Being Tired at work - How do you cope?

Leda1st · Jun 3, 2010

First, do your best to stay "on" the night shift schedule even on your days off. This is almost impossible, but it is MUCH harder to try to "swing" back and forth than to stay on one shift all the time.

Second, MAKE SURE you get a FULL 8 hours of sleep during the day. Put up dark shades - making the room VERY dark (as dark as possible) or even wearing a sleeping mask also helps. It needs to be DARK. I also ran a fan for "white noise" to help me sleep better.

Third, keep moving when you are at work! That helps a lot.

Good luck!

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2010

Be careful when driving home.

nkochrn, RN · Jun 3, 2010

I agree with everyone that has said to "keep moving!" Some nights when we aren't real busy a couple of us nurses will go on walks around the hospital, while someone is still available for our patients of course.

DARK curtains over your windows to make the room darker is also a big help in sleeping during the day, avoid caffeine for the couple hours before you get off, so that you don't have trouble sleeping when you get home.

caliotter3 · Jun 3, 2010

I used to fall asleep at the wheel of the car on the freeway. The Highway Patrol put a damper on that practice.

Kymmi · Jun 3, 2010

If you are truly that exhausted all the time I'd be careful about chalking it all up to nightshift work. How are you on your days off? I know that for the past 2 years I've noticed I've been more and more tired even on my days off. There have been times that I'd literally sleep 24-36 hours straight only getting up one time or so to go to the bathroom. Times that I would sleep 10-14 hours and a hour after getting up I'd be needing a nap. I finally after several times of complaining to my primary MD went to a sleep specialist and had 2 sleep studies done which were abnormal. I did not have sleep apnea but I did have another sleep disorder which causes me to not go into the restoritive sleep stages no matter how long I slept and I also went into REM sleep very minimum.

I started on Provigil and it has made such a huge difference in my life. I now feel refreshed when I am awake. If I do not take the medicine then I will sleep and sleep and not feel like I've slept at all.

Its just a thought and Im not saying that that is what your problem is however it is worth looking into and getting a sleep study done to be sure there is not a underlying problem that is not related to nightshift.

SuperWes_CNA · Jun 3, 2010

I've known a couple people (co-workers) that have had trouble sleeping :yawn: and eventually went and had a sleep study done. Maybe that could be an option?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2010

What do you do when you are VERY tired at work? I am Exhausted when you clock in to being catatonic when you clock out? Lately, night shift is talking a toll on me. Coffee helps but only goes so far. I can Micro-sleep on the elevator (12 floors) ride up to my unit.
Sometimes I am so tired that during the change-of-shift, I doze off while giving report - just for a quick moment.
Other times, While charting, I doze off.

I work 16 hour weekend double shifts every Saturday and Sunday, so you can only imagine how tired I become.

I drink coffee throughout the day, and caffeinated diet cola throughout the evening to stay alert during the shift. I also perform cardiovascular exercise on my days off because it really seems to help with my energy level while at work.

RelloydRN · Jun 3, 2010

I used to fall asleep at the wheel of the car on the freeway. The Highway Patrol put a damper on that practice.

lol I remember one episode of the Simpsons where Homer falls asleep while driving.

I actually would go and get myself busy like check all my charts, refill unit stocks, change oxygen tanks, etc.

aries_33 · Jun 3, 2010

better talk to your nurse manager, it is not safe for you and to your patient. I hope they will understand.

RNforLongTime · Jun 3, 2010

I know most places probably frown upon this but if I'm just starting my week of nights, as the mom of a 6yr old child who is soon to be starting summer vacation and I don't get a nap before my 12 hr night shift I get very tired.

I will go into our break room with a blanket, set the alarm on my cell for 20 minutes and take a power nap! I am entitled to a 30 minute unpaid lunch break and as far as I am concerned, I can do whatever I please in those 30 minutes since I am not being paid for that time. I rarely have to do that but there have been nights that by 4am, I just cannot keep my eyes open any longer so off to the break room I go. Other coworkers are allowed to do the same thing. We cover for one another. My supervisor has no problems with my taking a nap long as it's not at the nurses station.

rn/writer, RN · Jun 3, 2010

I like 5-hour energy drinks. Only four calories in the entire two-ounce drink, so there is no big sugar crash. And about as much caffeine as 1-2 cups of coffee, so my hands don't shake (any worse than usual). I split the super version into three 20cc doses, and usually only need one of them to get me through the night. A 12-pack lasts months. Some nights I don't actually take it, but it's nice to know that the little black bottle is there in my work bag.

I work nights. On my off days, I sleep from 0400-1200. Keeps my body on something of a regular schedule.

If I've had a really dozey night, I'll take a catnap in the safety of the parking structure rather than nod off behind the wheel. It's amazing what a ten-minute snooze can do.

bubblymom373 · Jun 3, 2010

I drink anywhere from 6-8 cups of coffee when I work. If really tired I take a walk in the halls or sit outside for several minutes .

Sometimes it is hard to stay awake especially when doing charting or taping report. The boring and mundane will get me every time.