3-11 FT to 7p-7a FT?

robred · Jul 31, 2005

I originally inserted this in the ICU/MICU forum but does not get a lot of feed back and can pertain to all nursing as well: Well I've finally made up my mind to go into ICU nursing. I really need a change from my med surg unit. I like the idea of doing a great deal of work with just a few pts that I can be very detailed with each one.
I'm reading these ICU/MICU notes a nurse wrote online (http://www.icufaqs.org/) to look into what is done and going to ask the icu i plan to go into about nurse to pt ratios, orientation, and just how they like it. I'm also planning on geting the book Core Curriculum for Critical Care by Joann Gif Alspach from AACN (http://www.aacn.org). Our union pres is on this shift as well which I find very handy.
I'm doing 8 hours 3-11pm now 64hours/week. My big issue besides orienting to ICU is going to be working 12 hour shifts (72hrs/wk) and it being 7p-7a and trying to adjust between offwork life and work. How do night shift 12 hours accomplish this? I mean sleeping and eating and your days off? I figure days I work and I only ever want to work 2 days in a row not 3. But work 7p-7a get home 9am sleep until 5pm then ready to go to work if in a row but then it gets tricky the day off. I'll get home from work sleep then it's 5pm and I will not be doing stuff till 7am next morning! So maybe get to bed 3am wake up 11am next day and sort of rotate like that. And can take naps if i need to. So can anyone tell me how they adjust there time, sleep, meals, days off to 12 hour nights? THANKS!
Also anyone read or now of the AACN's book AACN Procedure Manual for Critical Care? I was going to get the Core Curriculum one b/c it's outline format not as detailed but more succint for me. Maybe the procedure one would be too detailed but curious if anyone knows of them what they think. I used to be get the most info but I want to be practical. Short, sweet, and too the point.
Well, the simple truth is that it's dependent on you. Some people need more sleep to live happy, productive lives. Others need less. And some say that we all need 8 hrs of zzzz's. When I worked 12 hr nocs, I would sleep all day in between shifts, but would only nap on the morning of my day(s) off after working all night. You will be working 8 hrs more per pay period, so you are actually working more....and it will likely feel that way. Personally, I'm not a night person after 2 am, so I was happy to go to the 40 hrs per wk FT position that I hold now. It will be an adjustment for you, but I did learn alot about myself, my coworkers and my pts in the dead of nite that I wouldn't have on any other shift. Above all else, remember to get some exercise whenever possible and to eat well (avoid alot of the munchies and junk food that find their way onto nocs).
The AACN Proc Man is interesting, but your main source of learning really should be your preceptor. He/she should be explaining everything and you should be asking many , many questions. Your hospital library might have that book as well as the Core Cirriculum (which is a pretty dry read).
Although it will be awhile before you will be eligible to test for CCRN certification, if you want a great reference, I highly recommend Robin Dennison's PASS CCRN as a text to learn the ins and outs of critical care nursing.
Good Luck!

mysticalwaters1 · Jul 31, 2005

I originally inserted this in the Well, the simple truth is that it's dependent on you. Some people need more sleep to live happy, productive lives. Others need less. And some say that we all need 8 hrs of zzzz's. When I worked 12 hr nocs, I would sleep all day in between shifts, but would only nap on the morning of my day(s) off after working all night. You will be working 8 hrs more per pay period, so you are actually working more....and it will likely feel that way. Personally, I'm not a night person after 2 am, so I was happy to go to the 40 hrs per wk FT position that I hold now. It will be an adjustment for you, but I did learn alot about myself, my coworkers and my pts in the dead of nite that I wouldn't have on any other shift. Above all else, remember to get some exercise whenever possible and to eat well (avoid alot of the munchies and junk food that find their way onto nocs).
The AACN Proc Man is interesting, but your main source of learning really should be your preceptor. He/she should be explaining everything and you should be asking many , many questions. Your hospital library might have that book as well as the Core Cirriculum (which is a pretty dry read).
Although it will be awhile before you will be eligible to test for CCRN certification, if you want a great reference, I highly recommend Robin Dennison's PASS CCRN as a text to learn the ins and outs of critical care nursing.
Good Luck!

Thanks I'll check that all out. unfortunately I'm finding I need at least 8 hours of sleep. And I find if it's broken I'm dead tired! Thanks for the food bit advice. I'm unhealthy as it is! I figure the cafeteria closes 1845 get there 1830 get food and save it for the night and make it healthy. My excercise has been the video game dance dance revolutions a dance on a pad set game. I have to becareful and not break an ankle though! Anyway thank you very much for the advice!