Taking Anti-Anxiety Meds During Clinical?

[MoLee228]

I have been having some anxiety problems lately (aren't most nursing students?) and I have gotten a prescription from my physician for Klonopin 0.5 mg to be split in half and take 0.25 mg prn for anxiety. I just filled it tonight and I have clinical tomorrow. I have a lot of anxiety surrounding clinical (which I think many nursing students have) and I would really like to take the klonopin tomorrow. Nothing would make me happier than to be able to focus and not be a nervous wreck in clinical tomorrow! But, I am worried about taking it for the first time in case I have bad side effects. I know it is common to be drowsy while taking a benzodiazepine, and it wouldn't be good if I was impaired for clinical ! What would you do? Should I take it in the morning or wait until the weekend to see how it affects me? I really don't want to waste any because my physician only perscribed me a few and only wants me to take them when I REALLY need them (like in clinical, haha) since they can be addicting. Is it ok to take this during clinical even after I know it doesn't make me too drowsy? Does anyone else take anti-anxiety meds during clinical?

[TessaMae]

(Good call not taking the meds before clinical)

You might also want to consider taking the klonopin before bed. It could help you sleep and since the half life is so long it will still help with the anxiety you feel in clinical the next day. If your anxiety is really bad though, I agree with the other poster, you might want to consider seeing a specialist. There are a lot of anxiety reducing meds out there that wont be as impairing.

[E.R. Rookie]

Hi there

I take them 1mg but I split them. I take them due to insomnia. Its a PRN for me to so I end up taking 1-2 a week. I would never take them before a clinical because I would fall asleep lol. The knock me on my behind. I get a great nights sleep and end up feeling refreshed in the morning. Now that I am graduating I barely need them, in fact its been two weeks since I have taken one.

[E.R. Rookie]

(Good call not taking the meds before clinical)

You might also want to consider taking the klonopin before bed. It could help you sleep and since the half life is so long it will still help with the anxiety you feel in clinical the next day. If your anxiety is really bad though, I agree with the other poster, you might want to consider seeing a specialist. There are a lot of anxiety reducing meds out there that wont be as impairing.

This is so true! They work all through the next day for me. I am still quick witted and I dont find that they leave me fuzzy. I actually find myself to be more social.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

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