Question:
Night shift nurses...help!!!
I'm a nurse and I work 12hr night shift. Is there anyone who can share information about how to manage diet, water, and supplement intake when returning to work. I work 2 nights a week and every other weekend. I definitely need some advioce because I flip-flop fron night to day and then day to night. Im having RNY in March. Thanks! — T. Preston (posted on December 24, 2009)
December 24, 2009
Hi, I am a night shift ER doc working 6pm to 6am. I had RNY 3-9-09. I work
7 nights in a row then off 7 at my primary job but I moonlight a couple of
24 hour shifts at small hospital ERs during my off week. It takes planning.
I get up in the afternoon and cook my "lunch" for the day which I
eat before going to work, at the same time I cook my supper which I usually
eat about 2 AM when we slow down a little. I now can eat a piece of fruit
about 10pm. When I get home I work out on my elliptical, have a breakfast
of Carb Master yogurt, or an eggbeater omlet with no fat cheese, or a
Bariatric advantage protein shake meal replacement. I've lost 164 pounds so
far and have struggled during the Christmas season to not graze on all the
food the nurses bring in to share. It is difficult with the weird mixed up
hours we work but you can do it. It has helped me that one of the day
nurses had vertical sleeve about 2 months before me and has lost more than
I have so far, we have talked and compared notes on how to cope with the
challanges of hospital shift work post op. Good luck with your journey, you
can do it but it does take planning and preperation. Kevin
— hapkidodoc
December 24, 2009
I work strange hours myself. I had my surgery 8/08 and I do mine by timing
everything out. I take things to work with me. Greek yogurt 10g protein,
drink protein shake on the way in.... turkey lunch meat or precooked salad
shrip for lunch then protein bar for snack. everything is about 3 hours
apart take almonds in a bag to work pre measured for a surving... take
everything with you so that you are never stuck eating off a menu at a
hospital cafe.... I also work at a hospital. plan you meals out and take
it with you and you will be fine
— phyllismmay
December 25, 2009
I'm a night shift nurse, I didn't have the RNY, I'm a Lap-Bander. I find
myself eating something high protein, low carb just before going in at
10pm. I bring in this concoction I've made...cottage cheese, a little bit
of shredded cheese, a little bit of Ranch dressing, and sunflower
seeds..all mixed together. Low carbs and a heck of a good time with
protein! I eat a few spoons whenever I get hungry, then 2 hours later I
drink some iced tea sweetened with Splenda. If I need a snack, I eat an
Atkins protein bar. This usally holds me over til I get off at 10am.
— gingerly1983
December 25, 2009
I work dayshift which is a little different because all the bosses are
around. I'm concerned about not getting in all my fluids. It would be great
if I could keep a water bottle with lid while I'm charting but we aren't
allowed (I don't think anyone is) how do you manage to get your fluids in
during the day? I'm having RNY on Jan 5th.
— kmom1420
December 26, 2009
I had RNY in June, 2008. I am a night shift nurse. I have to be careful
because I have developed episodes of low blood sugar when I work nights, I
think my system gets turned around. I usually just change my diet as if
when I wake up at 2 or 3 PM it is my morning. I usually eat my
"lunch" at about 6PM and then have a pice of string cheese about
midnight and then have my supper about 2-3 AM. During the end of the shift
I may have an Atkins shake to hold me over till I get home and have a
snack before bed. I bring Crystal lite with me and always have the little
individual sleeves to add to water, so I am never without. Have had a
problem with leg cramps after working, so I try to make sure I drink enough
and sometimes have to supplement with a K tab. Hope this helps. It is a
challenge, but so worth it!
— sandorah
December 26, 2009
Hello, I am also a 12 hour shift night nurse. I work OB, do it all,
antepartum, L/D, Postpartum, newborn nursery. We dont get a set time for
lunch at night, in fact we have to grab a bite here and there and run. I am
scheduled to have surgery 12/29/09. I am really concerned when I come back
to work how I am going to fit my nutrition into my work schedule. Any
suggestions...please!!!
— newstart4anewme
December 26, 2009
Well, I'm not a night shift nurse, but I am a 24 hour paramedic. We hang
out at the local er's depending on where I'm stationed so I have both the
"er foodie" syndrome and the "never know when the next meal
will be" syndrome.
I could never have done the liquid or puree stage at work I would admit,
but then I have to be able to lift 150 lbs and carry it up stairs so I
couldn't come back to work after my RNY until I was 8 weeks out.
So how do I handle it? I plan. That seems to be the main issue for my
eating all the time. I carry enough food for a full 24 hour shift to eat
3-4 meals and 2 snacks (I definately need my 2 snacks a day to keep my
blood sugar at a good level, to get all my protein-one of my snacks is a
protein cocoa or shake; and I use the extra meal on my shift if it's a very
busy day in the middle of the night).
My meals include Kashi GoLean Oatmeal with some dried fruit, cottage
cheese, sliced deli meat (check for sugar and sodium content), mini
pickles, my deviled eggs (no mayo, just mustard and lemon juice, and
spices), shrimp or tuna salad, or even hummas and I love this new flat
bread that is whole wheat, flax and oat bran so it has a good level of
protein and minimal carbs.
Snacks that I carry include Gerber's Yogurt Melts (nibble the whole bag
through the day and it's only 120 calories), Kashi Trail mix bar, beef
jerky (check sugar levels, but I find some that is only 7 g. per oz and I
don't eat the whole oz at one snack), rice cakes with peanut butter
(reduced fat, and for my 3 cakes I only use about 3 tsps-not tablespoons),
pudding (there's a sugar free single serve packet I've found now-that's
even better, cause I add my protein scoop to it).
With each meal between 200 and 250 calories, and most snacks between 90 and
180, I should always end up between 1000 and 1200 in a day (by the way, I'm
9 months out, at goal but still loosing-guess the running I do at work is
helping out). To me, since I may be planning to eat at 4:30 and get a call
about 4:15, I always have something to eat that is quick (I know, slow as a
rule, but sometimes I can only eat a small part of the meal) to eat enroute
to my call, the planning becomes the most important. Having food that I
can split and take one portion at any time, and knowing that it is all
"good" for me helps keep me from choosing badly on the run.
Hope this helps.
— scootermedic
December 27, 2009
what a great question, i am concerned about this as well. Thank you Dr
Flowers for your answer and experience. I am an ER nurse and will be
having the gastric sleeve on jan 6, 2010 in baltimore
— MICR63
December 27, 2009
Thanks to everyone for you input. It helped a lot.
— T. Preston
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