How Tired Are You?

eveningsky339, LPN · Apr 2, 2010

I am about to start my first ever CNA job and I am wondering how tired I will be at the end of the day. Can I expect to come home and just pass out without dinner? Will I be able to walk out to my car at the end of my shift? Should I buy a heating pad and some pain reliever now before I start?
What are your favorite ways to unwind at the end of the day? Do you have any energy left over for housework or hobbies?

If you are new, you will probably be pretty worn out, especially after a day or night shift. You will be able to make it to your car of course, and you probably won't pass out during dinner, but you will definitely be feeling it.

After a day or evening shift, I like to soak in the tub and elevate my feet. That's pretty important if you have sore feet!

After a night shift, it's all I can do not to fall asleep in the tub. Then I'm in bed, and I wake up six hours later feeling like a zombie... But to be fair, I never gave my body time to adjust to a new sleep schedule. I just work random nights.

Invest in a nice heating pad for your back and some over the counter pain reliever. And remember, elevate your feet if they hurt!

CoffeemateCNA · Apr 2, 2010

My entire first month on the job (day shift), it was all I could do to keep from falling asleep in the car on the ride home. As soon as I got home, I crashed for an hour or two. Then I woke up, had dinner, etc., and went to bed at normal time. It takes your body a little bit to adjust to the on-the-job abuse, but you WILL get adjusted. Nowadays, by the time I get home I am completely wired for hours. :)

Invest in a good heating pack. I fall asleep with a warm microwavable one on my back each night. The warmth helps to bring blood and nutrients to the damaged tissue; it really makes a difference in reducing back pain.

As far as reducing tiredness is involved, I have one word for you: COFFEE. :w00t:

pca_85 · Apr 2, 2010

How tired am I? I put my contacts in mountain dew last night because I didn't have the strength to stop at the drugstore to buy solution :) Wish I was kidding. Seriously, I've found that eating fresh fruit and taking a vitamin goes a long way. Also, when you begin working as an aide, you'll feel terribly sore, it's a major workout! Keep ibuprofen handy.

CoffeemateCNA · Apr 2, 2010

I've found that eating fresh fruit and taking a vitamin goes a long way.

I totally agree. :up: Everyone else on my shift always drives through Burger King or McDonald's for lunch. Me? I always bring fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, pasta, and juice for lunch. I don't get the processed food and refined sugar rush that everyone else gets, but eating healthy gives you the long-term energy. Exercise is very helpful as well and relieves stress (and goodness knows we seem to have a lot of it in our field!).

pca_85 · Apr 2, 2010

While funnel cake sticks(yummy) work short term, we tend to work long shifts and fruit goes a long way :)