Night shift for new grads.

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

If you can stay on your nightshift schedule you will adjust better and put your phone on do not disturb during the day

Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

Not a nurse yet, but I am a medical scribe who works the night shift in the ED.

Honestly, night shift has been a struggle, mainly because I'm also a nursing student that obviously goes to school during the daytime hours, so I switch my sleep schedule every week. Some things that help the night crew: bring healthy snacks to keep energy up, drink coffee (not as healthy, but it honestly helps) and get plenty of sleep in between. Good sleep in between shifts will be your best friend.

Dranger · Dec 7, 2015

Working out will suck, days off suck sometimes.

I like the people, pay and work flow better at night though.

Best tip I have is on your last night of a run stay up all day after you get off so you can sleep at a normal time that night. It will make your days off easier.

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Dec 7, 2015

I use a sleep mask, too. I put a few drops of lavender essential oil on it to relax me. It works great.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

A few things that help me when I work nights: Blackout curtains on my bedroom window, a white noise app on my tablet, don't consume any caffeine within an hour of end of shift, and go to bed right away when I get home.

B52, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

I work the 11-7 shift and I go to bed as soon as I get home. I usually sleep until 4 and I'm well rested for the next shift. I keep the same sleep schedule on my days off.

ORNerd, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

I used a sleep mask, earplugs, and had a fan on. I also used black out curtains and had my phone on silent. I was never able to sleep before the first night shift so I always ended up being awake for 24 hours, which was rough. Drink coffee at the beginning of your shift but don't drink it too late in your shift or you might have trouble sleeping afterwards. Try and go to bed as soon as you get home. I knew girls that would work out after a night shift, go shopping, etc. and I have no idea how they had the energy to do that! Drink water and eat as healthy as you can. Easier said than done though-more than once I had healthy snacks with me and I went to the vending machine for some Cheetos instead! Good luck, I loved working nights, they can be a lot of fun!

ontnursec · Dec 7, 2015

The first night is always the worst. I always tried to stay up as late as possible the night before and sleep as long as possible the day of the first night. Lots of people try to nap during the day too, but I'm no good with naps, I can never fall asleep. Of course, you're still going to be tired but once you get through the first night, if you have others after, they are easier. Good luck and congrats on starting your new job!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 7, 2015

Here you go. Lots of good tips herel

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/night-shift-for-531465.html

ambr46 · Dec 7, 2015

Just make sure you get a little sun here and there. When I worked nights I started getting that jail house pallor.

tsm007 · Dec 8, 2015

Here's what I do that's working for me. I have a 1 year old that naps every day at noon until like 3pm. So every day whether I work or not I take a nap between noon and 3. I work from 6p -6a or 11-7. I hate when I work 8s because I feel like I have to stay on the night shift routine ALL the time, but 12s I can flip from my regular day pattern and back to nights. So on the nights before I work if I didn't work before I just take that 3 hour nap. That's enough to get me through a shift. On the nights that I work a full shift I sleep between 9a-3p/4p. I try to work my three days as a one day and then a day off (or 2) and then 2 days on instead of 3 in a row. I feel like it gives me enough time to regroup. I don't have a problem sleeping at night even if I slept during the day. I will get up a little earlier say 1 or 2 instead and go back to bed at night around 11pm or midnight. I found for me personally trying to stay on the night shift routine on my days off made me miserable. I prefer to just switch back and forth and because I take a nap now every day for 2.5-3 hours it makes it easier for me to switch back and forth.