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Great ideas! Love it.

I really appreciate the feedback. This seems to be a pressing issue in our work setting. If each of us can overcome this obstacle, the gains are huge! Maybe think about pre-hydrating the nights before work to create a good foundation. If your stomach is delicate in the early am, one can consider introducing a protein shake with some high water content fruit later in the am. I encourage you to tinker with these ideas and make it work for you. Some interventions are better than none. Have fun learning about your body. I hope you will find the juicy grape inside you!

Feeling Like A RaisinThere is nothing like a long shift at the hospital to make a nurse feel like a raisin. The struggle to maintain hydration during a ten hour shift has been getting the best of me. I noticed toward the end of my ER shift a few worrisome symptoms: cottonmouth, headache, foggy brain, leg cramps and joint pain. My brain struggles to remain engaged and body feels like it's moving through molasses. The ProblemUsually, I went into very shift with my gas tank nearly empty. I drank fluids when I felt thirsty or needed a caffeine jolt. The few times I drank water, I found myself constantly rushing to the restroom. We all know we cannot keep rushing to the restroom when caring for sick patients. I am expected to react promptly to a dynamic work environment that is constantly influx. Response to a demanding work environment relies on having a full gas tank. Nurses can survive without food and voiding but, they cannot live without water. Looking for AnswersThe search was on to find a few interventions to correct the hydration problem. The goal is to find a few small changes that produce maximum results. After a literature review I unearthed some compelling research based practices. Dr. Stacey Sims is a forward thinking scientists that is changing the sports world's views about hydration. She is environmental exercise physiologist and nutrition scientists. Dr. Sims helps elite endurance athletes reach their professional goals. Her research highlight the factors that influence the small intestine water absorption. The main message is the majority of water is absorbed when the small intestine contents register just above plasma osmolarity. The balance of protein, high-water content fruits/vegetables, and lightly salted meals facilitate water transport into the bloodstream. Do not underestimate power of osmosis and the osmotic gradient. Dr. Sims recommends a few changes to boost one's optimum performance. I could not just take a scientist's word for it. I had to see it for myself. So I put a few hydration and nutrition tweaks into action. Do's10ml x individual's weight (kg)= ml of water with a pinch of himalayan salt (night prior to work or 2.5 hours prior to work)Protein drink (15-30 gm) within 30 minutes from waking upEach meal includes fruit or vegetable with high-water content ie: grapes, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, zucchini, peppers, celery, broccoli, cabbageLightly salt meals if you have no dietary restrictionsDrink lightly salted water with every meal (add pinch of himalayan salt to your water bottle)Becoming the Guinea PigAfter a few weeks of implementing these interventions, I was reaping the physical benefits. I thought these improvements were all in my head. So, I decided to go back to my old ways. I drank water only when thirsty and guzzled the soda down before I could think twice. I paid for these hasty decisions for the rest of the shift. The fog rolled over my brain. It took ten times the energy to care for my patients. Driving home I kept asking myself was it worth it? Nope. The sugar high didn't last as long the foggy brain. Don'tsAvoid drinking high sugar drinks ie: sports drinks, soda, coconut water. Juicy GrapeToday, I felt like a juicy grape. I am more agile to attack the mental and physical demands of my work day. The physical gains makes it easier to multi-task and move swiftly throughout the work day. The focus is to keep my hydration and nutrition on point during the workweek. I love looking at the ER experience as a fun obstacle course full of twist and turns. The well prepared professional has the best race. My Massive GainsDecrease fatigueDecrease headachesDecreased joint painHeightened multi-tasking capacityImproved career satisfaction when feeling physically strongSharing Life HacksMaybe you have the same struggles and looking for some answers. I'd like to pass on any tools that can help your professional performance. I encourage you to try these small interventions and see how you feel. Reference Sims, ST. L vanVliet, JD Cotter, and NJ Rehrer. "Sodium loading aids fluid balance and reduces physiological strain of trained men exercise in the heat." Medicine and Sciences in Sports and Exercise, 39(1). 123-130. 2007MobilityWOD. (2015, August 25). Negotiating the Hydration Science Matrix . Retrieved from Current Concepts and Thinking in Hydrating Athletes w/ Dr. Stacy Simms | Community MWod Video - MobilityWODMatt McNamara. "Cutting-Edge Hydration Strategies." Active.com [article]. Retrieved from

"Nothing like a little surgery to put your life in review."

Good news! Your emotions are normal. You won't feel like this forever. There are few things you can do to take care of yourself through this trying time. Journal- Writing in a journal will capture the personal growth throughout the next few months. During periods of tremendous challenges, one can miss the small successes that creeps in day by day. Also, we all need a place to vent frustration, sadness and worry. Then close the journal. Mindsets- Every night before bed write out the vision for your practice. I am smart. I am assertive. I am compassionate. I am a guardian. I'm sure you'll think of your own special vision. Whatever you think about prior to bed sets the tone for the next day. Invest in the good stuff. Find A Mentor- Search out a nurse you admire. Study the nurse's habits, problem solving skills, and interpersonal skills. Continue to study- Read up on the things you don't understand. The anxiety will fade then knowledge builds. It's beautiful thing to hunt for the answers. You will never forget the information and the sense of confidence is pretty remarkable. Hang in there sister!

I'm pediatric NP and advanced practice RNFA. My love for the OR and procedures have sent me on a path of adventure and re-inventing my career when it gets boring. I feel so lucky to cross paths with so many encouraging Docs, NPs and PAs. They have help me on my way and hope to pass on the kindness. I say go for whatever professional model resonates with you. You can find the fun!

I've heard many times that most things that are good for me, I will not want to do. Nobody wants to do a dirty job. Yet works of service give life purpose and satisfaction. Through my nursing career, I've learned to put my pride aside and wipe ass with compassion. In these small stinky moments I found purpose, value, compassion, and humor. I never felt a deep sense of purpose prior to becoming a nurse. Motherhood did not grow my heart as much as my nursing profession. As a young mom, my mind was full of grand dreams and expectations. I didn't share too many imperfect moments with my son. I thought the messy part of life was meant to be cleaned up and pushed away. I didn't realize accepting life's sh** has its blessings. Humans need a companion to witness their life's triumphs and struggles. Now, I realize getting messy and witnessing vulnerability nurtures human connection. On a light*hearted note, there are some practical dirty job tips: Apply menthol lip balm to the upper lip Never touch your face while wiping a bottom Warm washcloths make all the difference

Pay attention to the nagging thoughts! I say go for the engineering degree. I believe all education and life experiences prepare you for the work you are meant to do. My believe you'll find a way to merge these two specialities to express your unique gifts:)

I agree with the first post. Tell the truth. Think back on your childhood memories at the ER or doctor's office. One can anticipate what things will calm or stress your patients. Keep some bubbles in your pocket. It goes a long way to distract a 1-2 year old. I work closely with EMTs in my ER. I really appreciate those who anticipate the supplies I'll need for procedures. The work day goes by so swiftly. So, take some notes. It will make you invaluable. In addition, review normal pediatric vital signs. If the vitals are out of range, let a nurse know please. Have fun! It's an Adventure for sure.

Patience You are not going to know everything overnight. Be kind to yourself. The skills and knowledge will come in time. Focus on today. Ask yourself what is the one thing I can do today that will move the needle the most. You can't do it all. Sometimes the one thing is a nap or drilling cardiac meds. Pace yourself. Always be activated Be of service to patients and staff. Give people what they need before they ask. It makes an impression. Ask yourself what I would I want in that situation. Doctors and nurses are more likely to teach and open up when they see a little hustle. Ask questions Now is the time to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one that is not asked. It may save your career or a patient's life. Food & Water Please eat and drink before clinical. We don't want to peel you from the floor when your blood sugar drops.