NOC shift workers or other nurses!

Danielle7983
Danielle7983 Posts: 2 Member
edited January 11 in Motivation and Support
I've been on NOC shift for just over a year now, I'm a pediatric nurse working the dreaded 10pm-6am shift. I know there are a bunch of added stresses to losing weight when you work nights and also just nursing in general I'm looking for other people's ideas to deal with these added stresses!

How do you deal with insomnia or constant unending exhaustion?
I honestly don't have time to eat at work...?
I can't force myself to eat when I get up at 8pm (or other unreasonable hour)?

These are just a few of my issues, there are a billion more any night worker or nurse knows...

Replies

  • Danielle7983
    Danielle7983 Posts: 2 Member
    Also, friend me if you face these same issues! I'm looking for more friends to keep me accountable!!!!!
  • radioraven
    radioraven Posts: 89 Member
    My life is 11p-7a...and I'm a mom to a 4 & 6 year old. I've been doing this for 8 years off and on.

    I'm also on the most hellish sleep schedule ever. 4-5 hours in the evening only when DH comes home from work.

    Insomnia: When I know I have to go to bed and sleep, I put pajamas on. No matter what time of day it is. I will also take melatonex if I've been more wired than normal for the day. If I can take a morning nap, I put foam and blankets over the windows so its dark.

    I don't let my mind race or think about anything since I'll be up all night to ponder the great questions of life!

    I'm surrounded by food, so my biggest challenge is trying to not taste everything in sight. I prepare meals, bake, and supervise "the house" at a homeless shelter.

    If I'm not hungry when I get up at 10pm, I know I will be an hour later. Its like clockwork. I usually have something quick, a bite of something, whether it be a banana, honey and cinnamon mixed together, or a leftover bite of hubby's dinner. You need to eat something so you have energy all night.

    Hopefully this helps a little?
  • rnctipton
    rnctipton Posts: 134 Member
    I am a nurse who works six 12 hour night shifts in a row, then have eight off. I have done this for 12 years now. It used to be easier to sleep all day. Now I find myself waking up around noon most days and tossing and turning the rest of the afternoon. Generally after doing that for four in a row I sleep really well on day five. I think it really helps to have those eight off. I waste a whole day sleeping day and night after my stretch, then start a day routine (If you can call getting up at 1100 daily a day routine). I've never been a morning person! I eat a big meal in the afternoon when I get up and usually take leftovers to eat as my lunch during the night. Then something lighter for breakfast shortly before going home. (Actually, I'm a supervisor, so most nights I have more time than the staff nurses to actually eat.) Oh, I also try to do my workout right when I get up, before dinner and work. My days off are not so well structured and I usually only eat two meals on those days, many of them out at restaurants.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories