noc shift...............more confusion

Neon8 · Oct 5, 2003

I like nocs too. I find that if I eat before going to bed, that it helps me sleep. I usually find some left-overs in the fridge - nothing big. My "big" meal is before work. I work 12 hour shifts: 7 to 7. Since I only have to work 3 days a week, I get back on a days schedule right away. I can't sleep much past 1:30 in the afternoon, so I get up on the first day off and and go to bed that night like usual.

zambezi, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2003

I find myself eating smaller meals on nights. I eat "breakfast" before I go to work, two eggs. Then around 2100 I eat a snack, fruit and something else...I eat "dinner" around 100, my biggest meal of the day. Sometimes around 600 I eat a yogurt, and then I eat a bowl of ceral when I get home before I go to bed. I try to drink lots of water at night. I usually have a coffee as I go to work and a diet pepsi with my dinner but other than that I drink lots of water. It works for me and If I could stop eating the cafeterias fried food, I would be eating pretty healthy :)

As you work nocs longer, you will find your routine that works for you...

Paige Turner RN · Oct 5, 2003

Thanks. Right now I eat after work in the cafeteria, usually breakfast type food no caffeine, usually water. I go home and sleep for a few hours..........get up eat lunch type stuff, then make and eat dinner with hubby, take a nap get up go to work and eat a snack at about 3. I guess the idea of eating and then going to sleep is what I am concerned about. I don't want to gain any extra weight.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2003

Usually eat a big meal before work, supper type food. Then snack on fruit and eat another big meal around 0100. Around 0400 have some fruit again. Then have some cereal, a sandwich or eggs before bed. They say a carb meal releases serotonin or something that helps you sleep, so oatmeal or whole grains before bed isn't a bad idea, unless you're doing low-carb eating.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Oct 5, 2003

I work 12 hour shifts, so I usually have a bowl of cereal before I go to bed, and dinner before I go to work. Frequently, dinner is soup and sandwich, or scrambled eggs and toast. Lunch at work is usually between midnight and three, NOT low fat or calorie food in our cafeteria, so I also have yogurt, a banana and a bagel with me. That way I have food available if I don't have time to go down to the cafeteria. I can still eat and charge "no break". They have a salad bar at work, but after I was charged nearly two and a half dollars for a tiny plate of salad, I decided I didn't need it anymore.

I've done this for years, usually sleep ok, but I do take naps at home, on my days off.

nursedawn67, LPN · Oct 5, 2003

when I worked nights, I would eat something small before I went to bed in the morning. this way I didn't wake up early because I was hungry or anything.

BarbPick · Oct 5, 2003

Wow!!!! Thanks for all the advice!!!!!

I start Tuesday on a new Job and it will be 7p to 7a. I am a Forensic Nurse Specialsit and will finally be able to practice one of my new trades. By day I work consulting as a Medical Legal Consultsant.

I have been pacing myself trying to take naps during the day to get ready. http://www.enw.org/NightShift.htm this is the night shift nirse survival guide link.

I have read about melatonin, I tried it, it hasn't made me even yawn. Any other suggestions, I am gratefully listening.

Barbara

Paige Turner RN · Oct 5, 2003

great site thanks................

wayover20 · Oct 6, 2003

I work 7p7a. Eat very small meal about 8am, go to sleep 9am, wake up 330pm eat a not so big dinner at 5pm. Really eat a good meal at 3am. Works for me.