Weight loss as a new nurse

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Hi there. Brand new to the site and to the world of professional nursing.

Quick setup here...I passed my boards back on March the 3rd and have been on my own since 3/10. I work weekend overnights (Friday, Saturday and Sunday - 12 hour shifts). A couple days ago, I weighed myself since one of my goals post nursing school was to lose about 30 pounds. Well...I have lost about 15 since around 3/10 (in a month) and being a mild hypochondriac, my mind is going places it shouldn't.

I feel that my eating habits have changed in that I maybe only eat a couple times a day over that three day period, sometimes four days. When I am not working, my appetite is fine. Also, our unit is really busy. I typically don't sit down until 3am or so when I hit the floor at right before 7pm. There are nights where I don't eat because of one reason or another.

I guess my questions/concern is whether or not this is expected. I have read about people gaining weight but not really about people losing weight once they are on their own.

Thanks in advance...

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Once your body adjusts to your activity at work, it will slow down on the weight loss. I wouldn't be worried about it or complain! What did you do for activity prior to nursing? If you were sedimentary before, what you do at work could be a big increase in your activity level.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Try to incorporate small meals and snacks. Smoothies, fruit, boiled eggs, nuts, yogurt, granola. These are all staples in my lunch bag. I work permanent nights also, but you need to make the time to eat, otherwise you will burn out. I lost about 7 pounds during my first 5 months on nights, but nights are busy for me.

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I appreciate the feedback. Just didn't know if anyone had a similar thing happen to them. I have a pedometer on my phone and am going to turn it on to see just how much I walk in a night.

Plus I'm sure the stress of being a new nurse has something to do with it. Thanks again!

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personally for me, working nights and scurrying around everywhere and doing things fast and relying on not many people- and the anxieties are weight loss inducing for me

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