1st Day Off exhaustion

[Student2Registered]

I'm wondering how other 12 hour nurses manage the exhaustion on your first day off after two or three 12 hour shifts? I can't seem to function much for most of the day. Is it just me?

[rockenmomRN]

I work every Sunday and Monday night i call Tuesdays my coma day. Phone off no tv even the kiddies know not to bug mom on Tuesdays. Today they took turns coming a snuggling but not making sound as they enter or exit my room.

[Bionic Woman]

Understand totally! First day off is usually spent on the couch with my feet propped up playing on the computer or watching tv. Later in the day I muster the energy up to go for a work-out and I feel so much better after that!

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

I usually end up sleeping for the first 18 hours on my day off. If it weren't for my mother working as my house keeper my home would be in shambles!

[mandyc]

i completely relate...i work nights, so i switch back and forth on my days off, i am a day person and on the nights i work....a night person..after 3 nights....wow!...when i pull 4 in a row...i feel like a zombie....coma all the way...i still luv my job, but maybe it’s time to go to the day shift….ugghh

[DroogieRN]

I'm still trying to figure it out. I just finished five 12-hr nights in a row. No idea why that was scheduled the way it was! I got off yesterday a.m. and have to go back Thursday for daylight -- I still don't feel like myself! All I did yesterday (after I finally woke up) was whimper. I like my job and am glad to have it but sheesh! I am beat.

[annabeap, MSN, APRN, NP]

I think if I worked five 12's in a row I'd go nuts! But I definitely have the morning on my days off saved for sleep. It's usually a battle to get to the store/clean the house/do laundry on any day for me. And it's a rare occasion I work out that first day off...

I'm gonna enjoy my day off tomorrow! No plans, only the couch and me.

[ECRN 4085]

Sheesh... this is how I recover. Come on here and see what my peers have to say!! No one seems to understand how difficult a 12hour stint on nights, family or friends. So glad to have you guys to help keep me sane and grounded!!

[BackfromRetirement]

When i was in my 20's, sleep was done in marathons after 3 days of "hit the ground running"but in another profession. Now that I'm in my 50's, I will probably croak with my nursing shoes on because 12 hour shifts are not age friendly.

[Orange Tree]

I come home, go to sleep that morning, then wake up the next morning.....sometimes before the sun comes up and sometimes after. I always wake up confused- wondering what day it is and if it's night or day:confused: Once, I even got "in trouble" for not communicating with my boyfriend for over 36 hours.....but I was confused for that long and had no idea how much time had passed.

[BackfromRetirement]

And why is it, nurses still crave "the extra time off"?

[50caliber]

I use to work 6 12hr shifts in a row. Talk about punishment. Took me a full day to recover. A ton of sleep, some nice meals, and a message on the 1st day off to recover. Then I enjoy a nice week off.