Shift Work is Taking a Toll

[joanna73]

I work much less than I used to when I first started nursing, and still, I find that aside from the week I'm off, I'm always tired. I eat well and exercise, but nothing really helps. I find it takes me 4 days to fully recover from my shifts, but I'm already back at work. I work permanent nights (which I like) and I have 35 shifts in 3 months. I've only been nursing two years, and I'm thinking in another two years, I'll need a desk job. The fatigue isn't worth it.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

My other nurse friends say the same. They're always tired. It's not uncommon for me to sleep 9-11 hours on a day off. If I'm really tired, it's closer to 13. What exciting lives we lead!