Need advice from my fellow 40 hour night shift nurse

Sour Lemon · Jan 31, 2018

If you want to go, you'll make it a priority and find the time. Personally, I would rather eat nachos.

brillohead, ADN, RN · Jan 31, 2018

If you worked days, when would you go? Before work? After work?

There's your answer.

Crystal-Wings, LVN · Jan 31, 2018

If you want to go, you'll make it a priority and find the time. Personally, I would rather eat nachos.

I used to work night shifts and would sometimes get nachos at the gas station before starting my shift. I made it a priority to skip the chili beans though. :)

Crush · Jan 31, 2018

When I worked nights I went before work. Showered at the gym and slipped on my scrubs. Too tired to workout after working all night. I did 8 hour shifts though. I think I would skip the gym if I worked 12's as I am pretty sure I did my 10,000 steps each shift. But that is just me, you'll have to find what works for you. Of course our gym is in the hospital I work at so not any drive time involved.

Dang it. Now I am craving nachos.

allnurses Guide · Jan 31, 2018

Probably best to try to go before work. It's too tempting for most people

to skip it and just go home and go to bed, after working a night shift.

Do you have a 24 hour gym nearby? Planet Fitness?

(Fitness whole plate of nachos into mah mouth!! Ba da boom!)

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jan 31, 2018

You don't have to go to a gym. Hit up Hasfit videos on You Tube. I am quite buffed for an old chick.

Meganmcm · Jan 31, 2018

Hey!

i always go the afternoon before my first night on, and sometimes the next shift (depending how I feel). If I'm on a stretch of a few nights in a row I always feel like the exercise that first shift helps me sleep. Then I try to make it to the gym on my off days. (Plus do some ab circuits at home if I can't make it). Just don't punish yourself or feel guilty when you're too pooped to make it to work out!!

Davey Do · Jan 31, 2018

I was a member of gyms for over 25 years and finally got tired of it- you know changing clothes, showering afterwards etc. I tried things like working out in my scrubs, but that didn't last long.

I finally bought an elliptical and universal, already had some free weights, and now workout in my basement and it's great! I'll do workouts of 10 minutes or an hour- whatever I feel like.

Just yesterday, I did a 20 minute workout in the basement of both elliptical and weights, then did 10 miles on my mountain bike. It was 32 degrees with a good S SW wind and today I feel great!

Getting away from the gym and the programmed routine has definitely increased my workout!

caliotter3 · Jan 31, 2018

I went for my neighborhood walks (occasionally hour and a half) immediately after work. Found they (and nice shower) facilitated daytime sleep.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2018

I get my workouts in before work, around 7 or 8 pm (my shift starts at 11pm). I exercise at home: I have a recumbent bike, free weights, and several exercise DVDs. I used to go to the local Y, but I hated having to jockey for free equipment.

On my days off, I may keep the same schedule, or work out in the mornings. Depends on how I'm feeling that day.

marie.rn2419, RN · Feb 7, 2018

Long time nocs, I make it a part of my weekly schedule by scheduling my three days together, going to the gym on my first day post-nap, pre-work. Then I take my rest days on work days and go on my off-days. I realized I valued my sleep more than exercise :/ Hope you find what works for you :)