Is there life after the night shift?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I recently started a home health job. I like it so far, but I'm facing an unexpected problem; finding a life outside work.

I've always had a hard time making friends. I've been bitten too many times to do workplace friendships. I've never been a morning person, but ten years of evening shifts taught me that it's hard to meet people outside of work when you work evenings. I don't want the night shift to be more isolating than the evening shift.

Night shifters, how do you make friends outside of work?

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

Avoid the sun or you'll melt.:D

In all seriousness basically wherever people gather is a good place to start.

Bars, Church, Various sporting events, ect.

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Specializes in OB, L&D, NICU, Med-Surg, Ortho.

Networking sites such as FB can help. Nursing forums ;) I've met some wonderful friends "online" :)

Groups that share your interest - photography groups - volunteer groups - lion's clubs. Volunteering is a quick way to meet a few friends.

Wish I could help you more. I have the same issue! I do make friends at work though, I just try to avoid work issues. Once you're out of HS, it sure does get harder! (And I've been out for quite a loong time!)

~Sherri

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Specializes in med-surg, mother-baby.

You meet them the same way you would if you worked day, but that depends on when you sleep. Ive been working nights for 3 years, and sleep during the day when most ppl are at work anyways. So I can socialize during the evening before I leave for work.

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My bed is my friend.

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Specializes in PACU.

The local animal shelter. I would be a crazy cat lady if I were a lady. :bugeyes:

What the poster with the long name that starts with an I said is a good point. If you sleep when "normal" people are working and work when they are sleeping you can have a fairly normal life.

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You know i have worked the night shift for yrs. And it is hard trying to balance family and friends let alone a relationship. And depending on your rotation like if you worked a 3-3 or 4-3. Days off are great to be social but really you have to find a life. Not meaning (you as I'm pointing you out) I mean you have to find activity's to do. Like that one person pointed out in a earlier post. Like my one Nursing Teacher said time and time again " Get A Life" Don't make your job your life or you will end up like the cat lady everyone talks about I have found myself a few times having relationships with co-workers. Now I'm not saying to seek out co-workers because sometimes its not worth the drama that goes along with it. Sometimes tho it makes it easier to build a social network with them because you work the same shift. These are my thoughts use them as you wish...

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Do you work 12's or 8's?

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Specializes in CVICU.

I've been on nights for 7+ years. I have met most of my friends through work!

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, Med-Surg.

How do you do night shift in home health? Sorry if that's a stupid question, but in our area home health is days only.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

I have been working nights for the last 2 years. I also sleep during the day when everyone's at work and I work when everyone's asleep.

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i work 12's

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