[Tait]

This might be way out in left field, but maybe you are stressed.

I know when I have been off a few days I find it very hard to sleep the day before a new shift for the week. Maybe the new responsibilities of day shift (docs, orders, procedures) vs night shift (charts, monitoring etc) have you stressing more than you need/want to be.

I would look at how work is affecting you in this new role.

Best of luck,

Tait of the NOC shift.

[aussiemags]

Originally Posted by Tait

I find it very hard to sleep the day before a new shift for the week. Maybe the new responsibilities of day shift (docs, orders, procedures) vs night shift (charts, monitoring etc) have you stressing more than you need/want to be.

I agree. Having worked permanent night duty I found it incredibly difficult to return to day light hours. And I didnt even have perfect sleep whilst on nights so it wasnt as if my body had fully adjusted that way either. I have now been back on permanent earlies for 2 years. Sorry - still dont sleep well. FOr me it was worsened dramatically by menopause. Could hormones be a factor?
I agree that it could be the stress of day shift. COuld it be that you are so busy whilst at work, then busy at the end of your day that you just dont relax enough to sleep? Then plagued by the horror of horrors that all nurses know - watching the clock tick by and thinking things like "Oh no I have to get up in 6 hours....5 hours...4 hours..."
I am at the point of considering returning to nights - although my partner would probably leave me if i did!

[chenoaspirit]

Originally Posted by Dolce

Houston, we have a problem.....

Boy, I don't know what to tell you. Have you tried chamomile tea?

lol, first of all, Ive had the script of valium for 2 years and still have them, so it is NOT a common thing for me to take valium. I guess saying I took valium did sound bad. I was desperate so I took 1 1/2 tab. Just thought I'd clear that up.

[Tweety]

I know what you mean. I hard a hard time after working 13 years of nights. Usually I'm so exhausted I can fall asleep, but staying asleep has always been a challenge. I use benadry and Valarian. When I wake up at 2AM and can't get back to sleep, I count my breaths from 100 down to zero, putting all thoughts other than my breath and the slow counting backwards and never make it to zero. I try not to get up and go to the computer, I try to stay in bed and focused on my breathing.

[chenoaspirit]

Thanks guys for all the advice. I am going to try the melatonin, is that over the counter? Yes, stress does probably play a huge role in it. Dayshift is driving me insane. I cant keep up, can never find a chart, am constantly sending a patient to surgery, postop-ing them, scheduling, calling, etc etc. Im not used to all the drama and excitement. Yes, nightshift was horribly busy, but in a totally different way. I didnt have to deal with all the families, phonecalls, doctors, PT, pharmacy, etc. 3p-3a would be my dream schedule! I am not a morning person and I hate going to bed early. Also, someone mentioned hormones, I just had a hyserectomy in October. Hmmmm, alot to ponder! My body is a disasterous mess right now. I ache all over and am drained. Thanks guys for all the advice...it gave me alot to think about.