Days off after midnights

ERNurse752, RN · Jul 23, 2002

I have the same problem you have...I started out doing nights in October, and I was OK for awhile...but I seem to be getting more and more tired.

I slept for about 12 hours last night too, hehe.

I didn't do a thing but watch TV and sleep yesterday (I was supposed to work out), and today I've managed eating breakfast and taking a shower...

Time will tell if I manage to get out of the house to do some shopping and work out today!

Hopefully someone else will have some actual tips for you!

Sleepyeyes · Jul 23, 2002

Yeah, it's true, I have my "sleepytime" days off; slept all weekend I think. But here I am, tapping away at the keyboard on 4 hours of sleep, and it'll probably be that way all week long.

And who knows if my next day off will find me moseying over to Walmart at 3 am??? To save money on school stuff, of course.... :chuckle

adrienurse, LPN · Jul 23, 2002

:zzzzz :zzzzz :zzzzz :zzzzz

I work 50% nifht shifts. When I am off, I gorge on sleep. I think that even if you sleep enough hours, the quality just isn't there, so you have to play catch up. Really hard to get anything done, though if I'm just sleeping all the time.

It's a feast or famine situation.

stressedlpn · Jul 23, 2002

I've learned to stay up after my last night shift that way I get on a somewhat normal sleep schedule for the next 3 days. I have been told that I must have caffine in my veins due to all the coffee I consume, thats not to say when I put my 2 year old down for his nap I dont sneak a few ZZZs been wking night shift for around 7 mos now silver lining is that next week I get to go back to days YEA!!! lets face it yall when you wk pm you have no life. I wk 12 hour shifts so it feels like I am a zombie around the third shift. not to mention I look like one of the walking dead. We always say you can spot someone who works pm just by looking at them, huge black bags under the eyes, dark shades during the day and the look of astonishment on their faces when they get to see the daylight

Love-A-Nurse · Jul 23, 2002

if i can get to sleep as soon as i get home from my 12 hour shifts, i ususal am okay. yesterday moring after getting off at 7a, i had orientation and did not get home until early afternoon and when i did get to sleep, early evening, i awaken this morning at 12:30 and was not able to go back to sleep until around 5:30 this morning and was up again at 9 or so. i am going to try and get a good night sleep tonight.

BBnurse34 · Jul 23, 2002

I work three twelves in a row 7p-7a. My first night off is a total waste also. The only way that I have learned to get around it is to make lunch and a movie plans with my husband and not eat breakfast before I go to bed. That way I wake up hungry by noon and ready to go out. Then by 10pm I am exausted and ready to keep a normal schedule for my days off.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jul 24, 2002

When I worked nights full time I found it had to be an all or nothing lifestyle for me or I felt like pounded dog turds after my "day off." I kept the same schedule week-round. Up all noc even when I was off. But everyone reacts to it differently. I love the true nights owls - they are such a joy to work the graveyard shift with :).

kewlnurse · Jul 24, 2002

I usually work fri/sat/sun by choice andd this is my weekely schedule for the most part.

Monday sleep from 0830 till noonish, golf course by 2 for a quick 9, bed by 00000

tuesday up by 10, golf course by 1130 usually bed by 0200

wensday up wiht the boy and the baby by 0715 bed by 0000

thursday same as tuesday usually go outfor a few pints as well, bed by 0200

friday sleep till 10 is, golf course, back in bed 1400-1700 work 1900 till 0800

saturday sleep till noonish, back to be at 1400-1700

sunday somtime is sleep till noonish then back to ed at 1400-1700, somtimes sleep through till 1600 (get up at 1100 or soo to use the batrhroom)

Works pretty damn good for me

joyrochelle · Jul 24, 2002

I guess i am doing alright.... except for all the people I went to nursing school with, everyone in my life are day people....got a little miffed cuz my boy told i was really " konked out....sleeping so much" lately....but my day preceptor who came on last shift when we were reporting off told me I looked " good" despite....must be the green tea, cherries and kettle corn.

of course he is bed and I am up with a beverage and enjoying the new cd's i got in the mail today.

poor kid doesn't stand a chance when we get a house togther in september.

maybe i am meant to be single afterall!

until nursing school iwas alway nocturnal...now i am kinda screwed up.

thanks for your input, ya'll.

love to hear more....really...

Cherry Soda · Jul 24, 2002

I'm new to nights (12hr). Sick thing is, I'm starting to get used to it. BUT. it is very hard to have a life.

My first day off is a joke because I get home about 8:30am and go to sleep at around 9:30am and try to sleep only a few hours but am sooo tired, that I sleep till 5pm. lol Then I'm up allll night. My next day off I sleep late and then it's a waste. Then, back to work!

I might try staying up my first day off, but then I'm a zombie.

I feel more rested just staying up all night every night and sleeping the day away. Too bad no one is around to hang with at night though!!!

I know I probably haven't helped at all, but don't feel bad. You are not the only tired night chick.

Cherry

adrienurse, LPN · Jul 24, 2002

As for your days off: I always feel that you're better off getting too much sleep, then not enough. Listen to your body. This working nights thing is very unhealthy, but unfortunately a necessary evil. P.S. Don't forget to get your vitamin D.