New nurse working 50/50, not going well

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

Hey there. I am 7 months in to my first hospital job and it's policy that you work 12 hour shifts 50/50 day night rotation (once you hit three years you have the option to go full time days). I'm really struggling with nights. I've always been a morning person and they are very hard on me and my body. I tried different schedules: a month of nights and a month of days/ two weeks nights two weeks days/ randomly doing a night shift in the same week that I work days... nothing really makes me feel any better. I don't sleep well during the day, so I'm a walking zombie on nights, and very nauseous. I tried Prilosec and Tums for my stomach but no effect. I purchased black out curtains, a sound machine, I stop eating/drinking 3 hours before I attempt to go to sleep.... I eventually went to a doctor to get a prescription for trazadone, xanax, and zofran to get to relax enough to get more sleep (slight improvement there, but still struggling) zofran kinda helps when i feel sick but then i get sleepy so.... pros and cons.

Now, I love my unit. My manager is great, my co-workers are great, the experience I am getting is awesome. We all work hard and work as a team. I'm on the ICU and I don't ever want to go to another specialty, or even try another unit because I can't imagine it could ever be better than the one I am on. From the beginning I've felt welcomed and supported. Some days are tough, but that's okay. I can deal with being tripled and without a tech or sec, no complaints. I am good at staying calm when I'm in the middle of a code or talking to a crying or angry family member or patient.

But the nights.... I feel so awful while I work them and I feel like I've tried everything. I know everyone has to do their time.... But I am at the point where once I hit my year to just go PRN and work mainly days at a clinic. I want to tell my manager that I'm struggling with the night shifts (he is a good manager and usually very understanding), but I am nervous about it....

Suggestions? Advice?

Thanks

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Have you tried Melatonin?

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

oh yeah

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

3mg, 5mg, 10mg.... with wine. Either no effect or I'm so knocked out I sleep through my alarm and I am late for work. And then I'm really really tired during my shift.

[LeChien, BSN, RN]

Have you tried Ambien controlled release?

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

Haven't tried Ambien yet. Was thinking about but I've heard horror stories and it makes me nervous. It could be worth a shot... Kinda willing to try anything at this time.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Yes, 3mg, 5mg, 10mg.... with wine. Either no effect or I'm so knocked out I sleep through my alarm and I am late for work. And then I'm really really tired during my shift.

I worked rotation shift as a new grad in ICU. I did best with working night, go to bed at like 9 am - sleep until at least 4 pm. I did use black out curtains, a sleeping mask, ear plugs, air condition in summer, no water or coffee after 4 am but a snack before going to bed. A lot of my co-workers used sleeping pills with good effect. Sometimes I would get nausea in early morning hours and figured out that if I stay busy between 3 and 5 am it is not as bad.

If you can not deal with the nights you could also try to apply at a different place ICU straight days but it is really not that easy to get a position like that.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Haven't tried Ambien yet. Was thinking about but I've heard horror stories and it makes me nervous. It could be worth a shot... Kinda willing to try anything at this time.

Funny enough - ambien does nothing for me but benadryl helps with sleep induction...

Also, if you think you could have sleep apnea you should see a specialist for that.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I would try the lowest dose of Ambien possible. I'm an insomniac. Have been since I was 10 years old. I can take pills that knock most people out and they don't affect me. I don't want to hand out medical advice on here but talk with your doctor about trying the lowest dose of it.

If have other questions you can pm me. I switch up what I do and I have many really good nonpharmcologic things that work well also. My body gets my days and nights mixed up and sometimes I need something to help get me back on the right path.

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

I guess I could get tested for that... The meds could contribute to SA.... But I'm 25yrs old, F, nonsmoker, 130 pounds, no family history of SA, so I feel like it's very unlikely. I slept very well until I started working nights.

I feel like I should also add that I started Prozac a couple months ago... so that's my full medication list. I wasn't on any meds before starting this job....

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Night shift is making you sick," I tried Prilosec and Tums for my stomach but no effect. I purchased black out curtains, a sound machine, I stop eating/drinking 3 hours before I attempt to go to sleep.... I eventually went to a doctor to get a prescription for trazadone, xanax, and zofran to get to relax enough to get more sleep " That rotation is especially brutal.

You have enough hours in to apply for FEMLA.

No one should have to medicate there self with three drugs to do their job.

P.S. your "doctor" is a jerk , find a provider that treats you .. instead of drugging you

[nutella, MSN, RN]

I guess I could get tested for that... The meds could contribute to SA.... But I'm 25yrs old, F, nonsmoker, 130 pounds, no family history of SA, so I feel like it's very unlikely. I slept very well until I started working nights.

I feel like I should also add that I started Prozac a couple months ago... so that's my full medication list. I wasn't on any meds before starting this job....

Oh yeah and there are also some apps that can help with sleep - I use them at times - if you google "Andrew Johnson" or look at the itune store - he has some basic apps that are for free.