any suggestion is welcome

[jlsther]

I have recently changed jobs from a nursing supervisor to an icu stepdown floor nurse at a different hopsital. i like my job. i loved my previous job but there had to b a change made and i was the dispensible one. my question is...i had to stop working night shift because i quit sleeping and felt horrible. i tried medications but they made me feel "drunk" all the time. at my new job i have to work days and nights. i was scheduled 4 nights in a row. i worked 2 with no problem other than i didnt sleep for 2 days and on the 3rd i had to call in sick because i was an emotional mess, hadnt slept and felt totally unsafe to perform my duties. i never call in sick and have huge guilt about this and know that i cannot work nights. i feel that i am being a terrible person and just complaining but i am physically ill and mentally a wreck. what can i do?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Your body cannot handle working nights. It's that simple.

You are well on your way to being physically ill .....from trying to force your self into a circadian rhythm that ...

YOU CANNOT HANDLE! (And that's okay)

Please, get your doctor to examine you and document your physical and mental issues with night shift .

Take some time off while you find a day job, or your facility realizes they would rather have you on days, than lose you .

Hats off to people that can handle nights. I never could and never felt any guilt about it.

[8mpg]

Have you tried Nuvigil? I have a few people in my department who use it only on work days and they say it is great. I have not taken it myself.