Any RN mamas out there?

Bailey1823A · January 2015

so I am hoping to be fairly active with this pregnancy (was last time August 2011. Old name was abailey1823) anyway I am a RN and trying to get used to nights (I used to work day evenings). Do any of you work 3 twelve hour shifts in a row? I also have to take call. Do you find it too hard to work that many long shifts in a row? Just wondering as I am trying to transition to nights as well. Thanks.

CupcakecutieRN · January 2015

RN here but luckily I don't have to do 12s, I'll pick one every now and again and boy are they rough. When I used to, I would find that it would take a lot longer to recover from them than it used to. Good luck!!

ChristyM87 · January 2015

I am an ER RN and I do 3 12's a week. I don't usually do them in a row but sometimes it just works out that way. I am lucky to be on straight days and I don't rotate

cjollyrn · January 2015

I'm an ICU RN. I work 12hr days, but I don't always work all my hours. My unit is super small and closes sometimes, so I only work when we have patients. I used to work my three in a row, especially when I worked nights, just because I wanted the long stretch off. Of course, I wasn't pregnant then, and I've been having trouble working more than two days in a row now.

velsevilla · January 2015

Hello. I'm a BMT RN and I work 12 hour shifts. I try not to work three days in a row because they are very tough, specially pregnant. During the third trimester I work every other day. That usually works for me.

rvaughan1980 · January 2015

Hi...psych RN here. Work 3 12's every other week(nights) plus a part time second job. I've been hardly getting by since this has been an exhausting couple of weeks. I leave the hospital feeling worked to the bone...I hope this gets better.... $:\$

williamsmm2 · January 2015

I am a transplant RN. Luckily they've been keeping me on days lately. I have done three 12s since pregnant and found it to be really exhausting! Also, just this past week I had swollen ankles, I guess from being on them for so long! I asked my job not to schedule me for three in a row if possible... But, I just hit 12 weeks and feel like I am getting my energy back. I usually do 2 days, one off, and then the 3rd. This usually still gives me a good break and I don't get too worn out. BUT I did prefer to do three in a row when I did nights.... Didn't try it pregnant. Good luck! Hopefully your job is really understanding and can work with what's best for you and baby!

2AEllis · January 2015

I'm an RN on a busy Med-Surg unit and I work 3 straight 12hr nights. It's been rough. I find I have to sit down more and I've dipped into the nutrition room and med room for a quick puke a few times. This is my first pregnancy and I plan on cutting down to part time. Maybe 1 or 2 days a week on weekends when hubby can baby duty. But if I'm still coming home wiped I might slow down sooner. The only suggestions I can give are keep super hydrated and snack as often as possible. I know it's hard in our line of work but you can't help others if you aren't helping yourself.

dev85 · January 2015

I'm a telemetry RN I usually work 12s. My unit does a mix of 8s & 12s so I can work either. I just came off of soley 12 hour nights which u liked to do all in row to try to have a normal schedule on days off. I Just Started Classes for BSN so I have been only scheduling 2 12s and pick up when I'm able. A close friend and coworker had a baby in 2014. She tells be that nights works much better for her breastfeeding schedule so I may consider going back to nights.. plus the shift diff $$$

leighalou91 · January 2015

I'm a NICU RN and I work three 12s (days). I don't normally do all three in a row... But the next month or two I have a few of those coming up, so we'll see how that goes!

hmmullen88 · January 2015

I'm an LVN and I work, night shift, 3 12s a week. Occasionally they are together but usually it's 2 then a day or two off then another 2. 3 in a row is so exhausting right now but you gotta do what they schedule you right lol.

aspecialsnowflake · January 2015

I'm an LPN, not an RN yet and I've been having some bad cramping problems so I switched to PRN until I get the ok from OB at my ultrasound tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Bailey1823A · January 2015

Thanks for the insight ladies!

dilutedsanity0 · January 2015

Pediatric RN here. I work tree 12's ( let's be real more like 13's) at night but usually it's 2 then 1. I am actually having a lot of trouble so I'm switching to days

piperpenguin · January 2015

I'm a RN. Recently changed into the NP role and moved away from 12 hour shifts. There's positives and negatives. Positives- consistent schedule, no holidays/weeks, shorter days (good because I am so exhuasted). Negatives- child care would be so much easier if I only worked 3 days a week!

I too know lots of Mamas who would start night shift for the extra money and for childcare. I do not know when those Moms would sleep because they would go home and take care of their children. Crazy, but they did it!

wvReelrn · January 2015

L&D RN. I work 3 12s only days though. Mostly not in a row. 12s are rough but I like only working 3 days instead of 4. I plan on working full time until delivery then going part time/prn.

linaproano · January 2015

I do 3 12's in a level 1 trauma ED. I'm grateful to be so busy and keep my mind off of the fatigue, but it definitely takes a full 24 hrs to recover after working 3 in a row.

wpritcha · January 2015

I'm an RN but recently switched jobs. I work as a case manager in insurance. Five days a week was a major adjustment. Pros and cons to both:) best of luck to you all!

reblynn630 · January 2015

I'm an RN on a very busy tele/med-surg floor. I work 3 12s overnight and I have for over 4 years. I usually don't work 3 (usually 2 then off one-three days then back) in a row but with the troubles I've had sleeping on my days off, I would almost rather exhaust myself so I could come home and get a decent amount of sleep before the next shift. Im pretty much useless on my first day off though- totally wiped out. Definitely hard to recover after 3 in a row.

I'm definitely slower- so far no one has noticed and I haven't told anyone- but I am starting to feel better as I get closer to 12 weeks. My husband begs me to get a day job but I think I'll be just as exhausted- it's just the nature of the job. We had about 5 pregnant girls on nights last year and the night staff was so supportive and helpful, I think it's worth me hanging in there for the next 7 months.
Good luck! We'll get through this!

SassetteSmurfling · January 2015

I'm an RN but we do 8 hour shifts. I really wish we had the option of 12's and we tried talking my boss into it a few years ago but it wasn't happening. I'm currently working evenings but I really want to switch to nights.

bebluntt · January 2015

I'm a psych RN at a state institution which only does 8 hr. shifts. I wish the state offered 10's or 12's, on my side!

gulimz · January 2015

I'm a dialysis RN and I do 14 to 16 hr shifts. It's exhausting, but I used to work nights 7p-7a in a LTACH which was exhausting work. You just have to pace yourself. I know when I worked nights, we would take turns napping on our lunch break. Honestly, I'd rather work 3 12xs then 5 8hr shifts. At least you have 4 days off to rest up. I usually am completely useless on my first day off as I sleep almost the entire day (I'm only 11 weeks and 1st trimester is terrible) and that's OK.

hulahoop1991 · January 2015

I'm an Ortho Trauma RN and I do 12 hour shifts. I've had to ask for my shifts to be spread out over the week I can do two in a row and be knackered for days after, 3 in a row had me feeling like I was gonna crack

aabbis · January 2015

I'm an L&D RN on a busy unit and will only schedule myself two 12s in a row, but prefer one in a row. Doing all three together is just too exhausting, especially 12 hour shifts. Good luck!!!

caros89 · January 2015

I am an ICU RN and I work 7/ 12 hr shifts in a row and it has seriously taken a toll on my body. I work an hour away from my home so that cuts into my sleep even more ;(

MJLamping85 · January 2015

I'm a NICU RN and I've been doing mostly nights too. I like to do all my shifts in a row just to stay on a good sleep schedule and not flip flop as much. I've always loved nights but I am struggling with being pregnant. The fatigue has been out of control! I'm switching to days next month. Good luck with everything!

haleykas · January 2015

I'm an oncology RN and I typically do 3 12 hr nights and then flip and do 3-4 8 hour PMs and then get a week off. I am usually pretty wiped when I'm done but the week off is heavenly!

mrskfried · January 2015

I'm a Cath lab RN working 10-12 hour shifts. Unfortunately yesterday was a very busy day and with the combination of not feeling great, I did not eat a lot. I had to leave a patient's room and became diaphoretic, very pale and had a near syncopal episode. Thank goodness I was surrounded by a bunch of nurses and all was well. Big reminder that no matter how busy it gets or how crummy you feel, always always eat consistently!!!

jess3609 · January 2015

I'm a PACU RN. Do 12hr shifts and take call. I work up to 50hrs/wk sometimes with call. It's exhausting but I love what i do so it's not hard to get through my shifts! I highly suggest thigh high compression stockings, really help with swollen, sore legs! I'm a firm believer that my busy job helped me have DD at 38w!