So I work days, which as a new RN can be difficult to get. I've worked a bit over a year.
We're a busy floor. I am typically out late, between 4:30 - 5pm (supposed to be 7 - 330 shift). I usually am unable to get a lunch, so either don't eat, or eat worse than I'd like to when I get home. I usually get VERY hungry before bed, but try to avoid eating right before bed. I usually scarf down some breakfast. I never used to eat breakfast because it made me sick (nausea) but I would just be so hungry from not eating all day, so I made myself.
Any who I've read through many topics here that state how unhealthy night shift can be on the body. I'm very health conscious. I feel like days isn't that healthy because of my eating habits. But will nights really increase my risk of hypertension/cancer/diabetes/weight gain/ etc??
I'm only asking because I feel like I may be more nocturnal. For one I can eventually fall asleep whenever. But even on my days off when I wake at about 9am I want to take a nap by noon. I have a VERY hard time going to sleep before 2 am or so.
I start to become really energized late in the evening like 8pm or so. I have an *extremely* hard time waking up in the morning. Even if I had 8 to 9 hours of sleep. I have to drag myself out of bed and am often sleepy until noon. Also the most stressful things for me on days - dealing with doctors, families, and lack of teamwork - is minimal on nights.
I did a night shift once before and it was fine for me. But it was only one shift.
