First year nurse, feel so miserable and alone

[stacylethani]

I'm just a few short months away from hitting my one year mark as a new nurse. I have my dream job, amazing coworkers, an amazing boss, and I work with the most amazing kiddos and families every day.

But the honest truth? I feel so miserable and alone. I'm on nights so whenever I'm awake, the rest of the world is asleep. My roommate and I are super close but literally never see each other (maybe 1 day/week if we're lucky.)

im so tired all the time, all I want to do on my few and far between days off is sleep. I feel so alone. I want to meet new friends, I want to meet a guy, but how the heck do you do that when your life is the opposite of everyone else's?

I feel so lonely and being single makes it so much worse but at work, I'm surrounded by girls, I can't seem to find any nice guys when I do finally muster the energy to go out and I'm starting to feel hopeless. My family is a few states away and I only see them every few months.

At this point, I feel numb. I'm just going through the motions of everything and not actually enjoying anything... I hate this person I've become, especially since "on paper" everything looks like it's worked out perfectly for me.

[Myca84]

Oh, that was so sad. My heart broke a little for you. My first year on nights was rough also. You are going to have a full year behind you! Congratulations! There is no reason not to put in a transfer request for the next day position, or be put on the wait list. You could also consider travel nursing now or check out other opportunities on day shift. You can always come back to night shift. Start looking at other options for yourself because you should not be unhappy.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Some people can do nights, I appreciate them.

I could never do it. It messed with my mind, body, and soul. Finish your first year and get on day shift.

Then work on the romance part.

Best wishes.

Definitely agree. It would be the wrong time to start a relationship when you're so adversely affected by the night shift. (Plus, if you did meet someone, it'd be difficult when you switched to days...)

[Neats, BSN]

Best laid plans will always go askew....

You are a new nurse who works in a very great place with supportive co-workers and leaders. You have a good room mate situation at home with the exception of working nights.

Keep up the good work of working and being a productive member of society. Working nights was never my thing I do not like nights I am a morning person real early morning. My favorite hours would be 6AM to 3PM.

I do know staff who have been successful in working nights do this; They work out regularly in a gym and love the gym time because it is not really crowded. I would try online dating from the sound of it, it may work. I would also volunteer at like habitat for humanity, for being part of the check line at a sporting event, or to help your local food bank. The people you will be meeting will come from a varied background and you may start to feel like a human being again.

Good Luck to you.

[matchsticktgt, LPN]

Some of us are just not meant to work nights - I've worked all shifts - day, afternoon, night, Baylor 7a-7p, 7p-7a...I just cannot do nights - like you I felt isolated from the world and it's like you are in your own special little isolated hell. There are then some who will say that they would never, never want to work any other shift. Switching to an earlier shift may not "fix" your love life, but it sure may "fix" your feelings of depression and isolation. Hang in there!

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

Perhaps it might be a good idea to sit down with your manager and see if there's any possibility for a Day/Eve or Day/Night rotation? Not everyone can do nights. There are other factors to consider too, your health.

Hormones can get a bit off balance too, making our outlook even worse and sleep patterns messed up. Sleep is essential for hormone balance in addition to nutrition.

You are giving this a lot of thought, but it's time for action.