Anyone else on nights feel completely out of it?

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Been on nights for 9 months now! Ok, so I love the night crew, don't have a problem sleeping during the day, and like my job but...

I am so out of whack with my family and friends. I just am not able to flip-flop very effectively so I find myself up all night on my days off. I guess my body is revolting against me or something. The worst thing is feeling so unproductive when I am off and up all night--like I can't get motivated to do anything. Plus I just graze in the kitchen out of boredom and not kowing when to eat. It is pretty lonely being up by myself and I am sick of TV and surfing the internet. I miss my family, friends, and the daylight.

Thought about switching to days but that would incur a big pay cut plus childcare costs. Maybe it would be worth it?? I dunno. I'm tired of feeling like this!

Any ideas?????:eek:

Im not the OP but omg I can so relate to this and the driving in a trance. Many times I couldnt even tell you how I got home just thank God I did safely. At least now you work closer to home that definitely helps.

Wow, I don't know how some people do it! Not only do you miss out on a lot, its so unhealthy and unsafe (for me anyway)! Although shift work in itself and working odd hours is the same.

I don't eat or sleep well during nights and then I have to drive over an hour home during rush hour morning traffic half asleep. It was scary, I was in a trance. Thank goodness I work closer to home now.

I think you should try working some day shifts once in awhile. I know its a financial thing, but working days allows for more time to spend with loved ones and it will be refreshing.

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Specializes in ER.

Another way to do it is to slightly modify your schedule on days off. I have been on nights for over two years and have found a rhythm that works very well. If I were to shift back and forth , doing a "day" schedule when I am off, I probably would have dropped dead by now.

I sleep from 0800-1500 on work days. My first day off I get up a little early, usually about 1300. Then I usually go to bed at 0300am on days off, getting up the next day about 11:00. This works great for me. I still have plenty of time to do day-time things with family, but get a few hours of quiet time at night after everyone else goes to bed.

I am also lucky in that other members of my family are night owls....my husband is usually up 'till 1:00 every night anyway.

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Leesie - that's my planned schedule exactly. I'm a new grad and I don't get to go on nights right away, but those hours are why I want to work nights (plus the extra cash). Days are actually more disruptive to my husband's and my social life - he's always up until 0100 or so as well, and he doesn't get home from work until 1900. If I have to get up at 0545 for work, I have to go to bed an hour after dinner and I feel like crap all the time because I'm a night person too. When I've worked nights in the past, I actually get more sleep and feel more rested. Plus, my husband and I are actually on a more similar sleep/wake cycle on my days off.

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Some people just cannot tolerate PM shifts. I found out that after 20 years of working nights, I just couldn't do them anymore. Like you, I slept on my days off. Started feeling like crap all the time. I started working days and felt much better.

Now there is a medication that they can give you if you have to work PM shifts, it's called Provigil. It helps to keep you alert during your shift and you could also take it on your days off to help you stay awake.

I take it for the tiredness that I have from my sleep apnea and it really helps.

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Specializes in LDRP.

Update: Thanks all for your feedback. Talked to my boss and had a choice between full time days and part time nights--took the PT night job so still dont have to pay for childcare (900/month), still make almost as much as days w/ night diff and picking up one extra shift a month @ time and 1/2, and can continue working on my BSN--all a good fit. Thanks for all the advice. I am so happy I reevaluated!

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Update: Thanks all for your feedback. Talked to my boss and had a choice between full time days and part time nights--took the PT night job so still dont have to pay for childcare (900/month), still make almost as much as days w/ night diff and picking up one extra shift a month @ time and 1/2, and can continue working on my BSN--all a good fit. Thanks for all the advice. I am so happy I reevaluated!

I felt like I had to work 2 jobs to pay for child care-I know what you mean!!!!!!!!:banghead:

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