When I started nursing school I went off the caffeine because let's be honest, it's probably not that good for you, and I don't run as well when I drink it as I do when well, I don't drink it. So I quit. Then in my senior year with all the driving to SLC and such, I had to get off the wagon-plus I had a preceptor in leadership who told me you can't get through nursing without it-I think she's right :o). Diet Coke (preferrably cherry, with limes, or even a diet dr. pepper) is something I crave when I walk into the hospital-seriously. I try to hold off and wait and get one at lunch, but on the day shift I'll make a diet coke run before 10 just to have energy to make it through the day. And I must say, there's nothing like a diet coke, in a styrofoam cup, with the little balls of ice (aka balls of fun for your mouth). I mean seriously-I'm craving one right now. On night shifts I find it's also best to nip the tiredness in the bud and get the D.C. before midnight so it's long-lasting energizing action can begin working early and last through 7am, hopefully preventing falling asleep at the wheel on the ride home. In all honesty I do try to keep the caffeine drinking for work only, but that doesn't always happen......
Ambien is a night shift nurse's best friend. I tried not to use it, but the Tylenol PM's stopped working. I switched over to Unisom, which actually gave me a good 8-9 hours of sleep (something I never ever get) but I'd still feel fuzzy when I got to work-which is weird. So I tried the Ambien-and oh sweet heaven.It's not something I'm addicted to thank goodness. I only use it if I'm in the middle of a 2-3 day night shift run. In fact, I got my prescription in the middle of December and still haven't had to refill it yet. But it's so great-totally puts me to sleep despite the fact that it's daylight outside, doesn't give me psycho dreams (although tylenol PM sure did), I'll sleep my usual 5-6 hours, and be able to go running before I go into work that night, which is why I work more nights-I'm all about the running, and let's be honest, it's practically impossible to get in a decent run after working 12 hours.
And so life as a nurse will continue, all thanks to Diet Coke and Ambien.......
3 comments:
hahaha this was the funniest post!! today i went into bajio and the diet coke was just severely wrong! i dumped it out and tried caffeine free....still foul. it was like pure sugar flat soda. i was completely beside myself b/c i couldn't just ask for a refund for the drink--w/out diet coke my entire meal was tasting wrong--so i would need a refund for my whole order. then suddenly *a vision* when i saw the machine w/bottles behind the counter....walked up, told them my troubles, asked if i could have a bottle. they informed me that they checked and it was working and i said "but it is just wrong!" and they persisted and so did i, saying "do you drink diet coke? well i do--a lot of it and this is sick and my food is getting cold and i have to go and i just want a bottle!" and in the end, i felt bad that i had to be such a bitch to get my way but that's just the love and devotion that i have for the mysterious dark bubblie. (sigh) i better go to the fridge and get one right now.
way to stand up for the D.C. Shannon! I'm impressed!
Jen where is your vodka?
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