New Grad- Weight lost and tips to stay healthy

[Apple160]

Hi guys- I'm currently a new grad 4 days off of orientation. I work at med surg unit and it's very busy.

Since December (when I first started my job) I've been losing weight. I was always a petite girl, but since I started my job I lost 12 lbs. It's been really hard to maintain a healthy life style since nursing school, but now I feel like it's progressing and affecting my energy. I make my own food, pack my lunch box with snacks and lunch every day but I barely ever get o take a break and just recently I missed my first lunch. 

I want to change this so bad, because I know malnutrition isn't good for nurses, but its extremely hard being able to eat during the day time at work. I still getting my time management and routine down, but even early in the morning, it's hard to eat at 5pm (Usually not hungry, it makes me nauseous when I eat so early). I'm in my early twenties and I'd really like to start a healthier lifestyle but don't know where to start- especially with nursing now as a factor. I would love some tips.

[scrubulator_821]

Hi ? welcome to nursing! 

I think the from you mentioned, the stress you have now probably decrease your appetite? When you find yourself with no time to eat during the day, your body get used to not having food intake and runs on everything else is stored in your body. ??

I currently work 0700-1645, M-F in the operating room. What I have been trying is to have coffee during my commute, eat around 1100hr for my lunch, snack around 1500 and then dinner 1730hr.  I am not sure if this will make it an easier schedule for you if you work 12 hrs shifts on the floor... but when you are managing time for your day, maybe give it a try to include these meal time, hope this will help?! ? 

On my old unit, they deliver lunch around 1130hr, so I would give meds around meal time and set them up for lunch; I would then have afternoon coffee around 1500 during charting. and then 1700 my dinner before their dinner trays arrive at 1730 for their evening meds and more charting after 1815hr....