freaking out just about to go to nights!

[erin01]

i am almost done on my orientation. I had 6 weeks on med-surg and another 4weeks on the unit i was hired for which is tele step down. I have two weeks on nights before i go on my own. I am freaking out, i am not sure if i can do nights!!!!!!!!!! I need my sleep. I have a son who is 2 and is up at 530am every morning. I plan on him stay in day care while i sleep or with my mil. But just from working days i am exhausted after work, i cant imagine after working all night=( How do nurse do this? please tell me it will be ok? I am conflicted if i should just ask for a day position or give nights a try and see. Every time i think about it i think maybe it will be better at night and i will be fine, or it wont and i will know from now on i cant do nights ever again. any adv or hugs=)

[kikids]

I've been working nights for a few months now. I agree with what others have said, get the face mask, Bed Bath and Beyond has many kinds. Also I use the box fan. I also agree with those who have said nights can be slow, I bring my nursing magazines so at least it looks like I'm doing something medical related during down time. :wink2: Other nights are busy with late night blood transfusions, patients who have anxiety at night or even new admits who have been sitting in the ER all afternoon and are relieved to finally get to a room. Getting those patients settled in and going over new orders takes time. But all in all, it is a much slower pace. Fortunately at our hospital we are allowed a one hour break each night and I go to a quiet break room and close my eyes from 2-3 am. Regarding kids, I have two young children and I have to say my favorite thing about nights is how much daylight I get to spend with them! Just yesterday we went to the park from 2 pm -5:30 before I had to go to work at 6 pm and I was sitting on a bench watching them play thinking, wow, when I worked days we couldn't do this! Now we could go find fun things to do every day if we wanted to, and I'll always be home when they get home from school. As your child gets older and you have various sporting activities, helping out at school,etc., you'll find having afternoon hours open every day is a wonderful thing. Good luck!