How do you 7P-7A's do it???

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Cardiology/Women's Health.

I need help! I've finally been offered 2 positions in the areas I've been longing to working in (NICU and Post-partum-OB), but they are night shift positions. I have never worked night shift. I currently work 7A-7P. I think I could be more adaptable if the night shift positions were 8's instead of 12's. That's a long time!!! Not to mention, I live in a high-rise building that's undergoing major renovation, which includes a long tuck-pointing project of the exterior. As I sit here now, my head is pounding from the drilling. They usually start about 7am and finish around 4:30pm. There's absolutely no way I would get any restful sleep during this project. As a I understand it, this project will be taking place for months. There is 1 day shift slot open, but they told me they offered it to someone else who had more experience in maternal-child. That doesn't seem right to me. What does one experience have to do with what shift they work? I'm suppose to give them a decision tomorrow. I don't feel right commiting to something that I will regret in the end. Thanks for listening......

I can't say how I DO it, because I haven't started it yet...

but that is my shift as soon as I'm licensed. But God bless ya, He'll help you through.

Maybe ear plugs? Heck, I don't know...

Good Luck to you either way you decide!

Julie:)

Specializes in Everything except surgery.

Hi rndiva,

I have worked 7p to 7a for a while, and I really like it. But it can be a very difficult transistion for those who aren't "nite people". And with your present housing situation, this could make it almost impossible for you to function. My suggestion to you, would be first to wait until a position is available for you on days.

I really don't reccomend you take this position at this time. But if you really want to do it. Here is what I suggest.

Get some good earplugs! Pad your windows, and your doors with foam rubber. This will help decrease some of the sound from outside. No ....it won't look pretty. You can also buy a fan..and place it next to your bed. Not for cooling, but to also help decrease the sound you hear from outside. You could also get one of those white noise machines...that might be very effective also.

Here is a link to a site with some information;

http://www.ergo-2000.com/ergo2000/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Product_ID=622&CATID=57

It is very inexpensive...especially if it gives you the sleep you will need. I would also consider sleeping elsewhere on the days you have worked the nite before. At least until the remoldeling stops.

I suggest these options...only if you're set on taking the nite positions.

I hope you find some or all of this information helpful. Good luck...no matter what your decision. :cool:

Concur with the above. This just may not be the time to switch to nights. Sometimes the universe, or God, tries to tell us things and we're too busy with what we want to notice we got a message on the subject. Just a thought.

We're in the middle of a nursing shortage, positions will come around again, just like buses and men.

I started working nights in 87 and it was recommended to me to get a noise machine, Marsonic, and it has been a sleep-life saver. Most anything can be drowned out. At that time the night shift was the only option for me so it was sink or swim. I tried not to count and obscess about the number of hours I was sleeping and just shook off the tiredness and made sure I got good exercise on the days I wasn't working. I did occasionally take benadryl or ambien to catch up on sleep. The night staffers are so much more laid back I have always felt. The trade offs made it ok for me. However, now in my mid 50's I don't bounce back or sleep adapt as well as I used to. If you have to go this way for a while, just look at the plus side while you are waiting for a day position.

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Howdy yall

from deep in the heat of texas

Ive always worked nights. I dont know how people do it on days. And as far as sleeping I didnt need a noise machine, Ive raised 6 out of 7 kids. Mybe when they are gone, who knows.

doo wah ditty

I just started nights this week and love it. Will take a few days to become acclimated. Some people, I have heard, get physically ill when they work nights. I just flipped my times and mentally transposed 9pm to 9am. When its 2300, I just tell myself that it's 1100am and almost lunch time.

Don't know if I'd be able to handle the noise you have to deal with. Would moving to a quieter community even be an option? Earplugs anyone???

Good Luck,

Anne

I've worked 7p-7a for a number of years. It is ESSENTIAL that you get your rest inbetween shifts. If you get 2 or 3 shifts in a row, all you CAN do is go home and sleep, then get up and do it again. Your body can/will eventually adjust to the time shift, circadian rhythms and all that. But, if you can't get your rest, you won't make it, especially if you're not used to the shift. Think long and hard about this one and how you can get your rest. Motels are good.

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