New to night shift

Nurses Stress 101

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Specializes in Intake, Home Care.

Hi everyone! New grad RN who just signed onto PDN for the night shift. It's one patient, 11pm-7am.

Question, our schedule is pretty airtight. So I initially volunteered for Thur-Sun, 11-7. Giving me 3 days off. I go to school (RN-BSN) 4-7 M-W. My plan was to go to the gym at 9-930pm. Get to my case by 1045, and get started. When I get off at 7, go home, possibly run the munchkin to school (depending on husbands schedule), and then heading to bed no later that 8am. Sleep until 2(I have my sanctuary already, blackout curtain and fan ready). Sleep can be modified to 315 or so if needed.

How does that look? Does it look manageable? I have friends who work nights and they say no more than 3 in a row. What's your opinion? I'm allowed to watch Tv, do schoolwork, etc while he sleeps. Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

My only concern is that you are only allowing yourself 6 hours of sleep. You likely will need more sleep.

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Specializes in Intake, Home Care.

Fair enough. Perhaps I should schedule a nap on the weekdays, and weekends just sleep in. Thank you so much! I was an active duty Marine for 10 years so I know this can be done (the biological clock part) just gotta figure it out :)

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Be sure and search this site for a plethora of threads regarding night shift adaptation. I actually teach a class on this topic at my hospital for orientees. There IS evidence out there (most of it in aviation and trucking industries) and my doctoral work is developing a webinar regarding best practices for night nurses.

Good luck- PDN at night is a great gig. I completed my entire online MSN while working a peds vent case. (I like to think I got paid to earn that degree!)

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Specializes in Intake, Home Care.
Be sure and search this site for a plethora of threads regarding night shift adaptation. I actually teach a class on this topic at my hospital for orientees. There IS evidence out there (most of it in aviation and trucking industries) and my doctoral work is developing a webinar regarding best practices for night nurses.

Good luck- PDN at night is a great gig. I completed my entire online MSN while working a peds vent case. (I like to think I got paid to earn that degree!)

Thank you so much. I apologize for being someone that posts about stuff that's already posted. New Nurse, New Grad, pressure, don't want to mess it up and would love to use this opportunity for school and whatnot. Thank you!

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Sounds good, but stick to a routine. I can't stress enough how important that is! And yes no more than 3 nights in row!

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I sleep more on night shift that on days. I keep the same sleeping schedule all the time though. I really hate switching back and forth. It just kills my mood and I'm in a fog the days i try and stay awake. I used to sleep 7hr a night naturally. Now I sleep 9 because it's just not as restful.

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