Anyone else struggle keeping the house clean while doing 12 hour shifts?

[TheresNoFudgeHere]

I’m a nurse working in a very busy ward, and my rota recently has been 3 12.5 hour shifts on, 2 off, 3 on again, 2 off and 3 on.

When I get home at night all I have time for is to eat, shower then sleep, so everything just gets left in a mess.
On my days off I’m so exhausted from the shifts that I can’t get the energy to just start sorting the house, I just need to relax. And then I’ve not spoken to any friends/family for that 3 days so often I’m rushing about seeing people, not to mention general life admin/food shopping and then before I know it it’s back to work

Then I get so stressed the house is in such a state. I completely know I just need to make
time for it, but I just wondered does anyone else struggle with this or is it just me not managing?

I would say what’s lacking is a routine. I’d second a lot suggestions already made. Quickly wash your tubs when you come in - I know it’s the last thing you want to do, I work 12 hour shifts and feel the same. It makes such a difference to put clothes straight in the washing machine ready for a load after a shower, wash up and leave to drain and quickly wipe over the sides/whatever needs doing.
I also clean the bathroom whilst using it - antibac the toilet whilst waiting for the shower to get up to temperature, rubbish straight in bathroom bin and wipe over shower glass when I get out

I understand your troubles. I am a nurse too. Go for a job which allow you a life. It's not worth it your schedule.

Put everything away as you use it, shower spray, put waste in a bin
Dump containers in hot soapy water to soak while you are in the shower, rinse, dry, reuse
Prep salad, fruit, crackers for the next batch of shifts only
Porridge pots
Robot hoover

I always prioritised 2 hours for a clean and laundry , then shop, THEN go out .
I hate coming home knowing it's a tip and there's no food or clean laundry.

I’m a nurse working full time, 3 x 12.5 hour shifts a week: you must be working overtime for your shift pattern to be as you describe. Could you cut down on the extra hours?

How do you leave shampoo out when you’ve had a
shower? Just shut the lid and put it back wherever it lives in the shower rack / on the side. Same with toilet rolls etc, just put them in the bathroom bin instead of leaving them out on the side. Run a sink of washing up water, throw your lunch tubs in while you cook dinner, then rinse and add in anything you use cooking as you go. You take the bin out with you in a morning when you’re on your way out to work. Wipe worktops down when you’ve finished cooking, put dirty clothes in the laundry basket when you take them off and hang up new ones, etc. putting things away or in the bin takes seconds compared to leaving them out.

When I was out the house 12 hours a day, five days a week and lived alone - I got a cleaner.

It seemed like an indulgence but it was actually lovely to not have to spend precious free time cleaning and just come home one day to house being spotless.

Robohoover - Eufy is good and not too expensive- sorts out most of the vacuuming issue.
Unfortunately I do think you need to take time to clear up as you go, otherwise things do get overwhelming quickly.

Coming home after a 12 hour shift caring and giving out energy all day is exhausting. I am not the best housekeeper but l am fast. So all those things you mentioned l would do while dinner is cooking. Fast/ fast. One day have no cook salad dinner with tinned tuna or salmon so ready in a sec. Make that your race around evening.
Make yourself wash those lunch boxes..one minute leads to better head space. Keep kitchen counters free which will lift your spirits when you get in. If l put on the kettle l use those minutes to put on a wash/ sweep the floor or whatever. It's amazing what you can do in that little time.
And you are right to go out all day on your day off but do 15 minutes before you go. Your reward will be coming home to a bit of order.
Just to add l couldn't have a cat in those circumstances as it would be a constant stress for me.