Tips for staying healthy in nursing school?

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

Hi everyone!

So, I am finishing up my 2nd semester in a 5 semester ADN program that I started in January. Things are going pretty well gradewise, but this semester I just keep getting sick!

Last semester I was sick once, some viral thing (I went to a clinic, they did bloodwork and told me it was viral). It was like a flu with body aches and fever, headache. I wore a mask and went to class anyway because we were getting a test back that day AND we had a quiz... with no makeups possible.

This semester I got a similar flu-LIKE thing a month ago, and had fever, headache, body ache and nausea for 3-4 days. I had to miss a lab day because we were going to be oriented on the mother/child unit and I did not want to bring my germs up there. Once again, it was viral (as attested by the doc at the clinic) so there wasn't really anything I could take to get better faster.

Now, one month later, I am trying to get over a bad sinus infection. :(

I eat pretty healthy and walk for 45 minutes most days after class. I take a multi-vitamin daily and go to a chiropractor regularly. I work every weekend and have class M-F, but I still get enough sleep.

Any suggestions on how I can boost my immune system so I can quit getting sick?? I know nursing school is stressful and that can lead to a weakened immune system, but this seems ridiculous.

Oh, yeah - I work at a hospital and so I had my "mandatory" flu shot in 2012 and 2013. Funny, when I was teaching middle school, I never got the flu shot but I also didn't get sick this often!!

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.

They predicted the wrong strain for the flu shot wrong last year, thats why you got it.

stay hydrated, exercise, eat well, dont eat a bunch of junk

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

I definitely think I could be drinking more water... OK - adding that to the list! Thanks, Delgadido.

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
I definitely think I could be drinking more water... OK - adding that to the list! Thanks, Delgadido.

Remember... Hydration allows your mucus secretions to be thin and more mobile. prevents plugs, complications, or can help you recover much faster.

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Specializes in Medical Oncology, ER.

Don't forget sleep, number one thing nursing students don't do enough of.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

be selfish. By that I mean don't accept every social invitation. You need to chill out sometimes and rest your brain as well as your body. Oh, and wash hands religiously.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.

Yoga helps boost my immune system. It is amazing that when I do yoga regularly (usually about 3 times/week), I don't even remember what sick feels like. But when I get too busy for it, I am likely to get a cold. So I try to squeeze in at least 30 min 3 times a week.

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it really sounds like you're doing a bunch of really healthy stuff and stuff I'd recommend if you werent

I got sick all the time with my first 1.5 years but for some reason I haven't been as bad this last semester and I wonder if it's just the decreased stress I'm experiencing. We can do everything else healthy but if we can't get rid of the stress (which lets face it, we can't) then we're gonna get sick. I do think I got over being sick faster by being health, though

you eat healthy, but make sure you're including lots of fruit and veg and yes, drink a ton of water (especially while at clinicals since the hospitals are always so dry... I feel better the next day for sure!)

I use emergen-c when people around me are getting sick. dont' know if it works, but I'm gonna do whatever I can :)

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As I'm sure your already aware, stress lowers your immune system's function so being your in nursing school-you definitely have stress. This would obviously make you more susceptible to sickness..

I think one of the biggest things to keep your body at optimum level functioning is sleep!

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

Thanks, everyone! I am doing my best to protect my sleep. I function best with about 8 hours of sleep, but every now and then I get fewer.

I have not tried doing yoga regularly. I have 2 yoga DVD's - an AM and a PM session. Being low on money would make it tough for me to join a class, but perhaps I should add at least the AM workout to my routine - it's only 20 minutes (I think.)

It's a week later and I still have the cough, but I feel much better. Just a stubborn respiratory virus. Drinking water and sadly, taking meds (guaifenisen (sp?), decongestants) to stay functioning. I have the week off of class for Thanksgiving, then only 2 more weeks in this semester! I can do it!

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Join a gym and GO!!! I started working out this semester and my blood numbers have improved a thousand percent. My Triglycerides went from 750 down to 200 in just a month of weight training and a good diet.

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

Carribbean Character - Congrats! I lowered my cholesterol from 210 last fall to 155 this fall by walking regularly and eating better! I don't know if I can join a gym right now because I am low on money, but I can go workout at the rec center near my campus. That's where I go walking for 45 min with a friend after class. I haven't done any weight training, but I probably should start! Thanks for the suggestion.

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