So tired! Do we get used to it?

1. 0 We are doing 10 hr clinicals this semester, and by the time I get home I am so exhausted! It's only one day a week, so it's not bad, but do we get used to the long days once we start working? I go to bed about 9-10 and sleep till 9 or so the next day!

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2. 9 Comments

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3. 
   #1 0

   Feb 3, '13 by Orange Tree

   I haven't! I need two days to recover for every two days of work. I sleep on my first day off and sit around on my second day off. If I have three days off in a row, I might do something fun or productive on the third day.
4. 
   #2 0

   Feb 3, '13 by NurseRies, BSN

   Quote from Orange Tree

   I haven't! I need two days to recover for every two days of work. I sleep on my first day off and sit around on my second day off. If I have three days off in a row, I might do something fun or productive on the third day.

   This sounds crazy... But I have felt the exact same way you are feeling, especially in nursing school. I slept in until noon the next day. The best thing that ever happened to me was discovering the importance of fitness! Once I started running, working out, and eating healthy, I slept better at night, I lasted longer during the day, and I didn't get as tired. If you want to take care of other people, you have to take care of yourself!! Excuses simply won't cut it anymore. Caffeine isn't a realistic, long term, healthy option. I never worked out a day in my life until I was actually a working RN. It can be done.
5. 
   #3 1

   Feb 3, '13 by TheCommuter, BSN, RN Senior Moderator

   Now that I've been exposed to longer shifts, there's no way I could go back to shorter shifts. Since I want more days off per week, I'll take my longer shifts (12 hour shifts or 16 hour shifts) anytime.
   
   Five 8 hour shifts per week = only 2 days off
   Three 12 hour shifts = 4 days off per week
   Two 16 hour shifts = a whopping 5 days off per week!
6. 
   #4 1

   Feb 3, '13 by dah doh

   You eventually get used to it. I enjoy my 4 days off per week every week. I like that can do stuff like appointments and shopping during the week when it's less crowded. I don't think I could go back working 8 hr m-f only.
7. 
   #5 0

   Feb 4, '13 by NightNerd, ASN, RN

   I have gotten used to it. Like others said, the four days off every week makes a pretty nice incentive. I still come home pretty tired and am definitely not in the mood to go out or socialize afterward (serious introvert here), but after a good night's sleep I am ready to go the next day. I could get up earlier than my usual 8am or so on my days off if I had to, but...why?
8. 
   #6 0

   Feb 4, '13 by KelRN215, BSN, RN

   I felt very used to it when I worked in the hospital but now that I don't... I wouldn't ever go back.
   
   With 12 hr shifts, I was waking up at 5:15 am and out the door by 5:50 am to take 2 buses to the hospital. I was lucky if I left by 7:45pm and then I'd be getting home between 8:30-9:00pm. There was no option to sleep 10+ hrs at night because I had to wake up and do it all again the next day.
   
   I work more days now and more hours but I have more time to myself. I have time every evening after 4:30 to do errands, go to the gym or have dinner with friends. I rarely work on the weekends and when I do, it's only to see a couple patients.
9. 
   #7 0

   Feb 4, '13 by springchick1, ADN

   You get used to it. I work Monday through Friday 6:00-2:30 and two of those days I work late. Then I have clinicals on Saturday. After a while you get used to not sleeping.
10. 
    #8 0

    Feb 4, '13 by nurseprnRN

    Quote from TheCommuter

    Now that I've been exposed to longer shifts, there's no way I could go back to shorter shifts. Since I want more days off per week, I'll take my longer shifts (12 hour shifts or 16 hour shifts) anytime.
    
    Five 8 hour shifts per week = only 2 days off
    Three 12 hour shifts = 4 days off per week
    Two 16 hour shifts = a whopping 5 days off per week!

    O try this: Eight hour shifts: all afternoon and evening off every day. No exhaustion to cut into one of those "extra" days off. I hate 12s and 16s unless they're OT and time-and-a-half or double time, and they are what I feel like that day.
11. 
    #9 0

    Feb 5, '13 by rubato

    We started 12s this semester in clinicals. I love it! I have a whole extra day to study that my fellow students don't. Of course, yes, I'm exhausted at the end of the day, but mostly, I'm completely dehydrated. I'm going to have to find a way to get a drink during the day.

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