need ideas for nights off

Nurses General Nursing

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ok so I've just started working night shift and I don't know what to on my nights off. I need a hobby or something that will fill the hrs between 12am-6am. Any suggestions??????

Specializes in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.
Three words: World of Warcraft! Yes I am a nerd.

Haha. :) Call of Duty here!

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Specializes in Trauma/Tele/Surgery/SICU.

I love cooking. For me batch cooking was a great way to spend my time and my family certainly benefitted from the practice. Takes a great deal of planning to make a months worth of meals in a couple of nights. And can I just say what a lifesaver it was to wake up at 4:00 p.m. and just pop a pre-made casserole into the oven and voila...dinner for a family of four! No fast food and semi-healthy.

Get a DVR!!! That way you can keep up with your favorite shows at night. I did a lot of reading, cleaning, found a couple midnight buddies one of whom I would meet up at the local Denny's or 24 hour Starbucks to bs with. It was nice to have a couple of friends to call at 2 a.m. Pogo and King.com have some fun little games you could wile away the hours with. I know many midnighters who took up World of Warcraft, Call of Duty etc. The 24 hour gym is a fabulous idea, workout, get healthy, and meet up with other night owls to network with.

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ok so I've just started working night shift and I don't know what to on my nights off. I need a hobby or something that will fill the hrs between 12am-6am. Any suggestions??????

Find a 24 Hour Fitness or Anytime Fitness. Start running at the football field or some other secured, illuminated facility.

Back when I first started out in law enforcement I worked 12 hour nights. I'd wake up around 1400, go to the gym, lift weights, shower, eat, chill around the house, go to work, eat some more, be at work, get off work at 0600, be showered and in bed by 0645 and repeat. On my off days I'd run at night usually around midnight. I haven't worked nights since 2007 though. :D

You might also think of taking some online courses towards a higher degree if you're interested. You won't have to worry about distractions because there aren't any at that time of day. Even tv is littered with nothing but infomercials.

When I move into nursing I hope I get a 12 hour night job because less people are around. In my neck of the woods, they work around 3-4 nights a week (or alternate that) in the ER, and right now that's probably the only environment I'd work in or find myself going back to the police car. It seems like some of the most carefree parts of my life were spent working nights.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Three words: World of Warcraft! Yes I am a nerd.

When I worked 8p-8a, on my nights off I'd catch up on Final Fantasy :)

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For me the off nights were the hardest, because I didnt want to wake up my spouse and I didnt want to sit on the couch. I took to cooking for the week, cleaning and doing laundry. It was difficult cuz I couldnt do anything loud or that required passing through the bedroom.

I am new to the area, so I really did not feel safe out alone at night. I tried the gym, and it was ok inside, but outside there were some creepers so be safe!

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

That's a brilliant idea - video games. I may not have gone to "bed" so early on my nights off if I had been playing some sort of video game, but (this is going to sound funny) I just don't have the attention span for video games. Or at least the patience. ;) *makes a mental note to pick up the Wii-mote more often and play "Donkey Kong Country: Returns*

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As a general rule- I'd listen to the gym, walking and biking suggestions more than the Netflix and junk food suggestions.

You goodie goodie *rolls eyes*

*I* suggest beer :p

Actually I cook new & exotic recipes. Rarely disappointed!

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

Netflix and I are best friends. I've watched so many tv series from start to finish already! World of Warcraft, soooooo looking forward to graduating and spending my nights off staying up playing all night again! I just joined the 24/7 hospital gym so once it's a little warmer, I can definitely see going there at midnight or something. And reading, love reading but sometimes it's hard to stay awake when reading at like 3am.

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I am new to the area, so I really did not feel safe out alone at night. I tried the gym, and it was ok inside, but outside there were some creepers so be safe!

Ever think of getting a handgun?

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Specializes in PACU.

When I used to work nights I used to work out and then watch TV series on DVD (yay for Netflix). It's nice to watch some TV or movies during the 0400-0800ish period to get ready for bed. I also spent a lot of time on the internet.

I like the cooking suggestions, though if I had done that I would've probably eaten way too much and ended up really fat.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I went back for my BSN, which is mostly online. So on my "nights" off, I read my books, do homework. Etc. It definitely helps. It's amazing how much free time you have when you're on an opposite schedule from most people. :)

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

No doubt the GYM is the answer, in addition, get up to date with e-mails and hang out with friends that you haven't seeing for a while, or volunteer, do some of the things that you been meaning to do around your home like painting a room, the choice is up to you, whatever it is enjoy your time off:redbeathe

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