Any Nurses Out There?

I am looking for some buddies to share accountability and motivation! I am Tiffany, 31y, and a night shift ICU nurse. My biggest challenge is eating right at work, and making time for regular exercise. Its so hard at work to be able to eat healthy. There are always temptations, and when you are on your feet rushing around all night, its so easy to just grab what is around because you dont have time to sit down to eat a proper meal! Im trying to be better, I started logging all of my intake and exercise... but I long for the days I used to work 9-5 and would just go to the gym on my way home every day!
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Replies

  • lunglady
    lunglady Posts: 526 Member
    I'm not a nurse, but I'm an ICU doc. Does that count?
  • Does 3 months away from getting my RN degree count?...lol I graduate May 18th!!! That is one of the reasons I am here. I can't be a fat nurse and tell people to eat healthy know what I mean? I am on here everyday so add me if you'd like.
  • marjoleina
    marjoleina Posts: 189 Member
    I am a surgical (trauma) ICU nurse, work 12 hrs days. Add me if you like!
  • bridgetzc
    bridgetzc Posts: 15 Member
    I am Pediatric RN and I am 27. Add me if you want. I am looking for friends for motivation.
  • missourinurse
    missourinurse Posts: 45 Member
    I am a night shift nurse. Med/Surg, Skilled, ICU, L & D, Home Health and now Geriatrics.......
  • sanalupe
    sanalupe Posts: 47 Member
    I am working nights too. The problem is this is mainly an office job and not walking a lot. Since I do night shifts, 18 months ago, I put on over 2 stones and my health gone downhill, I had major digestive problems. You can add me if you want, I can give you tips on how to adjust to night shift eating healthy so you stay away from unhealthy foods.
    Before I started this job, I was a carer, so I was on my feet all night, did not have breaks or eat properly. I somehow managed to work out with my colleagues how to get the breaks and 20 min rest break every 6 hours.
    You are not alone in this :)
  • mookiecrone
    mookiecrone Posts: 1 Member
    I am an ER nurse and in the same boat. It's always busy and don't get the time to take breaks or a lunch break. It's so easy to pick up whatever is just laying around. I have just gotten in a habit of bringing healthy things to nibble on throughout the day. Not ideal but it has helped.
  • Livingdeadnurse
    Livingdeadnurse Posts: 140 Member
    Er Night shift nurse. Always pack your lunch. I pack alot of small healthy items. On those busy days...i can pop grapes, carrots or even a granola bar. Special K makes some great ones. I have been guilty of eating on the run. But it helps to plan ahead to avoid the snack machine. The only weakness I have is when someone makes a dunkin donut run. :(

    Add me if you want. Always looking for positive people
  • CAS317
    CAS317 Posts: 267 Member
    Hey! I'm an RN on NOC's. I log regularly and have been on a workout kick. I work PRN as an ED RN and work 0.9 FTE in an office position. This office job has really taken a toll on my calories burnt. Feel free to add me if you would like!
  • alison590
    alison590 Posts: 61
    I'm a 30 year old RN from Canada. add me too!
  • SusanleeBee
    SusanleeBee Posts: 144 Member
    I'm not a nurse, but my husband is, and I keep the same night schedule that he does, so maybe that applies? Feel free to friend me, and I'll send him over here too!
  • sgsill
    sgsill Posts: 9
    I've been a night nurse for about 4 years now. But, have worked the night shift for almost 8 years. feel free to add me.
  • krazyforyou
    krazyforyou Posts: 1,428 Member
    15 years of med surg, pccu, and icu, not ib gereatrics and love it Add me if you like
  • Woolified
    Woolified Posts: 65 Member
    I do rotating 12 hr shifts 7p-7a and 7a-7p in the ICU/SICU. I am a nurse, feel free to add me if you'd like.... seems we face many of the same challenges!
  • mamabear0109
    mamabear0109 Posts: 1 Member
    RN, 12-hour nights cardiac ICU and cardiac cath lab receiving/recovery. Have worked nights for over 25 years. Tracking things on MyFitnessPal seems to help. I'm down 9 pounds since April 1st. (yay me!)
  • dedicated2014
    dedicated2014 Posts: 36 Member
    I'm a nursing student as well. Does that count? :)
  • workaholic_nurse
    workaholic_nurse Posts: 727 Member
    LPN who works 7days a week, days M-Th nights Th-Mon. Day job is allergy/asthma nurse, nights is homecare. Feel free to add me!
  • FussBucket
    FussBucket Posts: 29
    I'm not a nurse, but I'm an ICU doc. Does that count?


    That counts. :)
  • rai8759
    rai8759 Posts: 296 Member
    I'm a Labor and Delivery Nurse. I'm technically we-op, but I pick up extra days. I work 12 hour shifts, and I find it very difficult to control my eating at night!!! If I haven't slept all day and I'm staying up all night... all I want is sugar and carbs.
  • Bonella
    Bonella Posts: 77 Member
    I'm a night shift NICU nurse and been working nights for a lot of years. I recently joined our new Planet Fitness and have been working out at least 4 times a week. I pack my food to take to work with me and avoid the cafeteria at night. I also drink water at work and have cut done from 4 sodas a shift to one at the most, but most nights I don't drink any. I'm a little older than most of you on here, so weight comes off a bit slower these days, but it is coming off.
  • kimad
    kimad Posts: 3,010 Member
    I work in maternity/women's health, I am in Canada!
  • FussBucket
    FussBucket Posts: 29
    I am looking for some buddies to share accountability and motivation! I am Tiffany, 31y, and a night shift ICU nurse. My biggest challenge is eating right at work, and making time for regular exercise. Its so hard at work to be able to eat healthy. There are always temptations, and when you are on your feet rushing around all night, its so easy to just grab what is around because you dont have time to sit down to eat a proper meal! Im trying to be better, I started logging all of my intake and exercise... but I long for the days I used to work 9-5 and would just go to the gym on my way home every day!

    The gym opens at 5 AM..... You can STILL go after work. I worked nights in ICU for many years. Pack all your food. Every snack and meal. Come up with a plan and pack it all and then do your best to time your meals at night like you would during the day. That worked for me....
  • tennileb
    tennileb Posts: 265 Member
    I'm a Canadian Public Health Nurse, I rarely get time to pee let alone eat in between clients, trying to get more healthy real food that are grab and go friendly :)
  • Peanutbutterx
    Peanutbutterx Posts: 332
    just finished my pre requisites and applying for the nursing program in the fall. add me if you want : )
  • thenfacetoface
    thenfacetoface Posts: 10 Member
    I'm a new grad ICU RN, soon to start working on nights :)
  • chellern3
    chellern3 Posts: 1 Member
    Been a RN for 13 years and about 10 of them on nights. Eating right has always been a challenge. Along with getting enough sleep and exercising. Single mother of three hard to fit everything in. I too pack my lunch and snacks. Protein bars, protein drinks and pre bagged portion sizes of my favorite low cal crackers, chips and snacks. Helps to have good stuff avail when you are busy. I try to walk almost every day and if I get a down min at work I take a few trips up and down the stairs. Lol. 20 pounds down so far, I think I am on the right track. Good luck!
  • suecan2
    suecan2 Posts: 45
    night shifter here also - 10 years next month!! PCCU & cardiac. love my night shifter peeps I work with, but dang, when I wake at 300pm, I can end up eating 800 cal in that 2 hour span before heading back in! if I could just get motivated to workout in that hour.... then, on those crazy busy nights (we know are more often than not)... I eat whatever---empty, fattening calories. and then thinking of a workout after those nights. ugh!! its beginning to turn around, but still have many tough days.
  • maoribadger
    maoribadger Posts: 1,837 Member
    Night shifter and Emergency Nurse here. Spent today ignoring all the chox in the Minors unit. Feel free to add me (any of you)
  • bunnymum150
    bunnymum150 Posts: 311
    another nurse - have worked all shifts over the years. I am also a certified diabetes educator and not working in nurse case management for an insurance company.

    I loved the suggestions of another - about packing foods/snacks:smile:

    One of our Canadian friends mentioned rarely even being able to pee, let alone eat b/t clients. Be careful of that bladder

    Welcome lunglady doc:heart:
  • VBnotbitter
    VBnotbitter Posts: 820 Member
    Emergency and crit care nurse here now working as nurse educator. Happy International Nurses Day for next Sunday everybody