Anyone here work night shift-past or present? Need advice pls.

VizslaMom · Nov 16, 2004

I've worked nights for two and a half years. Surprisingly, it wasn't hard for me to adjust.

I try to alternate my caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages during my shift.

I also try to stay up as late as possible the night before, maybe till three or four in the morning. Then, I'm usually able to sleep until two or three in the afternoon the day of my shift.

If I stay busy, then I'm less sleepy at work. If my work is completed, I'll jump in and help someone else out that may need it. That way, I have to keep thinking and stay awake!

Nursesuzi · Dec 2, 2004

I'm a new RN working night shift. I've only done a week so far after completing 4 months on days. I am a day person, but am commited to working nights for a year at least. I'm a single mom and nights fits my kids needs right now.

question: will I sleep longer during the day as I get used to it. Right now, I feel like I never really fully fall asleep and can only stay in bed 3-4 hrs. Please tell me I'll get used to it. I'd be happy with 4 hours after shift then another hour before shift. I'm a 5 hour sleeper on normal schedule. Any other day shifters who have dealt with this adaption to nights?

I've worked nights for two and a half years. Surprisingly, it wasn't hard for me to adjust.
I try to alternate my caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages during my shift.
I also try to stay up as late as possible the night before, maybe till three or four in the morning. Then, I'm usually able to sleep until two or three in the afternoon the day of my shift.
If I stay busy, then I'm less sleepy at work. If my work is completed, I'll jump in and help someone else out that may need it. That way, I have to keep thinking and stay awake!

VizslaMom · Dec 2, 2004

question: will I sleep longer during the day as I get used to it.

Sorry, I wish someone would be able to give you an answer.

However, it all depends on the individual. Some are able to adjust while others aren't able to.

Good Luck.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2004

One Of The Tricks I Learned After 22 Years On Nights (love The Shift, Must Fit My "clock") Is Not To Switch Back To Day Mode When Off, But Keep Modified Late Night Mode, Ie Go To Sleep About 3 Am, Sleep Until Noon, Then Get All Errands And Things Done In Afternoon And Evening...then The Shock Of First Shift After Some Time Off Isn't So Severe...

I agree and tend to do the same thing. Thus it's 2:30AM and I'm awake. Living in an area with 24 hour stores and a gym is nice too.

LPN1974, LPN · Dec 2, 2004

I've always been an evening person...2-10, now I'm on 2-12 midnight, but I also had a part time job for couple of years and worked 7p-7a a couple of days a week there.

People might disagree with me, but everyone has their own techniques, what works for them. When I worked that 7p-7a, sometimes I would be scheduled to go to my regular job at 2 pm that day. So I HAD to get to sleep regardless, and heaven help you if you prevented me from doing so. I had about 6 hours to get some sleep, so I would get right home, and take an Excedrin PM...just one, because I knew two would knock me clear out into next week. But one was enough to relax me to go to sleep pretty quickly. The other posters are right...stay away from the NoDoze...you sure don't wanna take something to keep you awake, then take something to make you go to sleep. In fact, if you HAVE to take an Excedrin PM, just use it on an occassional basis. That's what I did...only on those days when I knew I had only 6 hours to get some sleep. Maybe just one or two days of one Excedrin PM, and you'll be adjusted, just don't become dependent on it. A quiet dark room is best, so do whatever is necessary to get it like that. Also a fan blowing in the room always helped me. As someone else, something like that helps drown out noise. But after that first shift you will adjust. It just takes that first shift to get you into that nightshift routine. While you're at work, get up...stay busy, clean, stock cabinets, whatever you must do....stay up and busy.

And please, if you use Excedrin Pm use it sparingly. Now that I don't work my part time job anymore, I very rarely take it. ONLY on an EMERGENCY basis will I take it.

Personally, I've always been a night person...I love evenings or nights. So I've never had trouble adjusting to it.

Good luck. I'm sure you will do just fine.

zenman · Dec 2, 2004

Yes, forget the Nodoz. My dad, a truck driver, quit the stuff when the bulldog hood ornament on his truck walked up to his windshield one night!! :chuckle

purplemania, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2004

I do not recommend drugs, even OTC, to help you wake or sleep. I used to rest on the afternoon before going to work for at least two hours. Sometimes I did not sleep, but I stayed in the bed anyway. I wore a mask to keep out light. I ended up keeping night hours even on my day off, so that eventually it became much easier to stick to the schedule. Family and friends learned NOT to call me before 3-4 in the afternoon. I would not answer. You have to protect your sleep time in order to protect your body's immune system. Sleep is important. A recent study links lack of sleep to weight gain, and just look at all the fat nurses who work nights! I lost 10 lbs. after getting a day job. The metabolism just differs at night.

mattsmom81 · Dec 2, 2004

Sleep is important. A recent study links lack of sleep to weight gain, and just look at all the fat nurses who work nights! I lost 10 lbs. after getting a day job. The metabolism just differs at night.

Wish I knew how to counteract this but yes I gained weight working nights and its been difficult to take off. Course I have a thyroid problem as well which doesn't help.

I have worked nights for many years as a nurse and prefer the shift...in fact I can hardly stand the unit during the day. Everytime I must go to the unit in daytime hours I am sooo glad I work nights...can't stand the politics.

Victoriakem · Dec 2, 2004

Get ear plugs & an eye shade & even a small fan to run at your bedside table for white noise to help you shut out the day & pretend it's night so you can sleep. If your kids are older than 8, they can help you by not waking you up to see if they can go to Tiffanie's house, but only for a real emergency. I used to leave snacks out for my kids when my husband was overseas & I worked nights because it was better for the family schedule. You will sleep in time, you just have to convince yourself of it. Also tylenol PM is good too, plus a bubble bath & an occasional glass of wine will help you relax.

acgemt · Dec 2, 2004

I'm working my first night shift tonight and I have no idea how I'm going to do it! I'm a "day" person and I tried staying up last night but barely made it to 12:30. I'm usually in bed about 10:30 at night and can count on one hand the number of times I've worken up past 9am. I have to work 7p-7a three days this week.
I'm worried that I won't be able to stay awake during the shift and that I won't be able to sleep when I get home. My friends took No-Doze in nursing school to stay awake-Is that stuff safe? Can anyone give me any advice or tips on how to deal?

I feel your pain. I work 12 hour night shifts very sparingly. Coffee makes me feel really mellow, and ready for bed. Vivarin works fine for me most of the time. I take one at 5 so it has time to set in so I can make my hour drive home.

Good luck to you!

denurse1 · Dec 2, 2004

Jetta, I love nights! I am currently orienting to a new 7p-7a position but I have been orienting on 7a-7p for over a month. The politics, cliques and backstabbing are nearly unbearable! Night shift has a feeling of family and nearly everyone gets along great! You will learn so much from these nurses as they have to act more independently than the day shift. There are soooooo many extra people on days that you have to chase some out during a code. On nights, you have a select few and everyone knows their job. If you get sleepy on nights, just get out of the chair and do something. Very few people can fall asleep on their feet. You can adjust to day sleeping if you just try some of the suggestions already given...Benadryl...very light meal if you must eat before going to bed...limit fliuds so you don't wake up early just to go to the bathroom...limit caffeine intake, etc. You will have a few sleepless days but don't you have an occasional sleepless night? My sister-in-law used to refuse to pick up night shifts as it "affected her biorhythms". She left her day job due to politics, took a night job at another facility and is a much happier person. She adjusted and you can, too! Good Luck! P.S. Day shift has their share of fat people unsuccessfully battling the bulge, it's more of a professional hazard than a night shift "disease".

nowplayingEDRN · Dec 2, 2004

I worked nights for about 7 yrs, from th time I came out of nursing school. (Health issues made me switch out of nights). You can expect an adjustment period of about a month before your body fully adjusts to the switch in your circadian rhythm. I am not an advocate of using Tylenol PM, Excedrin PM or any other over the counter medication containing benadryl or any other sleep aid. I also would not recommend using Melatonin either as you should be able to devote 8 hours to sleep and working nites and having a family does not always allow that (been there and done that...lol) Things I do recommend: shut the ringer off on your telephone and turn the volume on your answering machine down to the lowest setting, advise friends and relatives that you will not answer the phone before 2 or 3 pm unless it is a life or death emergency, tack up a thick towel or blanket over all the bedroom windows to make the room completely dark, find something to make white noise...a fan, some relaxation music, anything that you can sleep with that drowns out the everyday noise, try to lay down every day at the same time, this gives your body a pattern to fall into....much like you do with a new baby, if you need a boost to get you home....use it a good 2-3 hours before you leave work so that by the time you get home it is just about wore off.........

Just many of the things that I used to do that helped me adjust to the night shift....gosh! I miss that shift!!!! LOL :chuckle