Irina- Speaking as a CNA of several years who worked nights in long term care... you MUST take care of your back. How physically dependent are these folks? Are you lifting people by yourself? When you say wake/wash/feed 14 elderly people, do you mean your caregiver to patient ratio is 1:14???
If you're having to lift people by yourself, you need to find a way to have someone help you with the lifting. You WILL do yourself a permanent injury and you will NOT be able to continue working in this field if you keep on this road.
What was the motion/lift you were doing when you first started hurting? Was it one single thing, or the culmination of a shift (get home and go OMG MY BACK)?
Have you had training on how to lift/move people? It's a lot different from lifting/moving inanimate objects. Especially if these people have physical disability that prevents them from moving normally. If your workplace hasn't provided training PLEASE do some self education... Google/Youtube videos on "patient transfers" and "CNA/Nurse Lifting Mechanics."
If you play the hero, you will land yourself in major trouble.
On the night shift and food thing, nights play havoc on your body. Make sure you drink tons of water and get enough sleep!! I gained lots of weight working nights, full time RN school (chronic sleep deprivation)... take foods that are on plan with you, and force yourself to snack/graze throughout the night if that is your awake "workday"- how long is your shift?
Also, get up and MOVE... walk laps around the unit/floor, don't just spend the whole night stretch until morning rush sitting... I dropped weight once I started working on a busy hospital floor where I walk 4-ish miles on a busy day just working the floor!
Jekel- Boy do I hear you on that 19-07 lol... I still work some, but not nearly as much as I was when I was full time nights. I'm spoiled now by my day shifts!
Moon- Hey, it's a start! Hope the DD settles down soon... oh, middle school... so prone to drama those ones... I can send you pictures of me homeschooled and as the uber-nerd in high school, and then some of my "now" pictures if it will reassure her that yes, it does get better... ;-)
Well, looks like it's coffee and water for me today... had a protein bar for breakfast, got a salad waiting for lunch, but I'm stuck sitting all day in the same room at work today... safety monitoring. Woo... means lots of coffee to stay alert, water to chase the caffeine, and bathroom breaks to alleviate the boredom! (And my bladder...) Just what every girl wants for her birthday, right? Overtime?
Hubby fixing dinner tonight, grilled salmon and asparagus. Yum!
Have a lovely Sunday, folks!