First time working night shift!

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Hi everyone,

I'm schedule to work night shift this coming week and this is my FIRST time working night shift...I tried staying awake last night preparing for this Monday, but I couldn't stay up past 1! Can anyone give me pointers/advice on how I can stay awake and feel like this --->:crying2:?

Specializes in NICU.
Interesting that you mention that you have puffy ankles. I've been in the working world more than 20 years and most jobs I've had, I've been on my feet. Had a fun teaching job that kept me outside in the Central California summers, on hot asphalt in hiking boots 8 hours at a whack... and I didn't get puffy ankles.

The morning after my first night shift I was ready to check into the ED because my ankles were so swollen. Well not really ready for the ED, but I did talk to my doctor about it. 2+ pitting edema in me is CRAZY.

I started wearing compression socks, almost like TEDS... but with only 30 mm/hg. HUGE difference. Swelling gone. Rite aid has them for men and women. Pricey at $15 a pair, but well worth it. No swelling and my feet don't hurt at all.

I don't get any swelling when I work days, only nights.

I'll have to try those stockings. It's funny that it occurs at night because I don't think my activity level is a whole lot different than the day. Things are a little calmer, but that means more time to walk the halls or climb the stairs.

I wonder if it isn't something hormonal? Don't they say that most heart attacks occur in the early morning? I could be way off on that.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I cannot overemphasize how important it is to stay hydrated. I find that when I'm dehydrated I don't sleep well because my body wants something to drink. (Course then when you drink you have to pee, but you'll find your balance.) Esp if you are drinking caffeinated stuff to stay awake - caffeine WILL dehydrate you.

What I usually do is drink some water right before I leave work. By the time I get home (40 min) I have to pee. Then I take my sleep aid (empty stomach), shower, eat breakfast, and am out when I hit the pillow.

It has taken me 2.5 years to figure all this out, but I would not trade my nights for a million bucks....20 million, maybe. ;) Best of luck to you.

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its 4am here and i'm dreading these last 2 hours! night shift really stinks! =(

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Specializes in NICU.

As a die-hard night-shift lover ..... I'm wondering how in the world anyone could wake up at 5 am to get ready to go to work, and then drive through rush hour?!

I'll stick with waking up at 4 pm, avoiding rush hour, and getting paid more. I'm a total nightowl :D

Like the others have said, if you only have 1 day off in between, don't try to switch your internal clock around ..... just stay up late and sleep in, then you'll be good to go in the next night.

Good luck!

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Be careful with tylenol pm/benadryl as it can increase BP with frequent use (i had to go on BP meds for 6 months to bring it down to normal after stopping diphenhidramine). I take Lunesta and am able to sleep 7 hours with no interruption. If you explaim to your MD you are a night nurse he/she will have no problem perscribing it for you.

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