My worse fear has come true. I recently got into a car accident after working a night shift. Thank God, the accident only involved myself, and I did not get hurt. However, it has really shaken me up and I'm petrified of having to drive from work after doing nights. The scary thing is that, I didn't feel myself getting sleepy or anything, it just happened so fast. I didn't even close my eyes. All the "what ifs", keeps playing through my mind. It would have been a nightmare if I caused death of a family or myself due to my inability to stay alert while driving home.
I'm in a tough predicament. I just started this full time nights position and I'm afraid to switch my schedule or ask to go to another unit that has a day shift avail. I've only been on the job for 2 weeks. Right now, I'm so petrified of driving after a night shift. I've tried cool air and loud music before and it does not help. My husband cannot take me to work and pick me up so that isn't an option.
I sometimes call my husband on the way home as a safety line, but he drifts off to sleep which is no help. I also don't drink coffee. I'm at a lost.
For those of you who have ever experienced this, how did you move forward? Did you quit nights all together? Find a closer job? Or did you continue to drive home but use different strategies?
Power naps. I would doze off on my 45 min trip home. I would usually stop once at Starbucks, take a 15-20 min power nap and grab a coffee. If I was really tired, I'd stop again and nap. It's a pain, but I didn't want to have an accident.I also chewed sunflower seeds. Messy, yes. But it kept me awake.Good luck and stay safe.
When I worked nights I would drink a big glass of water during report or right afterwards. I didn't live too far but towards the middle point I had to use the bathroom.
I have had this happen after working 13hr night shift , then driving 5 hours to visit a friend. I stopped asap to buy a large iced coffee , rolled down my windows (15degrees outside!) and sang aloud to loud obnoxious rap music . you have to make sure you sleep during the day and maybe a caffeinated beverage at 4 or 5 am . so it might wear off by the time you are ready for bed
We have 14hr nightshift shifts as long as I get an opportunity to stretch or go to the gym after a shift I'm fine. I literally conk out. Phenergan is what I use very rarely if I'm really struggling but I'm also a slight insomniac so I've learnt to survive on minimal sleep
When I worked nights I would drink a big glass of water during report or right afterwards. I didn't live too far but towards the middle point I had to use the bathroom.
With my luck I'd fall asleep and pee in my car seat!
Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
They did a study that was on the news. The TV guy had to stay awake all night and in the morning they put him on a test course and let him drive while he was hooked up to EEG monitoring. Even though he did not close his eyes, he did "fall asleep" for seconds at a time according to his EEG. Scary huh?
I have co workers that usually will find an empty stretcher and power nap before going home. Many live 45 minutes away, at least. Like you, I'm just not a night person and all the caffiene, music and cold air never worked for me. I once took care of a trucker. He told me to hang a 20 dollar bill out the window. If you become drowsy, you would most likely let go of the money and nobody wants to lose their money. He said it worked for him.
I buy a box of mini saltines and keep it in the car for when I can't stay awake on the way home. I stop halfway home at a gas station and get a drink. Eating and drinking are the only things that keep me awake.
The saltines are better than candy, or chips, and it's only three mornings a week.
I really like the idea about drinking the big swig before I leave the hospital.
What helps me the most is getting a hot drink (hot chocolate for me) and sipping that on the way home. Snacking helps too. I have a 30 min drive and if I start to feel myself getting tired I'll pull over at the nearest store to get out of the car to walk around. Sometimes I'll stop at a gas station on the way and get a lottery ticket, snack for the rest of the drive, or nothing at all. Anything to push the reset button on my drive home. Maybe you could split your drive up like this while you're adjusting to nights.
Specializes in HIV, Psych, GI, Hepatology, Research.
They did a study that was on the news. The TV guy had to stay awake all night and in the morning they put him on a test course and let him drive while he was hooked up to EEG monitoring. Even though he did not close his eyes, he did "fall asleep" for seconds at a time according to his EEG. Scary huh?
I have co workers that usually will find an empty stretcher and power nap before going home. Many live 45 minutes away, at least. Like you, I'm just not a night person and all the caffiene, music and cold air never worked for me. I once took care of a trucker. He told me to hang a 20 dollar bill out the window. If you become drowsy, you would most likely let go of the money.
I love this!! I wouldn't want to lose my money! Sounds to me like it might work.
MomRN0913
1,131 Posts
Power naps. I would doze off on my 45 min trip home. I would usually stop once at Starbucks, take a 15-20 min power nap and grab a coffee. If I was really tired, I'd stop again and nap. It's a pain, but I didn't want to have an accident.I also chewed sunflower seeds. Messy, yes. But it kept me awake.Good luck and stay safe.