing, not instead of.

[fnimat1]

I hope you can catch this cold before it gets out of hand Teresa. Sending {{{Get Better Soon Vibes}}}

Hugs,

Fatima

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

Well nothing will "cure" a cold but here are things that can help with a cold or the flu even:

-Echinacea (take it to keep your immune system stimulated or when you feel a cold coming on). Take for 2 weeks, then 1 week off, etc

-Ditto on the Zinc

-Oregon Grape Seed Root pills. This is another one like Echinacea to take during cold and flu season.

-**Grapefruit Seed Extract** (aka GSE) this stuff ROCKS!! It is used by the Army Rangers and others because it just works! You can use it for anything to. I use the NutriBiotoc brand and you can look them up online

-Eat healthy (keeps with immune system)

-Garlic is awesome with immune system as well, just eat the cloves or if you cant stand that then the capsules are ok too

-lots of water, rest and keep those hands washed!!!

Of course Vit C is always good, take 500mg a day and when you are sick bump it up to 1000mg

One of my fav brands of pills is Solaray. Look them up online and they have an awesome site with articles about all the different herbs.

Marilyn

[RN_N_05]

My mom's boss swears by Zykam. It's like a gel you spray in your nose. It worked for my mom last year too. She used it for like 2 days and felt (and sounded) better. From what I know, it just reduces your symptoms or something like that. Not really sure. Hope you feel better!

[angelac1978]

I have had good experiences w/ Zycam as well. It's a very weird sensation though, because you don't inhale the gel, you just squirt it into your nostrils and let it absorb.

The best thing that helps ward off colds for me is rest! I work close to full time and go to school full time and at least once a week I just have to crash and sleep for about 3 hours in the afternoon. I have tried surviving on 6 hours of sleep with no catch up during the week and that is always when I get sick.

I also try to avoid any classmates that show up sick. One came in with what could only be described as "crud" you know, sinus congestion, cough, just generally feeling like crap, and those that sat next to her and worked with her during lab ended up getting it as well. Those of us that stayed on the other side of the room were fine. Also, wash your hands, try to eat a balanced diet, lots of fruits and veggies and I also take a multi vitamin and drink at least 64 oz of h2o a day. Since you are already getting a cold, you really need to rest over the weekend. Drink OJ and lots of h2o, and just laze around the house for a day or 2. Hope you feel better!

A

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Yes unfortunately working sick is here in the US. Just the way it is both student or employee.

renerian

[RN~in~CT]

What I usually do when I've got a cold coming on is take some Vit C, echinachea (never could spell that word), zinc lozengers, make some chicken soup, and rest. :zzzzz

Hmmm, the REST bit always seems the hardest to come by!

Hope you are feeling better soon!!