Day Shift = Me Kaput

[cogath]

Often I get called to cover day shift at my work, and most of our clinicals occur on the day shift. I can understand why our clinicals are on the day shift (i.e. dealing with more family members, other staff, etc) and I don't complain there. However my manager at work knows I really dislike the day shift.

This same cycle happens no matter how early I get to the bed the night before. I wake up alert and ready for the day -- until 45 minutes later, when if I close my eyes I'll fall asleep. My day starts out sluggishly. By the end of my shift I'm utterly exhausted. I go home, crash, and am nonfunctional for the rest of the day, feeling groggy, nauseaus, indigested, dizzy, and like I've got the flu.

I just can't get my body used to day shift, and am not particularly inclined to as I am definitely noctural. Anyone else creatures of the night?

[CaregiverGrace]

I have always considered myself to be more nocturnal by nature, but I have gotten into a day-shift routine and have managed ok. For me, it took about 6 weeks to really get my body and mind into the routine of early to bed, early to rise. And if I could do it, I truly believe that most so-called "night" people, can do it as well. You may benefit from seeing your doctor about getting a mild sleeping med like Ambien to get you started in your routine. Once you start managing to get to bed early, and sleep a good night, you should not find life to be all that much different. There are still 24 hours in the day, and you are working 8. The only difference is the light outside the windows. It honestly is a workable situation for most of us.

[mentalhealthRN]

Can't say as I am in the same situation........I am just the opposite. Can't work nights. I just wish there were more nurses who, like you, loved nights so that nurses that can't or don't want to works nights didn't have to. Nights was the reason I left my last hospital job.......a job I really loved in the psych ER. That hospital required all nurses to work a min. % of their shifts on nights. I think forcing nurses to work shifts that they can't or don't want to work is crazy. Especailly if they are saying it is not safe.