Is night shift right for me?

[PACU queen]

I have been working nights for 5-6 months now. At first, I got a little sick. The second month I seemed to be adjusting pretty well. Now, lately, I am not sure. I feel as though I cannot think straight sometimes. The hardest part is the last 2 hours..I feel so drained ..like it is the hardest thing to get up out of the chair! I have noticed that I have gotton chubbier...which is concerning me alot. However, I don't know if I could handle days with all the chaos. I feel like I would be a tad more alert but stressed on days .

What should I do?

I also have been having weird mood swings...is that from working nights?

What about the gaining weight thing?

Anybody else relate?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I have always preferred nights due to the lack of physicians and nurse managers breathing down my neck. Nights, in my opinion, tended to be peaceful and less stressful. However, you are the only person who truly knows whether night shifts are right for you. Good luck!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I physically was feeling run down after 14 years of nights.

I feared I couldn't handle the chaos either, but I figured if my peers could so could I. I think more experienced you are the easier it could be.

Fortunately where I work managers and doctors don't breath down your neck. I rarely see management and that's o.k. with me. The docs make their rounds, do their thing but don't bother me.

I rather like having resources like PT, OT and ST, case managers on hand.

[kiszi, RN]

I worked nights for 2 years in a factory, and am just about to start my first LPN job on nights. I can tell you from experience that if you look out for your 2 main needs of sleep and food, it can make a big difference in how you feel.

I worked with a lot of people on nites that didn't eat anything their whole shift!! I just could never understand this! Your body needs fuel! For you, it might mean a little snack with some protein to get you thru the last couple hours. Personally, I would bring in a lunch to have at about 3 or 4, then a granola bar or something for later.

And don't neglect your sleep!! When on dayshift, you would expect at least 6 or 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep at about the same time each nite, right? Well, same goes for day sleeping! Go to bed at the same time every day if you possibly can, and remember that 3 and 4 hours at different times is not the same as 7 hours in a row!

as for packing on a couple pounds, that happened to me too. right after the darn place installed vending machines! :angryfire

Yah, I had mood swings, too. More so on my days OFF, actuallly.(due to sleeping differently)-- I just started taking melatonin...we'll see how that works out.

luck to you!

k