1st Day Off exhaustion

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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? :yawn:

Specializes in Tele.

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.

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!

Specializes in Med/Surg.

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!

Specializes in Nursing Eduator.

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

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.:uhoh3:

Specializes in pediatrics.

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... :lol2:

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

Specializes in Critical Care, Neuro, Cardiac, Step Down.

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!!

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.

Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

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.:yawn:

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

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.

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