Next Day Off

How do you feel on your day off after working a shift? Nurses General Nursing

Published

How do you feel on your day off after working a shift?

Today is my day off after working yesterday. Throughout my career the next day off is brutal. My muscles ache and I have such fatigue. I heard of this "nursing hangover". I can work consecutive days and not feel it during work. But, always, the next day- on my day off, I feel like *enter your expletive*. How many nurses feel this way and what do you do to counteract it? Do you find that it is worse after a more emotionally stressful day? I find that after a difficult personality patient day, it's way worse no matter how light the team. I don't know if it's related to cortisol or adrenaline. I can deep sleep for 10 hrs and wake up late and still feel like this. It ruins my day, especially when I need to work tommorow.

Personally I think it is the bedside hospital nurse work that does this to people. 12 hour shifts at 100 MPH will put you down.

After working two straight miserable shifts, 26 hours of horror, no way could I do three. It would take herculean effort to get from the car into the house. My feet hurt so bad I had difficulty walking for 1-2 days and had nightmares when I tried to sleep. I was sick, practically prostrate with fatigue and not able to function mentally. Too much was expected and there was not a way to do good nursing. Oh well.

As for what I tried to do to keep from feeling totally miserable. I soaked my feet in Epsom salts, slept, ate good, took analgesics, etc. Not advising you to do this, just saying what I did for myself. It didn't help much by the way.

To me it was not worth the sacrifice because I was not ready to hand over my body and mind to torture. I know this sounds dramatic but that is what it felt like. Like I was dying.

Not complaining of course, just my experience. I just told people I was tired and kept it pretty much to myself.

2 Votes
Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

All good advice, but there is no substitute for consistency. I've always done best when I could "work my three" and then get four days off. Other than that extra rest, extra hydration, exercise, and optimal nutrition are your best bet. If you can get "almost caffeine free" except when you really need it, it can help on your first "off day". Also, if your work third shift it is important that you keep that schedule on your off days as well otherwise you are likely experiencing a "sleep deficit" when you transition to days (on your off days).

1 Votes
Specializes in Telemetry.
3 hours ago, Forest2 said:

Personally I think it is the bedside hospital nurse work that does this to people. 12 hour shifts at 100 MPH will put you down.

After working two straight miserable shifts, 26 hours of horror, no way could I do three. It would take herculean effort to get from the car into the house. My feet hurt so bad I had difficulty walking for 1-2 days and had nightmares when I tried to sleep. I was sick, practically prostrate with fatigue and not able to function mentally. Too much was expected and there was not a way to do good nursing. Oh well.

As for what I tried to do to keep from feeling totally miserable. I soaked my feet in Epsom salts, slept, ate good, took analgesics, etc. Not advising you to do this, just saying what I did for myself. It didn't help much by the way.

To me it was not worth the sacrifice because I was not ready to hand over my body and mind to torture. I know this sounds dramatic but that is what it felt like. Like I was dying.

Not complaining of course, just my experience. I just told people I was tired and kept it pretty much to myself.

I am so glad that you are honest and transparent. We need to talk about how our jobs can take over our mind, body, and well being.

2 Votes

Ya know... Honestly, I had no problems the day after a run of 12 hour shifts when I worked as a nurse. In manufacturing, I was used to the same type of shifts, so there was no adjustment. Also, I never let families, co-workers and administration negatively impact my day, honestly. I never once cried, had a case of anxiety over dreading to go in, or perceived/attempted bullying, etc. Sure there were certainly some difficult shifts, but most certainly nothing that was impacting my next day off. I've always eaten well, have never drank coffee or smoked

Plus... I had too much work to do and was greatful for the extra time to accomplish it. I had a barn full of animals, gardens and an orchard, acreage to maintain, snow to plow, and of course housework. Plus, a beautiful and quiet place to live... No way in hell was I gonna sleep in, I didn't want to. Although I would sometimes take a little nap down back by the creek under my favorite tree.

1 Votes
21 hours ago, Forest2 said:

Personally I think it is the bedside hospital nurse work that does this to people. 12 hour shifts at 100 MPH will put you down.

After working two straight miserable shifts, 26 hours of horror, no way could I do three. It would take herculean effort to get from the car into the house.

I can relate to this part of your post. At work, I'd work hard and feel just fine. I'd get in my car to go home, and 20-30 minutes later when I arrived, I felt like I was 100 years old as I got out of the car and headed into the house. Seriously stiff!

I would do two consecutive 12 hour shifts, but I pretty much avoided doing any more than that in a row.

1 Votes
12 hours ago, Horseshoe said:

I can relate to this part of your post. At work, I'd work hard and feel just fine. I'd get in my car to go home, and 20-30 minutes later when I arrived, I felt like I was 100 years old as I got out of the car and headed into the house. Seriously stiff!

I would do two consecutive 12 hour shifts, but I pretty much avoided doing any more than that in a row. 

Exactly, Horseshoe. I start feeling the body pain and fatigue 30 mins after work or when I get home. It's like my body knows it's safe to relax. Unfortunately, I can hardly function the next 24 hrs. I try to do 2 days in a row too to cut down on the number of zombie days.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment