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?

it is difficult in healthcare to stay hydrated. Like Nurse Claudia, I too, keep a small bottle of water in my scrub jacket, also drink on the way to work and on the way home. If i waited until I could make it to the lounge I would be dehydrated for sure;).

Nurse here...staying hydrated is hard. I always have a bottle of water handy. I keep a protein shake in the fridge for after lunch. I make sure I have at least 16 oz of water before I leave for work, and try to drink 24 oz at least during work, and the balance I get in the evening.

I'm a psych nurse - so maybe a little more of a casual environment but in nursing school the rules were strict.

I usually take whoever I report to off to the side at the end of a day and inform them of my situation - not so they could bend the rules about when and where food is acceptable but to let them know that from time to time I may need to step away to get some Water. Food really shouldn't be an issue because we are really not supposed to be grazing through the day anyway but you do need to drink.

Thank you all for your tips!

I am an ICU nurse, since I have trouble getting enough fluids presurgery this was one thing I have been concerned about too. I am still in the prelim stages so I appreciate this topic being addressed.

I'm a nursing supervisor so I'm moving around a lot! I try to carry water or crystal lite with me at all times.v I was very open about my surgery with coworkers so they understand the importance of me having fluids all the time. I also make sure that if I'm at my desk or on break I'm taking very frequent sips.

I am a respiratory therapist in a very busy urban hospital. I always have an extra protein shake with me and I try to get a cup of water from the pantry every 30 mins if possible. When I work in the icu I make sure I go get a drink after seeing every other patient. I have gotten dehydrated before and has someone give me and iv before I went home and gave my self 3l but that was after a hellish 4 days in a row and having to stay the night for a hurricane. I have been very open about my surgery with everyone because then they are very understanding with my new needs. It's about putting your self first some times and saying I need a break. I found that concept very hard because I hate help but I force my self.