Any other Nurses or 12 hour work people?

lacarka
lacarka Posts: 2 Member
edited October 7 in Introduce Yourself
Just wondering if any other nurses or 12 hour workers are out there. I am hoping to meet other people who are in the same situation and would want to share exercise ideas, recipes, or encouragement. I am determined to finally take this weight off and quit making excuses so the more, the merrier!
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Replies

  • errn08
    errn08 Posts: 17
    Hi,

    I am a Nurse at our region's Trauma Center in the ED. I work 12hr shifts 3-3:30, which I hate. I have been on this particular shift since March and notice a huge difference in my stress/mood/weight. I joined today and have been nervous about friends, posts, etc. on this because when I'm within my work schedule it seems all I can do to get myself to/from work with some amount of sleep and normalcy. So if this sounds similar and you are interested in a friend that will always think good thoughts for you but may not be the best at responding, friend me. (ps when I was 12hr day shift, I loved it. Both my life and myself were normal but I had to change jobs due to commute times and locations and am at the bottom of the shift bid ladder at the new one).
  • KCherry
    KCherry Posts: 61 Member
    I am in my last semester of nursing school. I will be joining the grind pretty soon. lol. :) Hopefully I can keep up. It burns calories though right?
  • its_sania
    its_sania Posts: 93 Member
    I'm a nurse too. I work 10 hour shifts but occasionally have to stay back if I can't get out of surgery on time. It is pretty exhausting but I think a change of diet and change of mindset has really helped me have more energy once I get home. I don't just sit on the couch for the rest of the evening after work anymore, well, at least not until I workout for a bit first ;-) I used to work night shifts and all I did was work, sleep, eat, work, sleep, eat... i put on a bit of weight during that time and I was always so tired - that work was definitely not good for my health!! So glad I got out of it.

    Welcome to MFP, I hope you get inspiration from all the success stories here! Good luck :)
  • bghere
    bghere Posts: 42
    No A nurse bu my typical workday is 12-14 hours. And to make it worse they are night time hours. For me the hardest part of eating healthy is this schedule. I try to make bulk foods alot. soups, stews etc, and being home made they are not processed,and infinitely better for you. my weakness for a quick in my face food source are making a quick sandwich. two piecs of processed bread, and some fatty meat. NOT a good approach. But I am trying to get better about it. I love to cook, so lemme know what you like
  • trolkeeper
    trolkeeper Posts: 127 Member
    I am a nurse and work 8 hours, but after 25 years 8 hours is 8 too many lol I am exhausted when I get home and never feel like making anything healthy. I will need serious motivation, looking forward to interacting with lots of new people. :)
  • Cheermamasita
    Cheermamasita Posts: 40 Member
    I'm a nurse, I work 10 hours, usually start my day @ 0500, but I think nursing is a "health sabotage". I've noticed that most nurses eat anything, "when they can"... I lost 17 lbs doing this last summer, injured my knee and lost my way, so I'm back; just started this week! (I've gained 5 of the 17 lbs back)
    The most sucessful I have been is when I plan ahead. A nutritionist told me to plan my meals the day before; then pack the food for the day; the day or nite before. It really works, if I logged my food in the nite before, it was easy to "follow the plan". If for some reason I changed plans, I would just change my food log. I am starting to do this now too, it is helping so far. Just "projecting" what I will eat tomorrow is the first step in my plan. Also, you need to plan your meals/menu every week and have the food you need at home an avaliable. I use the internet to look up healthy and simple recipes. Lastly, I try to portion out what I will eat, eat it and get away from the "eating" area, otherwise I am tempted to eat more. It seems my brain is delayed in realizing my belly is full! After about 30 min. I realize I am full, so my challege is to "wait it out". Good Luck to you, don't give up, lots of stories to read on this site, and so many sucess stories to encourage you on the way!
  • errn08
    errn08 Posts: 17
    Welcome to Nursing!! Congratulations on being close to finishing school, it is a huge accomplishment!!
  • errn08
    errn08 Posts: 17
    I agree. I do better if I plan ahead and bring my meals. Being swing shift there are always treats that the day shift has brought in and then new ones for the night. Our hospital is notorious for not getting us breaks in our 12hr shift so we tend to grab whatever is on the table...so not good!! When I'm stressed and hungry...will power is not on the top of my list. Hoping to change that!
  • errn08
    errn08 Posts: 17
    .
  • ichorica
    ichorica Posts: 475 Member
    I'm a nurse as well 12 hour shifts 7pm-7am. Im trying to lose at least 50 lbs.
  • watch_me_lose
    watch_me_lose Posts: 1 Member
    I just graduated and am starting a new position at the end of Jan. I'm hoping that I will be able to make healthy food choices, and have enough time to exercise like I am planning.

    Cheers!
  • its_sania
    its_sania Posts: 93 Member
    I don't know what it's like elsewhere, but at my work there's a pretty good social atmosphere too. We even have a bar at the hospital's social clubroom! Not to mention that we're right in the city and have severals bars and restaurants on our doorstep. So not only is it a challenge to eat healthy at work, we have a lot of social events that include eating out and having a few drinks - especially at this time of year with xmas + the doctors end of term goodbye parties. You'd think that being health professionals we'd know better but I kind of have the feeling we're the worst offenders?
  • pinksweaterchic
    pinksweaterchic Posts: 1
    I'm a nurse, I'm PRN but I work full time hours but I make my own schedule, I work 12's pretty often. I'm trying to lose about 29 pounds, it's definitely hard for me to eat right and not stress eat when working 12 hr shifts. I do nights. Welcome to MFP!
  • swan0309
    swan0309 Posts: 3
    I am also a RN. I work 12 hours rotating from day and night shifts. I just think planning ahead is the most important thing to do. bring little snacks like almonds, celery, carrots and hummus, yogurt, fruit. stuff than you can sit down for five to ten mins and eat. I find that even on my hectic days, I can usually get in a couple of short snack times. and as for all the candy, donuts, bagels, etc. that always seem to be at work. STAY AWAY FROM IT! will power, it is tough but it really is mind over matter. a lot of the time we eat that stuff just because we are board or we didn't plan ahead. I am hoping to make a lifestyle change here. after all we should be setting the example of a healthy lifestyle for our patients. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!
  • chocolateandvodka
    chocolateandvodka Posts: 1,850 Member
    not a nurse, but i work 12-14 hr shifts at a hospital ER.

    count me in!
  • twiztedgrl69
    twiztedgrl69 Posts: 191 Member
    I'm not a nurse...but I'm a 911 dispatcher and work 12 hour night shifts...it's rough but bringing my lunch and taking time here and there to use my walking video really helps me
  • kim_mc
    kim_mc Posts: 321 Member
    I'm a nurse. I work 12 hr nights. 7p-7a. I find it really hard to find the time to get my workouts done after working and having to go back in that same night? I have 3 kids that take a lot of energy too!
    I sleep when I get home and then I have to pick up my children right away and get ready to go back in again! It is a constant struggle to find the time to workout on these days. Right now I am just forcing myself to get it done but feel like I'm missing out on seeing the kids for the little while I have before going back into work. I have forced myself to do the work before, but I get burned out quickly!
    It is a lot less stressful when I don't have to try to cram the workout in on the days I work.....
    Ideas anyone???
  • coppers2002
    coppers2002 Posts: 25
    Also not a nurse, but work 12 hour shifts (911 dispatcher) rotating 7pm-7am, and 7am-7pm....
    New to this website, and slowly making LOTS of changes in my life. Want to get healthy this year!
  • bonjour24
    bonjour24 Posts: 1,119 Member
    i'm a nurse too, and my shifts range between 10 to 15 hours.

    i have learned that getting up at 0430hrs to get a run in before my early shift starts at 7am is totally doable sometimes. as is running home from work (10 miles) sometimes. i also know that if you're not up to it, that it's not the end of the world if you give it a miss.

    i have learned that doing a small food shop for work, and keeping healthy foods at work is helpful- makes sure that i eat regularly and that i eat right. i also ensure that i limit my coffee intake to about 3 cups a day, and try and drink a ton of water- if nothing else a full bladder means i stay awake!

    and the most important lesson i have learned is that i am my own worst enemy. i didn't prioritise working out, and instead convinced myself that i'd been working so hard and deserved a day off (usually watching movies and feeding my face). these days off rolled into each other, and before i knew it i was at work again and had achieved nothing. i can tell you that since i've been working out i have so much more energy than i had before, so i'm not as exhausted on my days off as i was. i sleep better (regardless of my shift), and i'm less grumpy to be around.

    the other thing is to make sure you take your breaks. smokers sneak off for 15 mins every few hours- you should make sure you all get the same fair amount of breaks too. don't work through lunch because you're too busy to eat- prioritise yourself and eat a meal. and don't eat it at the desk- go somewhere more peaceful where you actually get to get away.

    shifts suck. but i find that i look at my shifts at the beginning of the week and work out when i'm going to fit in my exercise. then i write it in like appointments, and i make sure that i do it.

    good luck. i hope you all find what works for you.

    ETA-i also have 3 kids under 5, and sometimes it does feel like i'm prioritising the wrong thing. it's a difficult balance to maintain. if i'm on lates or nights, i'll often just spend the morning giving quality time to the kids, then leave for work 1 1/2 hrs early and do my workout immediately prior to work. but we do have showers where i work, and my workouts are generally running.
  • christylynnrn
    christylynnrn Posts: 32 Member
    I'm an RN also. I work nights 7p-7a 4-5 nights a week in the ICU, ER, or Med-surg mostly. I agree one of the hardest things is eating properly. I usually take at least one of my days off to make meals and store them in individual serving size containers so I can easily take them to work. I also have trouble getting my workouts in. On weeks where I end up working 60(+) hours I am just sooo tired....but I usually just tell myself this is important, and no, that walking you did last night at work does not count as your workout :) Feel free to friend me :happy:
  • burrell757
    burrell757 Posts: 3 Member
    Hi all.. I'm a nursing student on the way to my RN graduating this year and l also work 12hr shifts 7p - 7a ... Difficult to function normally on this schedule. I've been gaining weight due to stress and eating on the run but I'm determined to change that now! My goal is to lose about 40 lbs by summer, so far I've lost 7lbs in 2 weeks. Doing this by counting calories and cardio 5-6 times a week. I hope to stay motivated by using MFP and keeping in touch with others who have similar goals!! Good luck to everyone
  • newkate1234
    newkate1234 Posts: 10
    Hi
    I am a trauma and bereavement counsellor at a large hospital. I have only just started here and used to work in another area of health, ( still trauma). Its hard to take meal breaks when you work in a hospital setting and then its hard to eat the healthy stuff. I know I comfort eat but I am feeling positive now that I have changed jobs and work with a supportive team.
    I have about 20kg to lose but I am aiming to go overseas in six months so really want to be looking and feeling better.
    I was quite depressed in my old job but now I feel positive that things can change.
    Good luck with your journey and keep in touch. I am just figuring out some menues but stirfiry seems to be my thing at the moments with lots of vegies. I steam the vegies and maranaide the meat in ginger, garlic and soy sauce. I just add the vegies at the last minuet but I don't use any oil at all. I like lots of ginger in it.
    Keep going, you can do it!
    Kate
  • ativanprn2006
    ativanprn2006 Posts: 2
    i am 12 hour nights 7-7 at Reading hosptial in LDRP. Loving it! so much so i just had my 4th child 3 months ago (we make the best patients). now i need to loose the baby weight x 4
  • giggles7706
    giggles7706 Posts: 1,491 Member
    I'm not a nurse but I'm a CNA at a geri-psych unit and I work 12 hour shifts 7p-7:30a 3 days a week. Been doing it for 3 and a half years. It's so challenging to eat right and exercise because I tend to snack more when I'm at work and the exercise part...It's either exercise right when I get home when I'm dead on my feet or wake up earlier to squeeze it in when I work my nights in a row. It's a learning experience and I'm slowly getting there. I still have about 50 pounds I'd like to lose, I find that it's better for me personally to just not exercise on the days I work. Less stress on me from worrying about squeezing it in but I still feel guilty if I don't exercise so sometimes I do it anyway. The idea of looking ahead and scheduling workouts is a great idea! Definitely gonna have to put that one to use. I also have 2 children , a 4 year old and a 6 month old. Feel free to add me! :)
  • PST0622
    PST0622 Posts: 115
    RN here!!!! I work 12 hour shifts on the weekends...and that is when I fall off track most often!!! Anyway, I have plenty of support for you if you need it!!
  • Lp80
    Lp80 Posts: 29
    Hiya! I do night and day 12.5 hr shifts! Nights are horrid and my unit is so busy!! Plan plan and plan again is how I manage it. And I exercise on my days off :)
  • jquick823
    jquick823 Posts: 7
    Not a nurse but I work about 14 hours a day in a 3 on 1 day off schedule. I exercise 5-6 days a week and have a limited healthy food selection as all food is provided for me.
  • sailorpizza
    sailorpizza Posts: 1
    Howdy all you nurses and 12hr workers out there. I have wondered the same thing about long shifts and exercising. I can't say that I have a fancy job, but I do work ALOT of hours. I own two pizza restaurants. I am often at my stores one or the other or both from open to close 8am to 10pm. Not all days, an 8 hour shift has become my new day off. Problem I face is , I'm sooo tired on my off time, how do I start to fit in exercise? How is being on my feet working for 14 hours without a break NOT exercise? I do stay away from the pizza, I have a lovely salad bar, and I recently dropped the soda pop, but the pounds are not comming off easy, and I still have to manage my family and housework (we won't discuss the housework) Right now I'm sitting here Legs aching, arms aching and I have another very long day ahead of me. Exercise is the last thing I want to do right now.
  • brentlightle
    brentlightle Posts: 1
    This website is very helpful in seeing exactly what you put in what you take away from excercise. Salads "can" be healthy, the greens and vegetables are very healthy but then we typically smother them in fattening dressings because we need "flavor". Take a look at most salad dressings and you will honestly be shocked at what you are actually putting in. A good rule of thumb is the thinner the dressing or the more translucent ( see through ) it is the better. Portion of the salad dressing also. And if pounds are coming off slowly that is still better than the pounds just sitting there, or adding. I keep lots of 100 calorie pack types of snacks at my work./ This has truly helped. Just 1 every 2-3 hours really helps me stay low on calories but full in tummy. =)
  • bigsicklittlesick
    bigsicklittlesick Posts: 55 Member
    Hi everyone! I work 12 hour nights in the ER. I'm an LPN and in school for my RN. I used MFP in the past and I was very successful--MFP food tracking, hard work, and heavy lifting got me down to a size 2. I got off track when I started school, so here I am again! I'm a little busy at the moment but I wanted to get in on this thread... I don't have any "friends" since I started a new account. Feel free to send me a request!!! I will come back and read through this later. :drinker:

    Edit: I just noticed this is an old thread.....ha
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