tired at work

[cece123]

is there anybody else that works 12 hr shifts at a hospital? how do you cope cause i am just 17 weeks and already knackered. And a what stage would you go on maternity leave?

I don't work 12 hour shifts (or in a hospital!) but I just wanted to say I sympathise - I find it hard enough commuting then working 8 hours, I can't imagine having to do another 4 hours on top of that.

Can you speak to your manager and see if there are any changes they could make to make things easier for you?

I know how you feel about being tired. I'm at college two full days, college placement three days and work 4 shifts a week. I'm constantly shattered at only 12-13 weeks and keep worrying I'm not going to last till i go on maternity leave! The only thing i've been able 2 do is go for a wee nap when I can squeeze it in! No one told me it would be this tiring so early on! Anyway rant over good luck xx

I work in a hospital, but have only ever done short shifts (8hrs instead of 12 except the nightshifts which are always 12hrs). In my hospital nurses can do either. Most people I know who do 12hr shifts change to the shorter shifts at some point during their pregnancy. Is that an option for you? I am literally the only nurse on my ward who only does shorter shifts. Everyone else either only does 12hr shifts or does a mixture. Is your manager sympathetic and does he/she have any suggestions? Is it possibly (financially and practically) to cut down your hours from now until maternity leave so you do less shifts? I am 25 weeks and could not cope with 12hr shifts (although I do survive the nightshifts). I am planning to start my maternity leave at 36 weeks, but this is my first pregnancy so I have no idea how I will manage until then.

I do 13.5 hour shifts and have no idea how i'll be coping in a few weeks (am only 5 weeks now)
Think I might ask to switch to short shifts but that will mean working 5 days a week instead of 3 - I love my days off during the week so don't fancy giving them up unless I really have to.
Not sure about when i'll go on maternity leave yet - when I tell work i'll ask what people usually do. I'll have loads of annual leave to take so will prob take this before the start of my maternity leave to give me some extra time off.

I only volunteer for 3 afternoons/mornings a week in school where I am sat and I am completely knackered at that, so you have my sympathy and all I can say is well done! I'm counting down to half term when I finish lol.