Night Shift and Nausea?

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

I've been doing clinicals on the 7p-7a shift and I've found that I get really nauseated around 3 or 4 am. Is this normal for nights? Any suggestions?

I've thought that maybe I'm drinking too much caffeine? I've tried eating a snack around 3, but nothing helps.

1 Votes
Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

I never used to get nauseated but 3 - 4 am is really the very worse time. I used to feel really horrid around this time of the night, not sick just horrible

1 Votes
Specializes in LTC.

I found I got tired/nasty feeling about 3am when I worked nights. It's just something about that time of night.

I would say cut back on the coffee, coffee really messes with my stomach. Try drinking more water. I also eat a meal around that time. It really helps energize me.

1 Votes
Specializes in ICU, nutrition.

I never had nausea unless I'd been up for almost 24 hours, and I'd get it whether it was 4am or 4pm. Does it have anything to do with whether it's the beginning or end of your stretch or when you've slept?

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Specializes in oncology, trauma, home health.

Yep, between 3-4, always, always.

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Specializes in LTC.

I find when i drink coffee at night, when i come into work at 11. (I work 11-7a) I do feel pretty yucky come 3am. And that's the time that i need another coffee! Figures right? I try to avoid the coffee and stuff if i can until my break around 3 or 4 and then I'm fine. Also seems that snacking on pretzels or something helps out. Hope that helps! :twocents:

1 Votes
Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

I get quesy all too readily, but on nights it was too much caffeine--which I solved with cheeseburgers and fries. which explains the 29 lbs in two years!!:bluecry1:

I think some of us get sick stomachs when both overtired and overstressed..which may be god's way of telling us we're not good fits for nights.

3-4 am is when I had the habit of charting nonsense..once I was charting and another employee was gossiping about a pt being trailer trash..

I actually charted (half asleep) bs active x 4, pt passing trash

1 Votes
Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

On Friday nights when I work as a nurse apprentice, I am up for 30+ hours and around 4 a.m. I feel absolutely horrible. Not sure if it is nausea, but it is a horrible feeling.

I found if I drink caffeine (specifically coffee) when I am working a graveyard shift, I get EXTREMELY sick to my stomach -- to the point of diarrhea and vomiting at times. Thus, I do not drink coffee to keep myself awake. If I find myself tired, I get up and go do something.

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Specializes in LTC, office.

I worked nights for seven years and well remember feeling nauseous when I was overtired. My "first night back" as I referred to my night shift after a few nights off I would feel awful by morning.

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Been there, done that, cannot work nights......:wink2:

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele.

I had the same problem when I worked nights. Try ginger ale, it works well.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Surgical ICU, Medical ICU.

I get nauseous and light headed at the same time, its cortisol levels fluctuating, at least thats what I've been told. It happens to everyone but theyre (duh) sleeping lol. I hate that feeling! I find I get used to it after a run of nights. Food does seem to help, as pp said, crackers pretzels something small to help! Gotta love shift work. :nurse:

1 Votes
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