Night shift and endurance training

Nurses Stress 101

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Hi all. This is my first time to post. I just graduated in December and am currently in orientation on days in the ICU. I will be switched to nights in 3 weeks. I am religious about exercise. I have done several marathons and triathlons. Throughout school I was very good at time management, I even trained and participated in a marathon. It keeps me balanced. I'm worried about time and energy when I switch over to nights. So far, on days, I have been able to get all my workouts in. Any suggestions or insights on how to balance night shift, sleep, and still have time for exercise and relationships. I'm very worried about this. Please help relieve my stress. :uhoh21:

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Specializes in ICU.

triRN,

I too am an athlete and work nights in the ICU. It takes determination and flexibility to get your workouts in..On the nights I work (if I do three in a row) I get one workout in the morning of my first night then the other two nights I use as my days off. After my last shift, I come home to sleep until 2, get up and go workout. My days off I do two a day workouts to make up for the days I lost. It sounds like alot but I'm in training for my first tri in April so I'm kicking my workouts in high gear these last few weeks. It all works out, you'll find time. I was in the same boat as you during my orientation. Exercise is my stress relief from those crazy shifts in the ICU. I'm lucky too that I have a very supportive husband and daughter that encourage me to exercise so that I can be a better wife and mother.

alex1

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Specializes in Orthopedics.

triRN, I was just going to post a very similar question! I'm also an athlete (solo 24-hr mtbr) and will be starting nights in about a week (cardiac/step-down). Though nervous about how it will affect me, I'm also excited because I'd rather do a short workout in the AM light (after work) than in the dark (after a day shift). I was wondering if anyone did that, but looks like alex1 does as well, after that first night. I'd then take the 2nd day off and then do a workout again on the 3rd day after sleeping. We'll see how it works! Let me know how things go for you, and what works and what doesn't. ;) I'll do the same.

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Specializes in start in NICU 7/14/08.

hello -

was searching the forums for this exact subject...sorry to bring back an old thread but also a concern of mine...former triathlete and current runner that just graduated from nursing school and will be working nights

i don't have the option of working my days in a row but i will have a set 6 week rotation schedule...i'm concerned because i will be working three 12 hour shifts and commuting about an hour each way...i need to figure out how to fit in my workouts, commute time, sleep time, etc

i am good with time management and maintained workouts throughout nursing school even with work and family commitments but the night shift thing really makes me nervous...i suppose i will just have to play around with my schedule...glad to read of others that successfully manage though...makes me feel better...thanks :)

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Some days I workout after I get off in the AM-- straight to the gym, if I go home fatigue sets in. Other days I go to the gym when I wake up about 4pm. On my days off I always get a work out in by either going to the gym or taking my dog for a jog on the beach. My boyfriend and I workout together most days so that is extra bonding time for us. And as far as seeing my friends, I usually save that for the 2-3 days/wk I don't workout!

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Specializes in Homecare Peds, ICU, Trauma, CVICU.

I work nights too and am having difficulty trying to find time to exercise. I sleep from about 8am to 5pm. I try to work out as soon as I wake up but always feel guilty because I know my family is waiting on me and need to start preparing supper. I've thought about trying to work out after work before I go to bed but am worried about having difficulty sleeping. Is it true you shouldn't time your work outs just prior to bedtime? Anyone who does this and doesn't have a hard time falling asleep afterwards?

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12 hour shifts and sore legs are something I'm having difficulty with. I have patellar tendonitis plus a bakers' cyst on my left knee secondary to running.

I find it extremely hard on my knees to stand the 12 hour shifts. I spoke with a personal trainer at the Y who told me to avoid weighted lunges and squats, any free weight training with weights and knee bends.

I am about dying to get back to running, but my podiatrist has said no. So I'm biking, rollerblading with wrapped knees and aqua jogging in the meantime. However, after a 12 hour shift on my feet it is super hard to work out in a way I am accustomed to.

Any workout tips for building strength and cardio while decreasing knee, calf, foot pain?

(I ordered some masai balance tech shoes for work, as my friend assures me these will help)

Also, I've switched from nights to days because I found nights really made me feel yucky. I'd like to plan a mid-day workout for my break, but don't want to do in my knees.:rolleyes::confused::confused::)

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Specializes in med surg.

hi! i'm a new grad nurse and am working med-surg. i'm also complete newbie in the world of running. my goal is to finish the las vegas half-marathon. i started my training in the summer but had to stop cuz of the demands of nursing school.

my question is --- with these crazy 12-hr shifts, should i just postpone my training during my days-off? or do i keep up even when i'm so tired at the end of a shift? does anybody have any training i could follow? would greatly appreciate it.

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Specializes in n/a.

I haven't gone to the gym in 6 mos!! I graduated from nursing school last Dec and work nights...I work 7:30p-7:30a...I usually don't get up until about 5 and that's not enough time for me to work out...for those who work out when they get off in the morning, do you have trouble going to sleep once you get home? I'd really like to get back into the gym, I miss it!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU.

I currently work a 2day 2night 4off rotation in a NeoNatal ICU. I will run after my shift on the first day, before I nap before the first night and on at least 2 of my days off. It is possible to run after a 12 hour shift, I find I sleep better. I go home, eat a light snack, do some yoga to warm up and then do a light and easy run, usually about 5-7km. I also go all out on that run before my first night shift, it is usually my middle distance around 8-11km. I then go home, do some stretching, eat a light snack and a cup of sleepy time tea, read a bit and am happily ready for a nap around 2. Keep running, it is the one thing that will keep you sane and make you feel less like you are :banghead:

cheers!!!

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Specializes in Coronary Rehab Unit.

I've always been able to get the workouts in while working nights..... it's relationships and just relating to a world that is mostly day-shift oriented that's been harder..... but it's doable - just give yourself time to acclimate to it and find your rhythm. I LOVE working nights ..... usually ;)

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Hi I am curious about how the training and routine is working now. Did you guys find anything that works for you? I used to be a road cyclist who raced and did several centuries a year. I stopped because school got too busy. Now that I graduated, I want to get back into it but will probably have night shifts. I plan to commute to work by bicycle to rack up the mileage lol.

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