Can i survive night shift??!

[buffalo2122]

I'm starting 12 hour nights in March (when my new grad training ends) until then i will be trained in the days. I have a toddler and a 6 year old stepdaughter. I am worried when nights come around I won't be able to adjust or will become easily depressed because i probably will be sleeping during the day while i pay for my kids to go to daycare while i sleep! How do parents do it?! Any tips or a schedule to get a good routine without hating life? I would not mind working weekend nights if that meant i get to see my children more but then don't get to see my fiancé since those are his only days off. Not to mention the fact i don't think he can handle the kids all to himself while i sleep. What are the best days to work? How do you do it? anything helps, since i don't have a clue! TIA!

[Anna S, RN]

No, you can't.

[CCRNforlife]

I have a toddler and I found working Sunday Monday Tuesday works because then I am home with my family during the weekend (I sleep until 10 or 11 on sunday). Then on my last day I take a short nap when I get home and flip back to my family's schedule asap.

[ScrappytheCoco]

I think nights suck...but some people like them. I've been on day shift the last 6 months in a specialty where I was unhappy...I am going back to nights for my dream specialty so obviously it's not that bad. I can't sleep on days without benadryl. Use a mask and blackout curtains. Try to make sure your sleep is not interrupted and that you get the usual amount that you would get if you were on a normal schedule. If I missed even 2-3 hours, I would find myself falling asleep at 4am if the ER wasn't busy. If you really hate it, let a manager know as quickly as possible and get on the wait list for dayshift.