Liking the night shift

[Genista]

Hey everyone- It's my night off & I just wanted to share the surprising news...I made a huge fuss over the past few weeks about being mandated to do a few weeks of night shift. I have been a day shifter for several years. I did night shift about 10 years ago & just hated it! Back then, I couldn't sleep a wink. It was like hell. Well, due to a severe nursing shortage, I am now on my 1st week of nights ...and surprise! I kind of like it. Mind you, my husband works days. And I know this is only temporary...but I do like the peace on that shift. I thought maybe I would be tired or bored, but no. I prepped for it by staying up till 2-3 am for several nights before I started. I think it really helped! I drink a few cups of coffee before work in the evening, and I keep a good pace all night long. It's been no trouble trying to stay awake for nocs.

Dayshifters- I LOVE not having to field the phone calls, the guerneys, the hustle & bustle of day shift. True, I have some added responsibilties to keep me plenty busy like 24 hr checks, and these patients are not always sleeping like I thought they would!I enjoy trying to take care of odds & ends that I know dayshift will appreciate. LOL! But it feels kind of nice for now. I don't think I will stay on it, but it's definately not as bad as I thought. I have my bedroom all dark & have had NO PROBLEM sleeping like a log after work at 9- 10 am or so. Just wanted to share with others...in case you are afraid of nocs as I was. It's really got a few things going for it...

~kona

[Cherry Soda]

I have been on nights for 6 months. (first time) While I like the pace and the team, I hate my life. I have gained weight and it is very hard to sleep during the day. I am not as sharp on nights and I make mistakes.

I start days in about a month or so. We'll see how it goes.

Cherry

[NCTraumaNurse]

I would agree with Cherry Soda, I use to work nights as a nurse extern and loved it, but now as an RN, I find that I am having difficulty sleeping during the day, and am constantly in a fog. The worst part is that I have made some mistakes, and that is VERY uncharacteristic for me.

[jschut, BSN, RN]

I work nights, and so far, so good. My only problem is waking up with headaches in the afternoon....but I think I have that one solved......

Thanks guys!

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I still don't like nights but probably cause I have to work all day and be on call and go out at night and work then get up and work all day. Have to do that a week at a time.....

zzzzzzzzzzzz

renerian

[fab4fan]

I work in the ED, and I sure don't find nights any less busy...we run around like the Keystone Cops half the time.

I am just recuperating from two of the most hateful 7p-7a shifts I've ever worked.

Still, I do like night shift...I'm not a day person, and worked mostly 3-11, so the transition wasn't that major.

[mark_LD_RN]

glad you enjoy nights, you need to stay there! I like nights but find it very busy as all the hospitals I have worked nights at short staff on nights and we have so much to do and a long list of chores.

[joyrochelle]

yes but what about nights like this??? i am off.....its 215 am, and I cant sleep!!!!

I am tired of people telling me that Benadryl etc is the key.....wah.

[LinnetLegs]

I got in from my night shift a couple of hours ago. I got about one hour sleep. My neighbour is having a new bathroom fitted. It always seems like there is more noise when you are trying to sleep during the day. :zzzzz

I feel dreadful.

[Lacey]

I like switching days and nights! On nights, there's no meals, less visitors, and less meds usually! We only have to take road trips( not easy for vent pts on a million drips!) to CT and MRI for emergencies. It's a nice change and on my last night, I get to go home, get a few hours sleep and have the rest of my wonderful day off!