First nightshift down

[gtoko]

I did it. I survived my first nightshift. I drank 3 cups of coffee,stopped at 0300.I started to really feel tired at 0500,but I managed to stay awake. I got home about 0830 and slept until 1230, and then bam, I am awake. I have to go back tonight and I feel tired already.

I missed not being able to get my little ones to bed and coming home to an empty house this morning was depressing. Hubs took kiddo to daycare. It was so depressing.

I know it was only mt first night,but I am feeling so tired and discouraged already. The staff was not helpful and I can tell I am going to get the most awful schedule. Please tell me it will get better.

Thanks for letting me rant.

[silverbat]

I worked nights for 15 years. LOVED IT!! Did take a few weks to adjust, especially with kids, but they adjust too, quicker than getting friiends/families adjusted to you being asleep when they are awake. I usually slept until noon when I had the next night off, then went to bed at midnight or later.

I really had no problems when I worked 2-3 on, then at least 2 off. one off, one on is a killer!!

When I started Days, it took me months, I swear, to get used to getting up at the time I used to go to bed!!! 3 years later, and I STILL wish they started mornings either alittle later, or let me work nights!!! LOL Best of wishes and keep on truckin'!

[JenforRN]

Are day/night rotations really that bad?? Now I'm scared, because all the hospitals near me (same company) require dddnnn + 5 off schedules for every full time nurse.

[Zookeeper3]

Are day/night rotations really that bad?? Now I'm scared, because all the hospitals near me (same company) require dddnnn + 5 off schedules for every full time nurse.

Can be at first, it's a transition of your sleep pattern, then a mindset to leave all that needs to be done during the day as it is YOUR night time and you have to give yourself "permission to leave the outside world to do what it does because it's not 11am... it's 11pm for you and you've got to be up at the new 5am.

You will be one of two night shifters... go home and sleep then get up and do some house work, dinner running around... or stay up, do doc appt. at 9am, hit shopping the bank, run laundry and then sleep get up and run off. I'm the latter, as I'm still up at 9:40am and will be until 11am until I sleep and work tonight, others crash first thing and then hit the ground running.

hitting the ground running takes patience to learn your body rhythm and how you sleep best, me... I need to unwind first... I couldn't go to sleep at 8pm after working a day job, so 8am is time to get it all done, I relax and can then sleep.