Day shift nurse but picked up an extra night tonight- should I sleep now?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

It's 4:30 pm where I am. I usually work day shift but was asked by my manager to pick a night shift tonight. I was just notified a few minutes ago. I'll have to leave by 6 to get there in time. Should I try to sleep for an hour or so now and then go to work? Or should I just stay up and get some coffee before I go in? (I've been up since 8 am.

Advice?

[Fiona59]

Cat nap.

[kool-aide, RN]

Most definitely nap.

[loriangel14, RN]

Definitely nap

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

You should have rejected the request as it did not come in time to allow you adequate rest before going to work and taking over the care of a PICU patient. At the end of your shift, assuming you work 12 hours, you will have been awake for 24 hours. It's unsafe, and your manager was wrong to make this request of you on such short notice.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

You should have rejected the request as it did not come in time to allow you adequate rest before going to work and taking over the care of a PICU patient. At the end of your shift, assuming you work 12 hours, you will have been awake for 24 hours. It's unsafe, and your manager was wrong to make this request of you on such short notice.

True, but it doesn't change the fact that she has to work the shift with little sleep. For me, I don't do well with "power naps." I usually feel more tired after a short nap than I did before the nap. Now, that is just how it works for my body. Plus the hour of sleep may be beneficial at the end of the shift. In short, not sure what works best for you, but I would not nap.

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

You should have rejected the request as it did not come in time to allow you adequate rest before going to work and taking over the care of a PICU patient. At the end of your shift, assuming you work 12 hours, you will have been awake for 24 hours. It's unsafe, and your manager was wrong to make this request of you on such short notice.

Actually pretty much everyone I know does not sleep during the day of their first night shift

Normal for those on rotating shifts

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I'm a night shifter and that 45 min to 1 hr nap would only make me feel more sleepy. I'd go with the stay awake/coffee plan.

[makes needs known]

And a refreshing shower to wake up your mind and body. Never underestimate the power of water!

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

If I can't nap for at least 2-3 hours I don't bother...but this is coming from someone who can and will sleep for 4 hours before a night shift even if I got 8 hours of sleep the night before. Of course you're at work now so it really doesn't matter...

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Naps never worked for me. When I did PRN nights I would just stay up, lots of caffeine and small snacks for throughout the night and would power through it. Usually I was so busy I never even felt tired til I got home and crashed. Then I would sleep about 3-4 hours, get up by noon and resume my regular schedule. PRN is the only way I can handle nights because otherwise it jacks up my body too much.

[tiroka03, LPN]

Most people can't fall sleep on command. You can try, but make sure you have your alarm set, or you will worry about it, and it will keep you awake.

I usually don't sleep during the day on my first night back, but I will drive to work early and sit in the car with an alarm on my ipod. I just kind of drift off in the parking lot. I suppose I can relax, because I am already at work, and the choas of the kids and cooking and cleaning and all the daily living noises are gone. I wake up with the alarm, usually sleep 30 to 45 mins. It really makes a big difference, especially when you have to drive home after it's all over and you have been awake for 24 or more hours.