Going from days to nights.....

AwayWeGo · Mar 18, 2011

I would take the night shift position. Especially being new to the unit, night shift tends to have fewer interruptions and makes it a little easier on the new nurse. Not saying night shift is easy, just different. Once you gain experience you can always look into switching to a day shift when available. Good luck! :)

Vanillanut, DNP, RN, APRN · Mar 18, 2011

What is your terror based on? I work 12 hour swings (2x 12 hr days, followed by 2x 12 hr nights, 5 days off, repeat the cycle) and it's total chaos on circadian rhythms..... but I do love my job (and other aspects of the job) so for me, its worth it.

I would definitely try it. You might actually get used to it and enjoy it. The first week or so just prepare yourself mentally for an uncomfortable shift in biorhythms. But I suspect once you're over the "hump" you'll be fine. Not to mention having that kind of experience/foot in the door holds a lot of weight these days.

Love_2_Learn · Mar 18, 2011

One secret to surviving night shift is to fool your body into thinking day is night. To do this you must make your bedroom as dark as possible. Paint the walls a darker color (dark taupe or a nice brown), use room darkening shades, dark mini-blinds, dark curtains and JC Penney's catalog sells these thick liners you can hang along the back of your curtains that darken the room and also act to keep cold/hot air from radiating through your window. (Use all at the same time if you need to... aim to make the room like it is night outside.) Also, use dark colored sheets, blankets and comforter (if you open your eyes a lighter color will jolt you awake more than the darker colors will). Keep your bedroom air temperature cool too. Try not to drink caffeine, and avoid sugar, for at least 4-6 hours before sleeping and don't play on your computer or watch tv before you go to sleep. Reading in bed is very good though. Oh yes, wear sunglasses on the way home and don't look towards the sun. Don't exercise when you get off work but do it when you get up from sleeping instead. Eat healthy foods, not junk food. Try eating some fruit and milk product before bed if you are hungry (apple slices with cheese) to naturally induce sleep. A nice hot shower and lavender soap/lotion can help. Even taking a bit of extra magnesium before bedtime can help (I learned that in a book about insomnia and menopause.) I've worked nights for a very long time and seen many nurses over the years come and go. They all agree with these tips. Some folks do fine on nights, some do "ok" and a few barely survive. I swear there is a gene for being a "night person". It seems that 4:00 am is a magic time when people get really sleepy, sometimes to the point of mild nausea. You may feel cold as your body is trying to shut down to go to sleep too. I've known a couple of folks who swore nights made them constipated too.

Hopefully you will learn a lot and soon get a day shift position. If this area is your passion, it will work out as it should.

By the way, I just learned another tip to resolve insomnia. When you crawl into bed lay there and remember your day in the most detail you possibly can. Start with when you woke up, went to the bathroom, brushed your teeth, prepared your coffee or tea, showered, dressed, etc. and don't leave out any detail. Try to remember it all as if you are reliving it completely. I hear that most people fall asleep by the time they reach about their 3rd hour of the day...

Good luck!

dreamgirl333 · Mar 18, 2011

I think you should take it. Being new to the field, it's nice if you can learn one at a time (not overwhelmed) since NOC is not as busy as day shift. And you can get used to the facility first.

I'm working NOC too for almost 6 months now. My sleeping schedule is messed up, but other than that, I like NOC. My body is still not used to working NOC, even after 6 months, but at least I get some experience.

nurseg09 · Mar 18, 2011

It will be hard at first, but here's my word of advice. The night before you have to work a 12hr night shift, sleep at a normal hour or you can stay up a little later, but I would advise nothing past 1am. Sleep for a good 8 hours or whatever your body likes, but DO NOT over sleep. Wake up say 10am and get some stuff done. Then around 3pm or so take a nap until about 5-6pm (depending on how long your commute will be). Then get your "day" started as you would for a day shift.

Some people like to sleep during their lunch break instead of eating, but that would be something you need to figure out because you know your body best. I didn't like to sleep during my lunch break because it made me even more tired so if anything I would only take a 15 min power nap.

To get back onto a day schedule for your days off, I would suggest not sleeping in. Say you worked Monday night and get home Tuesday morning and have the next 2 days off. I would sleep for about 4-5 hours and try to be awake by 12pm to get my body back to a "normal person schedule".

Also starting on a new unit on night shift allows you to have more time to think things through and look up certain disease processes, plan of care for the patient, etc. I worked both night and day shift and I'm a new grad. So one of the few perks was that I was able to read up more about my patients course of hospitalization and give better hand off reports!

Good luck!!

OldNurseEducator · Mar 18, 2011

One secret to surviving night shift is to fool your body into thinking day is night. To do this you must make your bedroom as dark as possible. Paint the walls a darker color (dark taupe or a nice brown), use room darkening shades, dark mini-blinds, dark curtains and JC Penney's catalog sells these thick liners you can hang along the back of your curtains that darken the room and also act to keep cold/hot air from radiating through your window. (Use all at the same time if you need to... aim to make the room like it is night outside.) Also, use dark colored sheets, blankets and comforter (if you open your eyes a lighter color will jolt you awake more than the darker colors will). Keep your bedroom air temperature cool too. Try not to drink caffeine, and avoid sugar, for at least 4-6 hours before sleeping and don't play on your computer or watch tv before you go to sleep. Reading in bed is very good though. Oh yes, wear sunglasses on the way home and don't look towards the sun. Don't exercise when you get off work but do it when you get up from sleeping instead. Eat healthy foods, not junk food. Try eating some fruit and milk product before bed if you are hungry (apple slices with cheese) to naturally induce sleep. A nice hot shower and lavender soap/lotion can help. Even taking a bit of extra magnesium before bedtime can help (I learned that in a book about insomnia and menopause.) I've worked nights for a very long time and seen many nurses over the years come and go. They all agree with these tips. Some folks do fine on nights, some do "ok" and a few barely survive. I swear there is a gene for being a "night person". It seems that 4:00 am is a magic time when people get really sleepy, sometimes to the point of mild nausea. You may feel cold as your body is trying to shut down to go to sleep too. I've known a couple of folks who swore nights made them constipated too.
Hopefully you will learn a lot and soon get a day shift position. If this area is your passion, it will work out as it should.
By the way, I just learned another tip to resolve insomnia. When you crawl into bed lay there and remember your day in the most detail you possibly can. Start with when you woke up, went to the bathroom, brushed your teeth, prepared your coffee or tea, showered, dressed, etc. and don't leave out any detail. Try to remember it all as if you are reliving it completely. I hear that most people fall asleep by the time they reach about their 3rd hour of the day...
Good luck!

What a thoughtful post! WOW!!!:) :nurse:

hparker522 · Mar 18, 2011

Thank you everyone for the comments. I have decided to take the position. I will definitely be using all of your tips and suggestions. Thank you again!

OldNurseEducator · Mar 18, 2011

Thank you everyone for the comments. I have decided to take the position. I will definitely be using all of your tips and suggestions. Thank you again!

Good luck! :clown: :heartbeat:nurse:

prinsessa · Mar 18, 2011

Just want to wish you good luck! I am also switching from days to nights. I know it will be an adjustment but I need to change jobs. I don't know when you plan on sleeping but will probably sleep from around 8A to whenever my kids get home at 3P. And you never know when a dayshift position will open up.