How does anyone do double shifts? I'm tired after 40 hours

[pinkiepieRN]

I just started a new job about a month ago, so I know I'm still getting into the swing of things, but I feel kind of silly for what's going on. I get 6-8 hours of sleep on work nights, I eat alright and do my best to manage my stress, but I feel dead to the world after my 4 shifts in a row (4 on, 2 off, 4 on, 1 off) that I have ended up taking a 2-3 hour nap shortly getting home after every string so far. I feel useless on my day off unless there's stuff I urgently have to do (laundry be damned!) so how is it that people pick up extra shifts and routinely do doubles? I know that some people have to do it for financial reasons but what I want to know is HOW? Is there some sort of magical trick that I'm missing?

[caseyuptonurse]

I find myself exhausted after my 3 12s. I also have a per diem job that I try to pick up a shift a week from. Honestly, I've always worked a ton of overtime but now that I'm a nurse I find it a lot more mentally demanding than my previous jobs and it exhausts me! Haha. Coffee never worked for me, I think I just mentally would force myself to get through the shift and look forward to the light at the end of the tunnel. Haha. I probably would pick up more OT though if my boyfriend didn't complain about me working too much. I was a workaholic before I met him and he's been slowly persuading me to slow down (hence why I only work one extra day a week now). I make enough as is so it's not a necessity but I always like that little extra money.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Sometimes you just have to. 2 days a week I work 14 hr days. I also work 3 more 9 hr days a week. I don't plan on doing this forever. Right now it keeps the lights on, food on the table, and a roof over our heads. Some days I am more tired than others.

[Jules A, MSN]

I have always worked several jobs and extra hours. I find if I am at different facilities it keeps my interest better than doing overtime at my main job. The biggest thing in my experience is a willingness to give up stuff other people aren't willing to give up. Family time, social events etc. When I was in my prime I could do 16h shifts a couple of times a week. Back then I worked, rested, and worked that was pretty much it. I'm not complaining though I made a nice chunk of money and am now starting to enjoy the fruits of my labor and have cut back to only about 45-50 hours a week.

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

45-50 ? Way to cut back Jules :)

[musiQsoulbrother]

wow, that takes alot of power , i am still trying to figure it out (nyc LPN from LTC world)

[Elliot.Kane]

Sometimes my shifts will be grouped from Thursday to Tuesday, so it's 6 12's in a row. Or I'll have a random day off in between that I'll choose to pick up an extra shift. I try to get my hours between 85-95 a pay period. A regular 72-hour-no-overtime paycheck feels weak.