Adjusting to night shift--HELP!!

nightmare, RN · Jul 2, 2007

I told my kids that if they woke me up, there'd better be blood--- and lots of it, or flames licking at the bedroom door.
My youngest broke her arm one afternoon and her sister told me later she actually stopped for a split second and thought about it before storming into my room to wake me up.
So I was forced to redefine "emergency"

Sounds familiar!My youngest woke me up one day,tears pouring down face,he had unravelled his brothers favourite cassette tape(remember them)Bless!!I hadn't the heart to tell him to go away .Have you ever tried winding up a cassette tape with your eyes closed! :lol2:

I never go to bed straight away.In fact I usually go on the computer and check email and ,of course,allnurses,until I wind down and start getting sleepy.I have a clock radio so I set it low sort of "audible wallpaper"and set it to switch off after 30 minutes.I am usually asleep by then.

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2007

Having an understanding family is key, as well as having a spouse who backs you up when you tell people you can not come to a family event, work party, etc. So far in the last four months on night shift I have been roped into going to many family events in the mornings and early afternoons because of attempts to guilt-trip me ("What do you mean you cant come to your sisters bridal shower? She only gets married once, you know." Or " You can stop by your cousin's graduation party for a few hours, can't you?".) I am constantly switching my sleep schedule back and forth on my days off. Learning to put your foot down now will be your saving grace. I am looking forward to switching to days because I end up either sleep deprived or hassled, and I'm getting tired of it!

Fonenurse · Jul 2, 2007

Warm bath to relax me straight after the shift, warm drink (not coffee or tea) and a little food all helps.

If I wake up, I go to the bathroom, try to keep my eyes closed, and go right back to bed.

My kids know better than to disturb me...

I work mixed nights and days, and I often try to roster myself for 6pm to 2am straight after night duty, then 4pm - midnight and then days off - it helps me turn my body clock around.

Nights aren't for everyone, so if you find you really aren't coping after you've given it a try, talk to your manager and see if you can switch to days - it's not wrong to admit defeat, but don't make yourself ill trying to make something work if in your heart you aren't coping

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 2, 2007

White noise is heaven-sent. Box fan, ocean wave CD, rain CD, whatever works.

And earplugs! If you don't have earplugs, cotton balls work in a pinch.

Dark room. I sleep in my son's room since it is the darkest and quietest room. I have two heavy blankets hung over the curtain rod while I'm working and it works beautifully.

If you can, turn the phone off and disable your doorbell. Otherwise a no soliciting sign works.

I have a script for Lunesta but it is a last resort. I like it because it doesn't leave me feeling hungover when I wake up but it does help me get to sleep.

There is something to be said for the havoc that a backwards circadian rhythm will wreak on you. But also investigate...are you not sleeping because you stay up obsessing over things? Are you feeling depressed? (sometimes just not seeing much sunlight can do that to you.) If so, you might want to investigate some antidepressants with your MD. That has made a huge difference for me. I for one do not like to have to pop a pill to feel better, but if you need serotonin, you need it!

I do certainly hope you make the adjustment. I have worked nights off and on (currently on) for 6 years. I love it and could not imagine working days! Best of luck to you, and HANG IN THERE!! :)

EmmaG, RN · Jul 2, 2007

Sounds familiar!My youngest woke me up one day,tears pouring down face,he had unravelled his brothers favourite cassette tape(remember them)Bless!!I hadn't the heart to tell him to go away .Have you ever tried winding up a cassette tape with your eyes closed!
I never go to bed straight away.In fact I usually go on the computer and check email and ,of course,allnurses,until I wind down and start getting sleepy.I have a clock radio so I set it low sort of "audible wallpaper"and set it to switch off after 30 minutes.I am usually asleep by then.

Aw!

I don't go straight to bed either, with only a very few exceptions over the years. How many people come home from a day job and go straight to bed?

stress101 · Jul 2, 2007

Hi this is my first day here. I am a new member but I wanted to say I have accepted a job from 7pm-til7am that starts in July. Never worked nights before so now I become concern hearing your stories. I too graduated in May 2007! Congrats on that accomplishment! Did you take boards yet? I am scheduled this week and Very NERVOUS!! Everyone says that you half to get adjusted to nights and it takes alittle time. :zzzzz

MrsWampthang, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2007

If only management would take into consideration their night shift workers and stop scheduling inservice and meetings for 2pm so that "the greatest number of staff can participate." I see no reason that a training video that can be shown at 2p cannot be shown at 2am.
Night shift is without the hussel and hassel of the days, enjoy the perks.

Boy I hear ya there. I have to admit, I love night shift; although my husband hates it, somthing about liking to sleep with me. But I like not having the big bosses around when I am trying to do my job. I like the people I work with too.

Our educator does try to do educations at 6am so that helps some. I don't do meetings that happen in the middle of the day. It's bad enough trying to come in an hour early for my charge nurse meeting.

Good luck on nights. You may find out that you like it!

Pam

rnin02 · Jul 3, 2007

Aw!
I don't go straight to bed either, with only a very few exceptions over the years. How many people come home from a day job and go straight to bed?

I think when you work 8 hrs vs 12 hrs it's very different...the people who work 11-7 don't need to go straight to bed, but when you work 7p-7a, its helpful to go straight to bed...there's less time for sleep, and generally the sleep you are able to get during the day is just not the same as the sleep you get at night, it just doesn't measure up, at least mine doesn't. I have found, when I've worked 7a-7p, I still tend to go to bed pretty quickly after getting home, or at least try to, usually by 2200 or 2300 at the very latest. 12 hours is a long shift, day or night.

avatar78 · Jul 3, 2007

The best sleepmask I have found.

http://www.hibermate.com/

I use it every day. I took off the earpads, it was a little weird to sleep on them. It blocks out the light very well.

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2007

Send me your mailing address.

I'll personally mail you my statistics textbook - guaranteed to help you sleep anywhere, anytime, anyhow!

Things started badly my first week. My mom was visiting from out-of-state and I felt guilty for sleeping.[/quote']My Mother tried that when she was visiting for two months.
I flat out refused to play that game!
Stick to your guns - those who aren't nurses and don't work nights rarely know what it's like.

medicrnohio, RN · Jul 3, 2007

I darken my room by covering the windows with black contact paper (comes off easy), blinds, and then heavy curtains.

White noise...air conditioner, air cleaner, fan.

Turn off the phone in your room.

jetscreamer101 · Jul 3, 2007

I am starting nights soon. I have such a terrible time with day shift. Early mornings are not for me. I've done evenings before and they were ok. I just know that hubby will have a hard time with it though. He'll wake me up to scratch his back. Well maybe not that, but it's usually for something I see as trivial.