Working 12hr shifts and eating with the Band

Hi everyone, I am an RN and I work 12 hour shifts in the ICU. There are days when I am so busy it's hours(4-6) before I can get something to eat. I know there are many nurses on this forum, and I am curious about what you are taking to snack on for situations like this.

Thank you!

 I'm an RN and work 12 hr shifts in the nicu.  This is what I do.

Early am- click protein shake w/1 cup of skim milk
coffee as I get report.

about 10am polly o cheesestick

1pm- salad with hardboiled egg and chicken

5pm- Soup or rest of salad or a packet of nut

7pm- pure protein bar on ride home

I keep protein bars, nuts and instant oatmeal (I used the healthy heart one from trader joes for more protein) in my bag.  I usually throw a cheesestick in their and eat that in the am.  I keep my work bag with me in the nursery, so I can eat when I have to.  I also have a big water bottle I try to drink at least 3 of a 12 hr shift and sometimes I actaully do it.

It takes some planning , but it is doable..aim for your protein first.

Our family NICU nurses!! 

Hi, I work 7p's and I'm the only RN with up to 16 patients on a skilled unit with just one tech after 2330.  We have mostly Ortho patients and some long term IV ATBs.  It can be non stop call lights and I can get called away too many times trying to eat a Healthy Choice meal.  I can't risk getting stuck since I'm  the only RN, so I tend to take a cheese stick, Greek yogurt, Oatmeal.  I've only had 4 stucks in 20 months ( at home ) and it was on too dry of food, but it lasted close to 2 hours each time and very painful.  No way could I work in that situation, spitting etc.  I don't get to get off the floor, I'm it for the 12 & 1/2 hours.

I always take my food for the day. I usually will pack my Chobani, string cheese, a wrap, and Kashi Go lean creamy natural truly vanilla hot cereal because it has 9gm of protein. That I will usually try to make with skim milk to increase the protein.  I will take protein and make a protein shake but I know the preference is actual food.

What brand protein bars do you buy? Most of them have too much sugar in them.

Thank you!

Have you tried Almond milk unsweetned vanilla is only 45 calories vs. 90 for skim milk I use it in my oatmeal and in my shakes.

I prefer shakes to protein bars but that's just me.. I mix 1 scoop of Jillians protein powder, 1/2 banana, almond milk, 1/2 cup of ice and blend it's thickish and fills me up.. bars don't.. and I feel like I didn't actually eat.. call me crazy LOL 

 I like the pure protein bars (can buy them at costco or walmart) ..I like the PB onces the best.  They are dense and pack 20 gms of protein in 200 cals with low carbs.  I often break them in half and eat one half at a time, they're that filling

You found Pure Protein bars at Costco?  Lucky!  I shop at the Costco where their headquarters are located and they don't have them here!  I love Pure Protein bars.  Now that I have excellent restriction I only need 1/2 to tide me over as an afternoon snack or when I get caught going too long between meals.

Lisa O.

Thanks!

Hello fellow nurse, I too have two 12 hour shifts in my weekly schedule and on those days I try to take lots of fruits and yogurts. Working these long shifts is how I stacked on the weight in the first place, so I know you get hungry and tend to make hasty food choices. Sometimes I might even take a couple protein shakes in case I have to eat on the go.