How to sleep for first night shift?

Hpy_Vly_RNBSN · Nov 21, 2014

I regularly work different shifts Mostly nights but some days My body honestly never knows when to sleep and when to be awake I normally sleep the whole night before a night shift get up on time and do what needs to be done Then I will sleep from 2-430 during the day before my night shift. It works great for me I use Advil PM almost every night as well to maximize sleep time.

Stella_Blue · Nov 21, 2014

I have worked nights for 6 years now. I only pull 8 hour shifts. Every 2 weeks I get 4 days off in a row and a lot of those times my body reverts itself back to something like a 2nd shift schedule, and then I have to start all over again. What I generally do is wake up around noon or so, stay up for the day and get a nap in from about 6 or 7 until 10. I have to be at work at 11 so switch your hours to fit your schedule. I find a nice 3 or 4 hour nap right before I have to start getting ready for work is the best suite for me.

iPink, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2014

Everyone does it differently. I switched from working day shift to night shift and it was trial and error for me to come up with a regimen to help me survive working nights.

If I worked Sunday night, I go to bed as normal Saturday night and get up around 7:30a-8a Sunday morning. That's the time my body naturally wakes up without an alarm clock. After eating breakfast and doing what I need to do during the day, I then go back to bed around 1p-4p. Those three additional hours of "nap" time keep me fully awake at work for 12hours+. I have coworkers who don't sleep the night before. I personally couldn't do it.

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Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Nov 21, 2014

After many years of working rotating 12 hour shifts and having to be up at 0640 on my weekdays off, I've learned that for me, it works best if I stay up a bit later than usual on the night before. I get up at my usual time if it's a weekday night I'm working then when my handicapped son leaves for his day program, I go right back to bed. I sleep until noon or 1300, then get up. I don't do anything too strenuous. I can't nap later in the day but find that going back to sleep after being up for an hour or so is much easier. A little melatonin (1.5mg is lots) makes it easier to fall back to sleep too. I used to get up and stay up but I can't do that any more. I'm just too old.

Hobberdog · Nov 22, 2014

I agree with iPink. I have tried staying up late and sleeping in the next day. That was probably my worst night of work ever. I have been on nights for a few months now and I find that taking a good 4 hour nap before work is all I need. I would try this first and then make adjustments where you need to in order to find what works for you.

Good luck.

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2014

I work 3 12 hour night shifts a week. The key for me is to eat and sleep as if I am working 7 days a week. I force myself to stay up as late as I can (usually until dawn) on my nights off, then sleep most of the day until 1600 or so every day. I eat meals at the same time a day whether I am working or not. It took a couple of weeks to get my body used to it, but it works and I don't feel any more tired than I would if I worked days.

loriangel14, RN · Nov 22, 2014

My first night shift is Sunday into Monday. How do I sleep for it?
Stay up all night Saturday night so I can sleep Sunday during the day to be up all night for work that night?
Thanks!!!

That's what i do.

Girlafraid13 · Nov 22, 2014

I go to school weekday mornings and work graveyard shift weekends usually try to stay up as late as possible the night before. Doesn't always happen but I try to stay in bed as long as possible the morning of night shift.

crj96 · Nov 22, 2014

I always try to just take a long nap the afternoon before my night shift. So if I'm going in for a Sunday night, I would try to sleep from 1-4 or 2-4, get up and have some dinner, then head in to work.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Nov 22, 2014

Tonight is my first night and honestly all I did was nap two hours before and I feel fine. I still have four hours left but did not expect to feel this alert regardless. If you're a caffeine consumer I'd suggest some beforehand. I did have a red bull and carry around caffeine supplements if I need a pick-me-up but haven't had to yet.

Girlafraid13 · Nov 22, 2014

Tonight is my first night and honestly all I did was nap two hours before and I feel fine. I still have four hours left but did not expect to feel this alert regardless. If you're a caffeine consumer I'd suggest some beforehand. I did have a red bull and carry around caffeine supplements if I need a pick-me-up but haven't had to yet.

Sometimes it's those last 2-3 hours that are killer.