Night Shift Nurse...I Can't Sleep at Night anymore..

[zambezi]

:roll :roll I have been working nights for about six months now...actually i really like it...the pay is better, i have no problem sleeping during the day or staying up at night...the problem is my nights off, like tonite, it is three in the am and i cannot sleep...i usually take either benadryl or tylenol pm to sleep during the day and my first night back sleeping at night...melatonin does not work for me, bad dreams...does anyone have any suggestions, my husband does not like the fan, which i use during the day...so i am up at night after a few hours of sleep, inevitabley i get tired in the day and end up napping which is probably part of the reason that i can't sleep at night...does anyone else have this problem:confused: thanks for you suggestions....:kiss

[mattsmom81]

I found what worked best for me was resisting the urge to sleep much during the day...just nap...and alternate work nights so I never really had to adjust to fulltime day sleeping. I kept my circadian rhythm intact.

Agree we're all different in this night work/day sleep business. Good luck...hope you find what works best for you soon. :)

[ariamedico]

I knew intellectually that there must be lots of sleep challenged nurses like me out there, but to read so many great ideas and attitudes (you go 3rdShift Guy) was totally uplifting. I don't have any truly enlightened thoughts to add. I love the night shift, just hate the hours. My husband is a huge blessing in every way from beating the children into silence when I'm trying to sleep to not freaking when I'm up until 0500 on my nights off. I also draw a lot of strength from God. He lifts me up when I'd much rather be under the blankets. I used to need a lot more sleep than I do now. The only chronic health problem I can identify at this point is periodic expressive aphasia, LOL. It's great to be in such good nocturnal company. Do any of you ever check out the live chat room associated with this Web page? I might see some of you there some noc.

[BuffaloLPN]

I know posting has stopped on this but I am AWAKE and can relate---

Do you ever feel like the pressure of "I should be sleeping right now" is what keeps you awake?

I finally said screw it- I will sleep whenever, and it helps. If I play computer all night and sleep my whole day off-OH WELL. If we have mac and cheese for dinner 4 nights a week b/c I was sleeping and didn't have time before work-OH WELL. THANK GOODNESS my hubby loves hamburger helper and a happy wife!

[sjoe]

"You're asking your body to do horrible things by forcing it to sleep all night one night and stay awake the next."

And that is what your body is telling you.