Sleeplessness before Clinicals?

[KatePasa]

good morning an,

i had a beautiful night's sleep last night. now, that is exactly what eludes me on nights before clinicals, tests, or generally when i have something important going on at school when i have to be up, bright-eyed and bushy tailed. i have never experienced sleeplessness outside of these few scenarios.

tomorrow, i have to be up at 4am for clinicals. i am already anticipating trouble falling asleep. i'm terrified of being incompetent at clinical, which perpetuates the frustration and fear as i try to sleep. my brain is on overdrive after evenings of care-planning for the upcoming clinical day. i talked to one of my instructors about it. she said it's common among nursing students.

i'm also worried that this behavior will spill over into my career as a nurse!

i've tried cutting out caffeine, getting exercise, drinking sleepy tea, and taking melatonin. any other suggestions short of drugs?

thanks for advice/commiseration!

xoxo, kate

[SonOfStBenedict]

i am guilty of the same, i really don't have any extra advice but to try and start on care plans and paperwork as soon as you leave the hospital the day before and trying to get to sleep by 9:30 or 10. i never met that i always ended up going to bed at 12 or 1 having to be up at 5:15, i would be a little tired at first but by the time pre-conference and a cup of coffee i was alert for the rest of clinical granted i would crash after and sleep for like 5 hours i was fine while in the clinical setting. maybe you could try b12 or a 5 hour energy if you start to feel your energy dwindling. if you are just having trouble sleeping and can get care plans done in a timely manner, then i would exercise after leaving the hospital, take a shower do care plans and by time that's done you will more than likely be well due for a good nights sleep.