Night shift syndrome

Nurses Stress 101

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Is there a such thing as "night shift syndrome"? I just started working 12 hour nights in July after working 12 hour days for about 6 months. I decided to go to nights because in my current position, the environment was chaotic, stressful, without any resources for help. I basically felt like I was not providing the quality of care that I wanted to provide. At first I felt awake and refreshed, but as the months have gone on I have been feeling increasingly fatigued, sore, and hazy. I sometimes can sleep 12-14 hours after a shift or two and still feel tired. Before you ask, I am not looking for medical advice or anything, I am just curious on what other night shift nurses do to stay a float with this unusual schedule and not feel so fatigued all the time? I am just wondering if any other night shifters out there have experienced this and if so, what did they do to correct it? The weight of the fatigue is making me want to go back to days, but unfortunately at the hospital I currently work at there are no 12 hour day positions or even 8 hours that I can bid on right not and returning to 12's on my floor would not be my cup of tea, but if needed I could do it. So I am exploring my options at other facilities as well. But in the mean time, does anyone have any suggestions?

Specializes in geriatrics.

I work permanent nights and I like it. I stay on a night schedule even on my off days 95 percent of the time. You will be more tired if you switch to days on your days off.I also use blackout curtains, earplugs, and my phone is on silent anytime I want to sleep or nap. No calls are more important than sleep.I exercise at least 3 days a week, take 2000 units of vitamin D, and eat healthy meals. If you want to make nights work, all of these elements need to be in place. Melatonin also helps your circadian rhythm.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I work permanent nights and I like it. I stay on a night schedule even on my off days 95 percent of the time.

I believe this is the key to comfortably working a MN Shift- stay on a MN Schedule.

However, it's difficult for Most, since it's a 9 to 5 world out there. I am very lucky, since I have no children, am asocial, and my SO, Belinda, also works a MN Shift.

I've also found that the OTC sleeping aid, doxylamine succinate 25mg, works wonders for me in dealing with periods of insomnia.

Good luck to you in dealing with your situation, SweetsRN.

Dave

Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

DONT sleep 12-14 hours. I have found that when I over sleep, that is when I feel the most tired. I can do just fine on 6-8 hours. I very rarely get more than that these days and I am fine by that.

You don't need to buy a fancy sound machine, I use a $2 fan from the thrift shop.

Some people can acclimate to nights... some can't. I NEVER could, called it quits after 9 months.

It sounds like you have a circadian rhythm that cannot adjust. Your health is NOT worth it, get on another shift ASAP. I personally LOVE afternoons, have you considered that shift?

Specializes in Intermediate care.

Yea, Normal.

When i get home from nights i sleep ALL DAY. i get home around 7:45-8am and i will sleep until my alarm goes off at 5:30pm. If i don't set my alarm, i could very well sleep into the next day.

Sounds really crazy because when im not working i really only need 5-6 hours of sleep a night. So why when i work nights do i need 12+ hours of sleep??

Our bodies are not meant to be awake at night. We are meant to sleep during dark, we set of hormones that makes us tired.

During the day your REM sleep is interrupted with noises, light, sun and other factors. Although you may never truly "wake up" your still not getting the normal sleep your body needs.

It isn't normal, it isn't healthy but unfortunately someone has to do it.

i hate it at work when people are like "You're young. you can handle it" It doesn't matter how young or old you are, our bodies are built the same and react similarly to situations like this.

Specializes in Intermediate care.

and to add- i think the HARDEST schedule is working day/night rotation. i think managment is thining we like doing both and they are doing us a favor by putting us on days. but it throws EVERYTHING off.

I'll work my stretch of nights, and i get on that "night" schedule...stay up late, sleep in type schedule.

then few days later i'm changing it up, going to bed early...getting up early.

My body doesn't know when to be tired, so i find myself getting tired and NEEDING sleep at random times in the middle of the day, not my normal.

Specializes in geriatrics.

That's why I say no to picking up days. I work nights or evenings and that's it. Its either straight days or straight nights for me, not both.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Thanks everyone for your helpful tips! Most of the jobs I have had in my life I have worked afternoons. The schedule is nice, however I was never seeing my husband and it was tough. I am considering going back to 12 hour days when position becomes avaliable or just working on getting these things in place. I know one thing is I need better blinds to block out the sun. I agree I do not think all people can adjust to this type of schedule. I worked Friday into Sat and it has taken me until this morning to feel better. After sleeping for 8 hours on Sat then staying up to 7 am on Sun and sleeping until 6pm on Sun and going back to sleep at 1 am until 8. I am all messed up. In all fairness I am currently sick so that is playing a role on my health too. I just went to the doctor Saturday and finally I am starting to feel better again!(well as good as I am going to be working at night lol).

For windows, you can get emergency-camping blankets for about 10 dollars each, and either tape or use pins or staples to cover ANY light coming through... over that, put normal (dark, lined, black-out) curtains so it looks normal.

I've been on night shift for years and feel like a zombie. The pay and quiet is why I stay :)

I don't have trouble with sleep USUALLY, the problem for me is also the fatigue and wanting to sleep all the time. Some people can handle that others can't. . i don't try to switch to a"day schedule" on days off for the most part. I don't think it is worth it and that usually left me feeling even more off. It is terrbile though if you don't live in an area with a lot of things open at night or 24 hours/day. Nights can really diminish your social life, sleep cycle, health and other things. it is not for everone.

"i hate it at work when people are like "You're young. you can handle it" It doesn't matter how young or old you are, our bodies are built the same and react similarly to situations like this."

YES! I want to smack a nurse when they say "BUT YOU DON'T HAVE KIDS! YOU'RE YOUNG, YOU CAN HANDLE IT!" Uh, no.

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

It was so much easier to work nights pre-kid. After kid, you feel like a horrible zombie mom who is doing permanent damage to your children. That's probably what they mean. But I don't think the majority of people handle it comfortably. It's not natural for most of us, I have friends that are an exception, but they are rare. But as someone said, someone has to do it.

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