Early Morning Nurses (and Nursing Students)

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2016

I work 3-11p now, but when I worked days or did clinicals I set multiple alarms. Actually my last semester of nursing school I got up at 0430 because I had an 8 mo. old baby and had to pump before getting ready. You can set a loud one across the room if you're like me and sometimes hit snooze in your sleep. Go to bed early. Get professional advice if insomnia is a regular thing. Lay out your clothes and pack your lunch the night before.

momathoner09, BSN, MSN, APRN · Jun 26, 2016

My shift starts at 6am. I usually clock in around 0545. I set several phone alarms- 0345 and 405, etc. I leave my house between 5-515 depending on how fast I am moving that day. I try to pack my lunch the night before. I try to be in bed between between 8-9 and fast asleep before 10. I usually average about 6-7 hours of sleep on the days I work. It's just hard to go to bed so early. Especially in the summer!

I take unisom or ZzQuil usually the first night. But then the next night I'm usually tired by 8pm. That only works if I work consecutive shifts though. I've never (knock on wood) overslept. I used to get up to run at 5am though so it's not hard for me to get up early.

Once you get in a routine, it's not too hard.

AspiringNurseMW · Jun 26, 2016

Clinicals start at 7 am. Sometimes I have to be there at 630. My clinical sites are anywhere from 30-60 minutes away. And I have 2 small kids. This means must wake up at 430/5 to get to clinicals on time.

Plus, if I'm doing care plans the night before , I'm going to sleep anywhere from 12-3am.

Things I do: prepare meals ahead of time. Whether this means dinner so I have more time to work on care plans and go to sleep earlier, or breakfast so I can simply get up, get dressed and go.

I take a shower the morning of to help wake me up.

I set my alarm 5-10 minutes earlier so I can snooze once or twice and still be on time.

All my clothes and supplies are ready and laid out the night before. Bag packed.

I'm exercising regularly. I have more energy.

Red398 · Jun 26, 2016

Night person here like the 2 previous posters, set multiple alarms. I had to get up at 4:30 to get to clinical on time. For me, nothing made it easier. I just had to suck it up and get up anyway, no matter how little sleep I had. My routine was simple, as I made sure to wash and blow dry my hair the night before, so all I had to do was throw it up, put on my uniform, brush my teeth and go. It was a miserable time.

Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2016

I've just never let myself get into

the habit of snoozing alarms, so I set one and get straight out of bed when it goes off. I wash my hair every morning (otherwise I feel like a greaseball), so by the time I'm halfway through my shower I'm starting to gain consciousness. Then blow dry and a bowl of cereal. I wake up at 5.45 and arrive at 7.15 for a 7.30 start. For me, it's just about sticking to the routine; I don't like getting up early but it's part of adulting, so I get on with it.

nutella, MSN, RN · Jun 27, 2016

Yeah - that is how adult life is ... getting up and planning your life in a way you can do it.

I used to start at 6 am when I was in school because our clinicals started 6 and later first shift started at 6 am. I had to get up at 4:15 due to commute and getting ready. That basically meant to go to bed latest 10 pm for me, no wild partying or having a drink before bed or such. Once your body adjusts to getting up early it is easier when you always get up early.

I worked rotation shift and that was terrible in terms of sleep and such as a new graduate.

I am not a morning person by nature and at some point was able to work evening shifts only for a while but had to go back to a different schedule because of my kids.

I get up at 5 am for work and leave the house at 6:45.

I plan on what to wear the night before and make sure that everything is ok - I do not like to iron in the morning.

I am really slow in the morning and I set 2 alarms on my phone.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2016

I'm a hardcore night person who made the switch to working daylight hours within the past year. I never obtain enough sleep simply because I cannot fall asleep at a 'normal' time of night.

To awaken in the morning I set the alarm, muddle through the morning with my coffee to avoid feeling groggy, and just suck it up. If left to my natural devices, I'd sleep in until noon every day.

SilleLu · Jun 27, 2016

Avoid caffeine after 4 pm the night before, two alarms. No more than one snooze. Coffee and wake up slowly while browsing online or reading/watching news. If I have trouble falling asleep night before, I use the 4-7-8 breathing method (google can explain) and find a white noise source.

MountainBikeChick · Jun 27, 2016

Agree with many of the above - no caffeine (though after 1pm for me!), multiple alarms in the morning, and have everything packed. I'll even go so far as to put my breakfast bagel on a plate in the fridge so it's ready. My bags need to be in the car the night before as well, or I'll undoubtedly forget one. I can't tell you how many times I forgot my breast pump at home before I started doing that! I also take melatonin before bed or I can't go to sleep because I'm a night owl. Mornings suck and it's not something I was ever able to get in the habit of, but it's doable.

MPKH, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2016

Not a morning person. For my 0700-1900 shift, I try to be asleep by 2200, and I set my alarm at 0600. I get out of bed after hitting snooze once, brush my teeth and wash my face, and change into my scrubs. I aim to start my drive between 0630-0640. I don't eat breakfast at home (that's what my first break is for!), and live close to work. For the most part, I suck it up.

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2016

Oh, damn clinicals. I would be up until past midnight finishing care plans and then would have to wake up by 4:00 to get ready. I'd come half an hour early to get patient med lists ready and all that. I was not a morning person then and still am not. What motivated me was, well, I had to get up. Same when I started working as a nurse. Now I feel more energetic in the morning because I started going to the gym, even on work days. Yes, I have to get up at 4:00 but it helps wake me up more. Wish I started doing this earlier.