Question:
This is for nurses or nursing students................

I am a nursing student. In the quarter following my surgery I will be doing clinicals 3 times a week, from 7:30-3:00. How do I manage to get in all the water I need to during these hours? I can't carry a cup around with me while I'm doing patient care. Also, what about eating at work? What sort of foods are good to carry for lunch that I'll be able to tolerate? Thanks!    — mbanks (posted on November 1, 2000)

November 1, 2000
Hi, My name is Mary and I am a RN. I didn't go back to work until I was 7 weeks out. The first two weeks were really rough. I was so tired. I drink my protein in the morning and take tiny bites of chicken, cottage cheese, crackers with sliced cheese and tender beef jerky. Drinking is easier for me at work. I don't do floor work, just ICU, so I can keep my water bottle nearby. I don't know if this will help....the main thing is to not worry about it now, just wait and see how it goes. Take your water bottle and foods that you find "safe" for you after your surgery. Don't try new things at work. I HATE to throw up at work. Embarrassing! Good luck to you!
   — Mary G.

November 2, 2000
I am a Psych nurse but I just graduated in 1997 so I remember those days pretty clearly. I can keep a glass of water with me at the nurses station (that's where I am most of the time), but in nursing school I use to keep a small bottle of water with a lid in my lab coat pocket. That way I could get water to drink and not have to worry about where it was. I wasn't post op then but I have always drank a lot of water. As far as food, when I am at work I bring soup that I heat up in the microwave, or cracker with chicken salad I have even brought the tuna salad kits that have the tuna, mayo and crackers all in one kit. Also peanut butter and crackers. You'll find things you can tolerate that are easy to bring with you. Jeannette Shown RN
   — Jeannette S.