night shift as a doctor (75 hr work week) | Dr. Rachel Southard

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Disclaimer: The individuals portrayed or mentioned in this video are not real patients but rather fictional representations created for illustrative purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The content presented is intended for educational or entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or diagnosis. Viewer discretion is advised.

[@Jaguar24-r5m]

The irony of the healthcare industry being one of the least healthy places to work

[@RachelSouthard]

🫢🤭

[@MHSMagicLuver]

Literally. As well as one of the highest suicide rates as far as professions go. Sadly.

[@gef352]

They have you work long hours, poorly paid to build up resiliency and have you gain experience on low sleep and energy? Nah, they're just exploiting you, because they can. Nobody should be working those hours

[@clairstrange4362]

This just breaks my heart 💔

[@gef352]

I think you do an great job of saying that last part frequently on here (so definitely not meaning that comment in an antagonistic way). I'm sorry that residency is set up how it is, and I wish it would change soon for your sake. You shouldn't have to go through these grueling (and unnecessary) hours. Especially not while being paid so low for your vital work.

[@RachelSouthard]

🙁

[@christinereyes884]

I don't know the way it feels to be a resident physician but as a nurse, I see it. Healthcare is no joke and not something school prepares you for. It is not only physically exhausting but mentally or emotionally exhausting. I never knew what nursing entailed until I entered the field. After working nights 2 years, the diet being thrown off or not knowing what day it is... its ALL a thing. You got this, and hope everything starts getting better for you 😷💜

[@hubear6607]

I love that no matter how hard it is and how insane life has been, you are still sharing as much as possible; and i love seeing your experience... You are awesome, keep going

[@RachelSouthard]

😭😭 thanks bby. Love you

[@kristimarie4655]

Maybe consider a meal service like Factor or a local meal prep service? It would offer healthy meals & take the burden of thinking about meals on shifts.

[@mingliapbio]

Exercise is a form of hormesis- a stress to your body. Low dose is good for you but high dose isn't. Your body is stressed out by being on night shift, skipping meals, not having enough sleep, dealing with physical & emotional stress on the job. You don't need more stress at this point. I'd skip exercise and prioritize nutrition & sleep, especially on night shift. We all choose our battles. Thank god I chose psych!

[@RachelSouthard]

I really need the exercise. It makes me feel better, so that’s why I do it. It’s eustress, not distress.

[@dash0173]

You definitely cannot make such a claim based on a 16 minute video. I personally thrive when i am consistent in getting exercise in. seems like you may not be but thats not the same for everyone.

[@LoreleiSiren277]

it is really weird how people keep saying how you shouldnt say you are tired. What are you supposed to say then? You are allowed to be tired and express you are. Its not as if you didnt know this was going to be your life, you knew going into medicine would be the toughest thing imaginable and you dont always have to be smiling and 100% positive especially with todays medical field and how it treats both physicians and patients. Keep doing what you are doing Dr. Rachel, You inspire me alot to continue onto medical school and beyond.

[@Bcdf-ei9el]

Thanks for being so transparent...it was a very refreshing vlog to watch...everything straight to the point...

[@RachelSouthard]

💕💕

[@tawannapollock8856]

You are doing outstanding work, and I love how transparent you are. Thank you so much for all you do!

[@meghangantt717]

I am here for the stories about patients on your shifts! Love your vids but those are always my favorite part!

[@libbygarcia6354]

Thank you for working so hard at this amazing job you have!! 💕

[@aylintorresss]

I look forward for your videos every week thank you for the rawness I am currently an undergrad hoping to pursue my career as an interventional radiologist 💕

[@fatemaxyz]

i love how dedicated u are to us and to youtube and i appreciate it more than u can imagine as a medical student who is interested in ob gyn/surgery. so thank you for the dedication and i love you and i wish i could make u feel less tired. 🥺❤❤❤❤

[@AmandaShawxo]

As always Rachel, you are an inspiration! Night shift is tough but you are tougher :) glad those babies got to see your smiling face when they entered the world 😃

[@vallyp]

currently doing my OB rotation for nursing school and i love that i know the terminology you are using ^.^

[@taylorpatterson9748]

Hey Rachel, Just wanted to thank you for the videos, started watching you 2-3 years ago when I was applying to medical school, now about to take my last exam of preclinical. You keep inspiring me! Hope residency continues to go well for you!

[@tripuravosuri7845]

it is so hard to watch you be chronically exhausted, but it is amazing to watch how resilient you are. you are amazing. i hope i am at least 5% of a physician that you are

[@aliciad.2938]

Rachel, I have been watching you for several years now. I started watching you right before I started Med school in 2021. I was just looking for “virtual mentors” if you will because I had no idea about where to start. Anyway, I have enjoyed watching your journey and appreciate these authentic videos. I’m now just over halfway done with my 3rd year and have declared OB/GYN as my intended specialty. I haven’t found many residents who are able to keep up with vlogging their experience and I’m BIG on “day in my life” type content to try to get a sense of what my future may look like. Thank you for even finding the time to do this! I’m wishing you the absolute best as you navigate this difficult part of your journey!

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

Good morning Rachel happy Sunday morning and I loved your vlogs and you are amazing Supporter and I'm proud of you

[@Uhhit67]

Rachel, i want to express how thankful i am for you choosing to post this. You give so much strength to others by being so raw and honest about your experience in the health care field. We are all so proud of you, thank you for your service❤️. It’s insane to see health workers be deprived of their health as they are helping others.

[@shandisfancher8766]

Happy Valentine’s Day Rachel 🩷 lovely video as always - I pray you get a good “night’s” rest soon 🥰

[@RachelSouthard]

Shandis! Thank you. Happy Valentine’s Day 💕 love you always

[@ghadeerhakem74]

You are an inspiration rachel ❤ keep being you u r doing so good

[@hester6821]

Hi! I'm a nursing student in New Zealand and I've been listening to your videos while I study! It is so nice seeing how committed you are to your field and it makes me really excited to graduate and start helping people too. Look after yourself ❤

[@cestlavieeeee]

you are my hero Rachel!

[@tanyamartinez1007]

I know them night shifts are tough…stay strong girl! You got this!

[@graced665]

Your videos make my week and your hard work inspires me ❤ sincerely, 2nd year DO student in the process of studying for boards 😅

[@RachelSouthard]

Good luck on your boards!!!

[@paulaa5866]

you're one of my inspirations to work hard, thank you for sharing your experience and day to day with us ♡

[@Pearlss93]

I loved the self care! No matter, how much you’re going through, you still manage to incorporate that. Can you share about the nail gel products you buy? ❤

[@RachelSouthard]

I think it’s in my Amazon store front in my bio-if not, I’ll try to find it and put it there in the next few days!

[@Pearlss93]

@@RachelSouthard awesome! I’ll check it out, thank you :)

[@tara_not_tara]

Loved this video. You made it 🎉

[@MHSMagicLuver]

I’m a PA and not in OBGYN (was in family med but currently interviewing for family med, internal med, and wound care) but I love seeing your videos. In PA school on clinicals out max we were able to be worked was 80 hours a week and one of my classmates was doing the 80 hours a week (and our rotations were 6 weeks each). My max was 50 hours and even that I was exhausting (of course I was going home and studying as well).

[@Gladioli10]

Loved this vlog

[@KaylaJPaige]

Also when other healthcare providers work nights it’s 3 shift, possibly 4 max per week if they’re 12s. They are not approaching 80 hours per week like residents are. Sincerely, someone who worked nights for 2 years in the hospital and is now a 3rd year med student working with residents daily.

[@RachelSouthard]

Nights are kinda amazing tbh. Aside from the poor sleep/eating schedule.

[@michellebeno6577]

I work nightshift in the lab and the max I let myself work is 52 hours. And I'm dead. The max the hospital lets us work is 60 hours. And no we don't get to lay down/nap, but I wish we did. So take that advantage of being a resident because your job is a lot harder!!

[@mrs.g8839]

Those digestive cookies are soooooo good!! I discovered them on a trip to England. Yummy!

[@RachelSouthard]

Delicious!

[@amyc4406]

I remember when I was working full time, going to school and doing clinical to become a Surgical Technologist. I only slept 4 hours a night! To me, that’s a nap! LoL. It was ROUGH!!! I never knew your brain can like shut down and stop absorbing information. I don’t miss those days! But..I made it❤❗️

[@Melissa_woodcock]

My favourite times to watch your videos are when I’m coming off of nights LOL. Sometimes I feel like the only person around me that struggles with shift work in healthcare and being tired allll the time. Girl same. And I only work 48-60ish hours a week as an ICU nurse so

[@fatemaxyz]

hii how are u u may be taking a break but i wanted to say please dont give up vlogging i always wait for ur videos

[@tdanielle23]

Im very introverted and switched to night shift about a year and a half ago and have loved it. Im getting my masters in education now and scared about the schedule change 😅 night shift is honestly the best once youre used to it.

[@victorialocklin29]

you got this! We are ROOTING for you!!!

[@RachelSouthard]

Love you

[@doctorharry]

In the Building waiting from Baltimore MD 😎

[@bernadineh7107]

I always super prep before sets of nights. Making or having meals in the freezer and/or fridge, lots of snacks, berries etc ready to go. I eat dinner before going, breakfast when get home & snack as can over night. I don't think its useful comparing between specialities as a junior because ALL have their crazy crisis moments, their stupid busy times, the things that are not particularly great and the things that are amazing.

[@cynthiamaldonado536]

I went through residency with two kids, balance is hard to find. I would come out of night shifts have to pack lunch and get my kids ready for school. Grocery shop and take care of yourself to keep your self going!

[@ElaineSharon358]

You are a rockstar ❤🎉

[@doctorharry]

In the Building watching from Baltimore MD 😎😎😎

[@kylamaupin9668]

Maybe try the viral sleepy girl mocktail! People are saying it helps with better/longer sleep maybe will help you sleep a little longer!

[@all4honor]

I have noticed a trend with Dr. Southard and other Docs. As soon as they graduate from med school, they never hit the books anymore. I understand school is over but I feel the learning curve is still active. TY in advance from anyone who can explain it better or answer my question. Take Care of yourself Dr. Southard your my favorite Dr. and still my hero.

[@sufiahussain811]

Hii Medical Student here! Although I'm not a resident, I do know many residents in the hospital I shadow in. The learning is more "passive". You learn during the rounds, when attending physicians/co-residents/nurses are explaining to you in real time. There are also boards and exams that must be prepared for. She completed her comlex a couple months back where she was studying and in recent weeks has been taking exams for an incoming OBGYN board exam she will be taking. (She mentioned learning via doing questionbanks which is an excellent learning tool) She may not necessarily be "hitting the books" but there are other ways to learn other than textbooks and in my personal opinion learning from experienced health care workers is far more valuable as they impart the real like clinician knowledge that textbooks are often lacking. Also just to give perspective, if Rachel isn't even getting enough sleep to function as a human do you really think she has time to be hitting the books? If she is learning in so many other ways, do you think its necessary for her to do that? If there is a concept she isn't understanding then she would learn more about it from the books but that phase of her life is done. Now all learning that will be done will mostly be done in other ways which are still very valid methods of learning. Hope that gives some perspective to you. Cheers!

[@user-me1ql4yf5s]

Put Kerrygold butter on those digestive biscuits. Such a good combination 😊

[@RachelSouthard]

Oh!?! Thanks for the rec!

[@randomgaygirl]

I do agree with you on working out or doing some exercises but I would recommend (as a nursing student) to really keep eating vitamins and minerals because only eating cookies is not really good for your body in the long run ❣

[@Rania-1237]

Got it girl ❤🎉

[@Nur.H]

Your videos inspired me to study hard for the MCAT

[@caskett8898]

so cool AND a troye sivan stan? we LOVE

[@sarapurdy6468]

You are made of magic and tough stuff ✨✨

[@RachelSouthard]

Tough stuff🥹

[@chronos401]

From what I've read, humans used to be biphasic sleepers before the industrial age. They usually slept for two hours then were awake doing whatever for two or three hours then had their longer second sleep. Spain has a biphasic pattern. The siesta is from ~2 pm to ~6 pm. The second sleep starts somewhere between 2 am - 8 am. Perhaps try a biphasic or multiphasic sleep with each phase at least one sleep cycle long. I've worked rotating shifts in a different profession. I hated it and never gained endurance. I sympathize with how tired you are.

[@tonimcguire8588]

I take lavender capsule that help me sleep. I have been having a hard time stying lees too and I’ve found that this helps

[@melindanagy6582]

I send a lot of love, and hugs from hungary ❤ you are a hero! 😊 by the way you can write when you will have some time, why you don't go to nail salon anymore 🥰 I am curious about your opinion.

[@RachelSouthard]

Love you! Hugs back. I don’t go cause I don’t have time ):

[@melindanagy6582]

@@RachelSouthard totally understandable 😊❤️

[@premedem]

My experience shadowing at a hospital on the Labor & Delivery floor I mostly saw the nurses sitting in the nurses station on their phones 🤔

[@katiekent683]

I am going to get a T-shirt that says " I am very Tired". I understand

[@okechukwuanudokem2060]

wow 3x speed is the perfect rate to watch this videos .

[@RachelSouthard]

Yah

[@cestlavieeeee]

can you share the link for the gel nail kit you got? 🙏

[@user-yj7es4iv2i]

On my nights I’m usually craving a coke, but trying 2 b healthy so ill jus guzzle water really after my meal break

[@CharlieRenee]

as a medical student, I am terrified of night shifts. One thing I would hate to sacrifice is a sleep schedule 😭

[@fernandebranch1699]

Hi Rachel, are residents able to put in time off requests?

[@lovelyyuliaa]

As a patient of the US healthsystem, please lay down and sleep during your shifts lol. I'm a nurse and I know how tired and dangerous that can be for healthcare workers.

[@VejenTilSygeplejerske]

Who's ultrasound pictures is it on the fridge (under the big magnet) at 9:25 ??

[@chantillyyakes7714]

Will you have to work these 70-80 hour weeks for your entire residency? Like is your PGY2-PGY4 a little more chill? I just don't understand the reason why interns get beat up their first year as a doctor 😕

[@queenbutterfly4888]

I do night shift and after 3 nights I want to cry

[@RachelSouthard]

Rough! Nights are fun, no!?☺️

[@Spicytots5]

What is your favorite surgery to perform so far??

[@RachelSouthard]

A cesarean section!

[@S_21245]

All of this truly is not "normal". It should not be considered part of the learning process to exhaust your capacities. At no stage of your education it is helpful to demand people to work on 3h of sleep. The problem is that the system is not provided with enough staff to ensure that everyone maintains a healthy work-life balance. But this is not normal, it's just the exploitation to maximize income and minimize staff-expansions. :( you are so strong and resilient already (honestly you learned enough about that during your medical school time). I am already so happy for you when this is over!

[@liliab9522]

I prefer 3am chocolate chip cookies lol whatever it takes to stay awake 😂

[@elenakaiser9709]

Hi Rachel- always love watching your videos. I am an optom student in australia but am wondering if you have any dressy womens shoes that your swear by for work- that are comfy and look nice(black preferably). would love any feedback

[@RachelSouthard]

Rothy’s!

[@elenakaiser9709]

@@RachelSouthard ❤

[@Mila-Sapphire]

Definitely prioritize your sleep and figuring out why you can't sleep longer than 5hrs. It's very unsafe for our patients to be so exhausted. I use a manta mask to block light. No caffeine after 3 or 4. Try yoga & meditation if you do wake up early rather than going out into the light and doing high intensity activities that further mess up your circadian rhythm and put your body under additional physical stress. Sleep is more important than exercise. Exercise on your days off.

[@RachelSouthard]

I would like to sleep longer, but nights make it difficult. Being on a nocturnal schedule is NOT normal. Working out before a 14hr shift energizes me, if anything to be awake and ready to work. And if i only exercised on days off, I'd exercise once every 2 weeks.. that's NOT good.

[@Mila-Sapphire]

@@RachelSouthard I'm on nights too, asleep by 0930/1000 and up at 1730. You don't seem very energized after working out before work, you honestly look and sound completely depleted. You're very physically active during a shift, you don't need to worry about expending additional energy & calories on those days anyway, especially if you're not eating. I wonder if your relationship with exercise is a healthy one or maybe something to be explored further. Perhaps finding a less physically exerting hobby to manage your anxiety and stress on workdays would benefit you more.

[@RachelSouthard]

I appreciate you lookin out, I really do. 🙂 but I know me best!

[@Mila-Sapphire]

@@RachelSouthard for your sake, and for the safety of patients, I hope so. Take care of yourself and be kind to yourself 😉. You deserve to rest.

[@RachelSouthard]

💕💕😊

[@ChristianGonzalez-ri1jx]

do you plan to do a fellowship, Dr. Southard?

[@RachelSouthard]

Nope!

[@dpacc88]

Rule number 1: NEVER ask for a good shift...because you will get a bad shift 😂

[@kyliepli]

BREAKING NEWS RACHEL IS STILL TIRED MORE AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR

[@RachelSouthard]

HAHA yes THIS

[@smkilmer95]

It kinda freaks me out that they let physicians work with such sleep deficits when we know what that does to decision making and our ability to think properly. Like the person cutting me open hasn't slept for more than 5 hours a night in a month? No thanks 😯 Imagine how much safer it would be for patients if their doctors were actually well rested? Like I trust that you're good at your job, but I know my brain doesn't work well if I'm tired and I don't have to save lives.

[@RachelSouthard]

I guess we’re just bUiLT diFfEReNT🤪 jk not really haha

[@kelliroberts]

Would ZMA help you sleep?

[@Odiekins]

Are you a snoozer? I struggle so hard with that 😂

[@RachelSouthard]

I don’t snooze! I actually didn’t set alarms on my night shift because I would wake up early without one anyways 😒

[@aworm]

For some reason something tells me Rachel is tired

[@RachelSouthard]

Yeah, I’m honestly gettin the same vibes.

[@stephanieoregan]

Full Moon 😁

[@RachelSouthard]

😅

[@misolasis12]

You look very beautiful 😊

[@RachelSouthard]

Thank you 😊

[@CoolsBreeze]

I think the word "tired" was said at least 500 times this video lol. I don't know how you were able to truck along with eating so little. I would be dead after the first day.

[@jeandonovan8640]

After 12 hour shifts I would come home and eat cereal.

[@IK-fg4gw]

❤❤

[@butterpecanrican_]

Have any patients ever recognized you?

[@lovelyyuliaa]

Doordash groceries like oven and microwave meals and fruit? I am not looking forward to being this busy again as u are 😢

[@Azia222]

How many hours is your shift?

[@RachelSouthard]

On nights, it’s 14

[@RestfulRoom]

Please do not say smokes or sh* next to holy. Heavens deserve much better and are never to blame. May you be blessed.

[@RachelSouthard]

Holy moly!

[@jackiebeans2689]

💕💕💕💕💫

[@cynthiarivera3725]

🙏❤️🫶

[@CaitiCat]

okay whoaaaa. how are other doctors so completely oblivious. working nights as an attending physician every night is significnatly differnet than "nights" in residency. a consistent schedule on nights is a routine. nights in residency is a constant flip flop which never allows your body time to adjust before youre switching it again.....why do other doctors have a complete inability to empathize with others.

[@ibraheem1508]

please please pleeaaase please stop saying im tired because it just gives me negative energy....

[@RachelSouthard]

But I am tired.

[@ibraheem1508]

@@RachelSouthardHope it gets better, best wishes❤️