For all the nurses, doctors, and medical students!

[Puja 148]

I'm a medical student that will be applying for residency at the end of this year. I was wondering how all the nurses and doctors on this board manage their eating and drinking routines while working?

If there are any medical students here, how did you manage taking the USMLE board exams? How did you plan your food and drink with the short break periods?

[Nurse Claudia 3]

I'm an OR nurse and worried about my Fluid intake so much. To be completely honest, it continues to be a struggle. I keep a bottle of Water in one jacket pocket and a healthy snack in the other. Any chance you get hydrate!! If I can do, it so can you! Good luck!

[Puja 148]

Thank you, Nurse Claudia! I can't imagine how you are able to take time out to eat and drink while in the OR!

Do you find yourself with 15 to 20 minutes for actual meals, or do you have a bite whenever you get a chance?

[Nurse Claudia 3]

I have one 30 minute lunch break, but in between cases and any chance I get, I will hydrate first. Then any chance I get, I will try to eat something with Protein in it. Sometimes it just takes a little extra effort and planning on my part. My meals and Snacks are usually planned way ahead of time.

[JennCH 19]

I am a physician, but in my office I can sip all day. What are you planning on specializing. Depending on the specialty, I think it would have been difficult as a resident or fellow, but keeping a water bottle in your pocket like Claudia suggested is doable. Premixed shakes are also very easy to carry and keep in the residents lounge fridge. I remember as a med student the ortho and surgery residents would always order extra ensure shakes for their patients so they could snag them on rounds. Unless you are in an uber competitive residency, I suspect your peers will be supportive. I know mine were when I got diagnosed with lupus as an intern. In my mind, obesity is as much of a disease as the lupus is.

[Puja 148]

Thank you, Jenn! I'm planning on applying into Family Medicine, most likely in a rural or under-served area. I've gotten really good at planning out my meals, since I pack food for the whole day while I am at the library, but most of it requires being eaten with a spoon.

I've given up artificial foods like Protein powders, but do make my own Protein Bars that I can keep in my pocket. I could probably keep string cheese in my pocket, too.

I can't imagine how it would have been for you to be diagnosed with Lupus, while doing your internship! Thanks for your advice!

[JennCH 19]

PM me and I can give you a lot more information about things. And I'll tell you that it is really easy to confuse the exhaustion of internship with the fevers from taking care of sick kids and the all over joint aches with just being an intern. My mom made an appt at the drs office and picked me up from the hospital and took me. Even called the program secretary and asked her to make sure I was at the front door at the exact time.

I really think it is doable

[Puja 148]

I've sent you a message, thank you!

I've only just realized that you are a little over a month out. Congratulations!

[Misty_eyes 79]

Hi Puja,

I'm a nurse in the ICu in a teaching hospital and residents carry Water bottle, coke, coffee, red bull, fluids (you name it-except alcohol I hope) all the time... They leave their lunch boxes in the breakroom, store food in the fridge, eat and drink all the time, so it shouldn't be an issue for you I hope. Good luck on your residency and cheers to fluids!

[mopsiee 2]

I'm an ICU nurse in a very busy surgical/trauma/burn unit. It can be difficult to get all of my fluids in. Some days I only end up peeing once. Horrible, I know!! My nurse manager has a very strict rule about no food or drink outside of the break room. So most of the time, I try to run and sip some Water in between tasks. Its doable, but can be hard. Sometimes our burn dressings can't last up to two hours. It's easier on night shift though. No management around so I can sneak my water onto the unit and drink while I chart.

[Puja 148]

Misty_eyes and Mopsiee, both your responses are so different!

I sincerely hope that my residency experience is more like what Misty_eyes describes.

Mopsiee, does your manager know about your surgery? I can't imagine drinking so little that I only pee once! I would be so irritated by the end of the day.

[Nurse Claudia 3]

I would be totally open about my surgery, and explain that you need to get away a few times to replenish. People are more forgiving when they know your story. We have a diabetic surgeon who has to leave occasionally to check his blood sugar and eat. I'm sure they'll understand a few extra runs to drink and eat. Just remember to be patient and extra helpful. All will be forgiven! We love helpful residents, and don't bother with small details like that!

[vampsy 29]

Ok, I'm none of the above

I'm a phlebotomist

Running between rooms for draws has me keeping a water bottle in my cargo scrubs pocket. No food or drinks allowed in the lab makes it a challenge so I load up on Proteins during my breaks. I'm a year out and because of my job I do struggle getting in my liquids but I manage.

[orthoman 114]

I'm an orthopedic surgeon and I didn't operate for two weeks postoperative. I just get my fluids in between cases because we have a good doctors lounge very close to the surgery area so food and liquids have never been far away...

[mopsiee 2]

Misty_eyes and Mopsiee' date=' both your responses are so different!

I sincerely hope that my residency experience is more like what Misty_eyes describes.

Mopsiee, does your manager know about your surgery? I can't imagine drinking so little that I only pee once! I would be so irritated by the end of the day.[/quote']

My manager does know about my surgery, but my coworkers don't. I try to hydrate as much as possible before and after work and on my break, but sometimes I don't get a break until 8-9 hours into my shift. Also, it's hard because you can only drink so little. Before, I could just gulp 2 bottles of Water to stay hydrated. It's not often that I only pee once, so I guess it's okay. Still trying to find a good system that works for me!