12 Hr Shifts Kick My Butt

CHATSDALE · Jun 20, 2008

it absolutely does get better, try and do some exercises at home to strengthen your muscles

i, personally, like the 12 hour shift...you get up once and go to work, and a extra day off is good payback for an extra 4 hours

and to be honest with you when you first go to work you really feel tired until your body gets use to the new job

ArwenEvenstar · Jun 20, 2008

There have been posts on this before so you may want to do a search. You'll likely adjust. I worked 12-hour shifts for several years and handled them fine. (Although they were tiring, of course.)

However, after a few years on 12 hours, something changed (my age?? haha) and I could not work the 12 hour shifts anymore. They absolutely and totally wiped me out and exhausted me. Working one 12 hour shift would wipe me out for 3 days. I then switched to 8 hour shifts and that solved the problem....I was NOT exhausted and wiped out. So...the 12 hour shifts just became more than I could handle after a few years.

JustMe · Jun 20, 2008

I absolutely HATE my 12hr shifts, but have to work them in order to work where I want to work (CICU). I don't work full time, otherwise I would probably like the 12hrs for reasons stated. I like having my evenings free--ALL of them. When I work 12hrs I leave the house at 0630 and don't get home until after 8pm--no time to do anything else. Yes, you get used to the 12's, except usually around 4pm my body is telling me it's time to go home:yawn:

MaryAnn_RN · Jun 20, 2008

I absolutely HATE my 12hr shifts, but have to work them in order to work where I want to work (CICU). I don't work full time, otherwise I would probably like the 12hrs for reasons stated. I like having my evenings free--ALL of them. When I work 12hrs I leave the house at 0630 and don't get home until after 8pm--no time to do anything else. Yes, you get used to the 12's, except usually around 4pm my body is telling me it's time to go home:yawn:

We work 12.5 hour shifts, only have to do 3 per week, then once every 4 weeks we work an extra shift to make up our hours to full time, otherwise we would be short.

I found that drinking as much fluid as possible, eating healthily and wearing comfortable shoes really helped to minimise exhaustion, also try to take any breaks you are entitled to.

uk_nurse · Jun 20, 2008

I know just how you feel. I work in the community now but when i worked on the wards our shifts were 14 hrs, and ur lucky if you got out on time. Also you can be rostered to do another 14 hr shift next day. Looking back i dont know how i did them and look after my 4 children too. :)

MikeyJ, RN · Jun 21, 2008

I love 12 hour shifts and you definitely get used to them. I graduate nursing school in less than 60 days, but have been doing 12 hour shifts as a nurse apprentice for 10 months now (weekend graveyard) and for our practicum in nursing school we do two 12-hour's a week in an ICU. I love them and actually don't think I would like 8 hour days.

Batman24 · Jun 21, 2008

If you are working f/t after you adjust you will be grateful for th 12 hour shifts because you will love only having to go in 3 days a week. Try and take your breaks as you can even if it's just 5 minutes here and there. That can help. Keep quickie snacks handy so you can take a bite as needed...crackers, small pieces of cheese, nuts, grapes, etc. I also bring a whopping sized fresh brewed iced tea with me and keep it extra cold. Tastes great when you are tired and yucky.

Take a nice hot shower when you get home to relax your muscles and try to stretch in a hot shower before work too. Comfy shoes are a MUST.

pepsihla · Jun 21, 2008

I exercise, eat really healthy (eat protein, it will keep you going longer) and make sure I have spare time for resting. Getting enough sleep is half the battle. Exercising and eating healthy help sleep though.

Eating foods that are closer to its natural form is best, stay away from the processed foods.

Do not indulge in the junk in the nurses lounge, candy, donuts, cake, soda... this stuff is poison to your long 12 hour shifts.

I do drink coffee in AM when I wake up, but will switch to a healthy tea in PM if needed.

Dr.Nurse2b · Jun 21, 2008

I'm a new nurse and recently worked a 12 hour shift. I feel down right sore all over and only worked one day. Is this normal and does it get better??? I'm worried because I signed on for two years.

Stretch BEFORE you go to bed. Stretch in the AM. And get yourself a good pair of kicks...if you can spare the cash get your feet assessed by a professional...some sport shops will do this...and determine your foot type.

I always bought high dollar sneaks and would occasionally sprain my ankle...when I was walking my ankle would role...supinate. I had my feet checked and found that I have very high arches. The sneaker I wore did not provide the proper support and was in fact providing too much support. This was affecting how my foot made contact with the ground...

Long story short...I was getting shin splints, my legs were killing me and I would cry at the end of a 12 hour day...not anymore. :)

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2008

I exercise very regularly and have been for over a year....but man I am still so sore. I sure hope I get use to this.

Can anybody suggest a good pair of shoes other than tennis shoes, or even a good brand of tennis shoes.

Thanks for the suggestions.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jun 21, 2008

It will get better. I mean some people just hate 12 hour shifts no matter what but I think most people adjust to them just fine.

I work 12 hour shifts in an ICU and can not even imagine having to come in 5 days a week anywhere! I love my 4 days off a week and can easily work another OT shift a week and still get 3 days off a week. To me it is like the best of both worlds.

What helps for me is GOOD shoes, lots of fluids, GOOD sleep the night/day before. I got really good sleep last night and I worked today and just got home and still have enough energy to go out tonight, not tired at all :)

Hang in there, it will get better!