Do you find the flip-flopping of nights easier or harder in the summer?

[seemerun]

I have been on nights almost 2 years. Started on 8's and changed to 12's in January. It seems so much easier on 12's - I am more tied when I come home so i get to sleep sooner and the fewer days at work seemed to help too. But since summer started my sleep pattern has been really messed up. Can't get my usual six hours of sleep for the life of me! Also can't seem to get back on a day shift very easily during my time off. Not sure what the problem is?

I still go right to bed (even though I want to play in the sun!) and I have a room in the basement so I don't think it's an issue of too much light coming in.

[SwansonRN]

Hmmm...hard to say. I guess sleeping is easier in the winter, but I think rotating exacerbates my self diagnosed seasonal affective d/o. In the summer I find it difficult to sleep past 2 or 3 after working a night, but I don't mind. I enjoy seeing the sun and feeling like part of the real world for a few hours before heading off to work :)

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I found sleeping during the day to be easier in the winter. It's not like there was anything I wanted to do those days in the winter anyway. In the summer was another story.

[Mully]

It takes some working out to figure what is best for you. Personally, I've started using Melatonin about once or twice a week (my second night on or my first night off) and that has helped a lot. Summer's hard because all you want to do is go outside!

[Rhi007]

Phernergan!!!! Helps with any allergies you have and the bonus of drifting right off.....funny enough benzos don't help me at all but phernergan does