ER Nurse Looking For Support of Fellow Nurses

ChristinaCCRN
ChristinaCCRN Posts: 89 Member
in Motivation and Support
12 hours is a long shift and it's easy to work up an appetite. Unfortunately we may or may not get a lunch break and we may cram down whatever we can before we starve. How do you stay on track and fight urges? Please add me I could use friends for support because this is something I am struggling with. Thanks!

Replies

  • ImAwesome9216
    ImAwesome9216 Posts: 21
    I'm a fellow nurse. I work in research now, but I am a former ER nurse.
  • Shannon_PAC
    Shannon_PAC Posts: 24
    I'm not a nurse, sorry. But I am a PA and I do work 10 hour shifts where we actually do not get a true lunch break at all. We have to shove it in when we can. I feel for you!

    Is there a place you can keep portioned servings of things like trail mix, fruit, cheese, etc? That has helped me a lot. I go in a grab 3 cheese squares and apple slices and throw them down as I can. If you can prevent yourself from becoming too hungry (which is definitely a challenge), you'll likely be more successful in fighting your urges. I have noticed that having a big protein shake before work makes a huge difference in how I deal with all the food lying around in the break room. In fact, yesterday one of the nurses was trying to get me to eat her homemade crepes with Nutella that she brought in and I felt so bad because I kept saying no...I actually didn't want them because I was still satisfied from the large protein shake I had (30 grams of protein). For you it might be a different nutrient that shuts down your hunger, but for me, it's protein. When I have that shake, I feel like I can definitely navigate the break room without being assaulted from all the goodies!
  • ImAwesome9216
    ImAwesome9216 Posts: 21
    I have noticed that one of the difficulties of healthcare is that we are always exposed to goodies. No one brings in veggie trays, but they love to bring in the desserts that they learned how to make. I am not a sweets person, so I am able to control that for the most part, but cupcakes get me every time! I am not a snacker either and I also suck at eating lunch. Right now I am working 14-16 hours a day and I find that grabbing something small every few hours when at work is good for me. This helps me to not forget to eat completely and helps me to say no to cupcakes. For example, I try to grab something at least every five to six hours, such as an apple with peanut butter, Sun Chips, pretzels or something else small. I am not necessarily looking for something huge in nutrients as a snack, but something that has at least some value and the ability to make me feel full, so fiber is my main goal.

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