Sleep Deprivation & Clinical

[wannabesedated]

Hi all,

Just looking for advice or similar experiences..

Ok to summarize: I have a full day of classes on Weds, then clinical Thurs & Fri. I feel like I cannot get a good night's sleep Weds & Thurs nights because of the amount of research we have to do on our patients. I am at a disadvantage compared to most students, as I have a Weds lab running until 1630, THEN to the hospital to pick up patient assignments. Not to mention the icy driving conditions common up North here. Even after a full day of classes Weds I'm exhausted but drag myself through research. I am expecting next term to be much more difficult.

It also states clearly in our syllabus, under our expectations "students are not to show up 'incapacitated' in anyway, including sleep deprivation." Well I'm not superwoman, so I don't know how to get around this. Coffee can keep me alert, but it makes me twitchy and nauseous if I have too much.

I am afraid of

a) hurting someone on the road while driving (so many studies on driving & sleep deprivation). I am considering taking a taxi, because I am tired even driving home after wednesday, never mind on thurs and fri

b) hurting someone in clinical practice, how easy is it to make a med error or hang the wrong IV sol'n? Of course I would pay extra close attention knowing I'm exhausted, but there are so many other things that require close attention.. obviously the nurses can't monitor every single thing I do.

Has anyone been in a similar situation where everything is packed in so tightly? How do you function? Is there anyway I can convince my instructors that this is physically impossible? Maybe some people can handle a schedule like this, but I am not one who functions well on little sleep.

If this isn't clear I guess it's just evidence of how exhausted I am :trout:

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Two words for you: power naps.

You need to take time in between driving, clinicals and classes to sit or lie down for 20-30 minutes and take a nap. Either get someone you trust to wake you up or take an alarm clock with you. You'd be surprised how refreshed you are after such as short time of napping and how many hours of energy it gives you. Try it.

An alternative would be to do a 20 minute focused meditation.

I used to go to school full time and work night shift. I was sometimes up for over 24 hours at a time. Napping was how I got through it.

[S.T.A.C.E.Y, LPN]

I had the same problem throughout nursing school. I had classes 'til late on Wednesday, then clinical on Thursday and Friday. Many nights I wouldn't go to bed until 3 or 4am, but I just figured hey-thats life. You do what ya gotta do. Take a taxi if you have to, start your day with two coffees and a coke, take an afternoon nap before you start your Thursday evening work. I doubt complaining to the school will get you anywhere, as mine basically just said to suck it up.

[allthingsbright]

I had the same problem my first couple of semesters and can honestly say I started to physically and mentally adjust--maybe in part because I felt less stressed out as I began to be a bit more comfortable in my student nursing role.

Now I am concerned about working nights and driving home at 7AM. I will just have to practice safety--dont want to drink a lot of coffee because I WILL have to sleep when I get home, so not sure...cant nap as I have to be home in time to take the kids to school! It is a delimma.

I will say that you are not alone--this is a universal problem for students and nurses alike.

[Lisa CCU RN, RN]

I don't know what to tell you.

I would stay up til 3 and then get up at 5 and

I'd just get through the day and then go home and do weird things like fall asleep at the laundermat for 2 hours.

This seems to be normal in nursing school, but it does get better. By the time I got to my advanced clinicals, I only stayed up til 11 or 12 and was able ot get more sleep.

Prayer helps, good luck.

[eldragon]

Our clinicals are 12-hours. That doesn't include travel time, of course.

Tomorrow I start my preceptorship (only four to do, and a few tests and I'm out!) and I am fairly nervous. I'll be working 7 AM - 7 Pm, on a locked unit and there is no food to purchase at the site, and I can't leave or have my cell phone to call for delivery.

So I am packing a lunch, which is the first time in years I've had to do that.

I seriously wonder sometimes why it has to be so difficult. No sleep, no food......

It's always a struggle, isn't it?

[MB37]

I pack a lunch every day for class - there are a few restaurants nearby, but if you go out, you lose your parking space and there are none to be had after about 7:50 am. Plan your dinners to make extra of something that will heat up well - pasta, stir fry, etc. - and bring it with when you have your long days. I got an insulated lunch bag at WalMart for less than $10, and I always bring leftovers plus an individual thing of yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. Also, I always toss a couple granola bars in my clinical bag - in case I have to skip lunch, I want to make sure I remain on my feet.

[eldragon]

Good thinking about the leftovers.

I've never had to eat at this particular place, but I'm sure there is a refrigerator and microwave there.

I bought some of those tuna/crackers kits, and will bring some nuts and fresh fruit.

I'm going to bring change and hit the vending machines, too.