Can you "look good" as a nurse?

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 15, 2010

I Have no excuse not to be physically fit. I don't work out as much as I should and eat whatever I want. So yes its possible.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 15, 2010

I've physically active for the last 25 years. During nursing school, during 8-hour day and night shifts, and 12-hour day and night shifts.

It's all about priorities. Physically fit people no matter what shift they work, how many kids they have, make the time. Yes, we're tired, yes we have families, and yes too many of us don't take care of ourselves, it's not just a nursing phenomenon but an American problem.

Acarter2618 · May 15, 2010

Everyone is different. It can still be done but for people who devote their lives to helping others sometimes they forget about themselves. I think we know better than anyone how important it is to take care of ourselves. I don't think it is "whining" maybe some people just need encouragement.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · May 15, 2010

Is it possible to be a fit nurse (doing 12 hour shifts)?
How do you combat that?
Can you be physically healthy and mentally happy? In general, of course you will have the bad days.
And can you age well as a nurse, even with all the stress, with good diet and exercise and learn to do so?

We do it in the military every day. Most of us do it with kids, families, outside responsibilities. And we work 12 hour shifts, and are deployed, and come in on days off for commander's calls and required Air Force training and for some of the stupidest reasons some commanders can come up with. We pass our physical fitness tests and keep ourselves as healthy as possible - though I'll admit that's made a bit easier when health care is free. But the physical fitness is part of our job requirement, and no one can provide that for us.

I'm not judging anyone; I'm just saying it can be done.

(I will say this - I've noticed in a military hospital there's less of people bringing in lots of cake and donuts and brownies to the break room and more of either real food or fancy fruit baskets - having worked in a civilian hospital I know that's a problem. We had a patient who was so grateful for our care - we're the bone marrow transplant ward - he bought us a new coffee pot!)

reganette · May 15, 2010

I'm not a nurse (yet!), but I do know a lot about busy schedules. Just find the time to exercise. The pedometer is a phenomenal idea, because walking is a great way to maintain your current weight or to maintain weight loss. Watch your caloric intake, like don't over eat.. as obvious as it sounds, for some (like me), it's easier said than done. Diet and exercise together are essential for healthy weight-loss. Set limits and weight wont be an issue. Avoid the treats other people bring in. Set up a routine, take advantage of your days off. You can do it! :)

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · May 15, 2010

I believe that if you want it bad enough, you can definately do it.

I worked as a tech before nursing school full time (3x12's) and also trained and successfully completed two marathons in one year.

It wasn't easy. I would go out and run after work (a short run) and on two of my days off I ran two-a-days (not recomended for beginner runners).

Now I'm not running marathons since I just graduated and got a new job. I've cut down to half marathons and am looking forward to at least one triathlon this year (missed the spring tri's due to a broken elbow from a bike accident).

If you plan your meals ahead of time and pack a good food bag for work, you can sustain yourself off of that. I always joke around that I pack enough food for a small army but it's what I need to eat to get me through my day and then, if need be, my workout after work (I only do this once to twice a week).

I also pack clothes and make sure I bring them with me. It's so easy to use the excuse of not bringing proper workout gear but when you have your fully packed bag right there, it's harder to skip out on a workout.

I usually play a game with myself as well, especially after work. I will go to the gym, change, and either swim or hop on the treadmill and I tell myself that if I'm just not feeling it after 10 minutes, it's OK to bag that workout.

There are a lot of things you can do to keep healthy and fit while working as a nurse.

MaryEMT · May 15, 2010

CHdad, the mental strength is soo true!!

I started regularly jogging/working out in the mornings before work (and I am not by any means a morning person). I found that when I go to bed preparing myself for that early wake up determined to jog and do good for my body it happens. When I have a negative or even ambivalent attitude it is a lot harder to get moving and nine times out of ten it doesn't happen (with that mindset).

So yes it is possible to stay fit mind over matter and do exercise you enjoy (I didn't think that was possible but I found my niche).

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 15, 2010

Just as a student, one thing I noticed I did a lot more of on a shift was DRINK WATER. I had a big bottle and with all the water dispensers near by I was able to drink a lot of water which is always good. The vending machines weren't close by either and I never used them. Brought Luna Bars (my favorite are the zesty lemon) if my BS was getting to low. I actually ate better, got more exercise and drank more water WHILE on my clinical shifts.

meadowsong, ASN, RN · May 15, 2010

No matter what job or position you do there are always choices to make and options to take when it comes to your health. It's very easy for any profession to make excuses for not being able to exercise, eat right, or stay physically fit.

While I do not work full time at this moment..........I am a mom to 4 young boys, am back in nursing school full time, and work part time. I still find time to exercise 3-4 times a week, cook homemade meals, and take care of myself. It's a top priority, without my health I can't help others!

whodatnurse · May 15, 2010

Although I am aspiring to be a nurse one day I am not one yet, but have worked many crazy shifts while I was in the military that didn't allow for a normal workout schld. First don't beat your self up too much. You have to start somewhere. Some start over weight, some start injured and have to keep that in mind or their bodies will fail. But the most important part of your body that needs a workout is your mind. Your mind has to be strong, if you mind says lets getup and workout at 4:30 in the morning then your body will follow, that is just how it works, but I can tell you from experience it doesn't work the other way around that well. Also don't overdo it at first. Being consistent is the key, remember you are working out your mind as much as your body and changing your mindset takes time at first just like your body. I though not one myself I have had the honor to workout with a few Para Rescue friends and this is what I observed. Its not the strongest guys that make it. Its the toughest mentally that are consistent that make it through training. Their attitude on working out is very basic. Their minds need to be strong just as much as their bodies need to be pushed so they are ready for game day. Though our missions are much different in the civilian world we still need to have goals physically that we are striving for. A marathon, a triathlon, being able to hike up that peak without stopping ect. And having workout partners to motivate you when you are tired and don't want to workout is essential. Goals are very important and keep us focused and more importantly get us out of the chair on a regular basis.
Good luck and remember don't beat your self up too much, being consistent will do more for you mentally and physically than pushing to hard at first and getting injured. Working out is not just a good thing to do, but your body and your mind needs resistance to be healthy its how they are made.

This was a very thoughtful and encouraging response. The point about the mind really gets to the heart of this whole 'is it possible to find the time to exercise" issue. If you aren't already of the 'it IS not only possible but essential' mindset...until that mental shift occurs, a person is going to cycle through being into the groove of it or out of the groove of it. When the mental shift occurs, exercise becomes naturally integrated into one's existence rather than an overwhelming 'how will i ever find time for yet another thing' dilemma.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 15, 2010

Yes, mayybe if you work day shift...for those of us on nights..forget it! I sleep all day work at night eat "dinner" anytime between 12-2am. On my days off I have so much to day, (housework,keep kids happy) forget working out.

It is painful and difficult, but please don't give up. Start small. Just start walking around the block once a day. Or go up and down the stairs at the hospital or your house a few times. Little stuff like that.

Eat a few bites less or pack healthy stuff - carrots, celery, cauliflower, cabbage - easy and healthy.

Drink V8 or water.

Put on some music at home and dance. :dancgrp:Maybe get a stationary bike or treadmill and put it in front of your TV and use it for a few minutes several times each week.

You can do it. :yeah: :w00t::hrnsmlys:

allnurses Guide · May 15, 2010

Why yes, I am at my most gorgeousness in the middle of the night in my bright print albeit wrinkled scrubs! :jester: It is the other 140 hours of the week that I'm not smashingly beautiful.

I take Tae Kwon Do, work out with a buddy once a week at the gym, teach at the CC, and work nights in the ER. My pedometer said 8-12 miles a night.

12 hour shifts give us more time off during the week, but require a lot more sleep during the day than I had to sleeping at night when working days. 12s require fewer nurses on the payroll. I like them because back when I was on the floors, it felt like I had more time with each patient, a little more leeway in timing of getting things done, and more consistency, as I often turned over my people to the same nurse I picked them up from. We were able to coordinate a fair number of things being able to talk directly to each other.