Help me feel better about this - Full time 8 hour nights

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I just graduated in May and was thrilled to get a job within a month of graduating with the hospital system i most wanted to be a part of..

I have gone through 2 months of orientation and am in my last couple weeks and have now been put on my regular shift.. 8 hour nights..

I've only done 8 of them (5 in a row, 2 off, 3 more, now i'm on 1 off, then 5 more in a row) and i am feeling horrible, and depressed and trapped, and upset.. and to top it off i'm sick! omg.. i feel like a big complaining baby, but i really dont think i can handle this. I have 2 children, ages 9 & 10, and i feel like i am just completely miserable or sleeping now all the time.. not really how i had envisioned this going..

so has anyone done this and survived?? am i stuck? Should i just find another position somewhere else, even for less pay? i am just feeling horrid. :(

I work nights and I would add use sleep aids if necessary. I do. I don't sleep days naturally, and it makes sure I get the rest I need, or close to it.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Having kids that young I don't think it's worth it at all. Three 12 hour shifts a week is doable but five 8's in a row? When do you have family time?

You have family time between when you get up (4PM? 5?) and when you leave for work at 10 PM or so -- by which time young children will already be in bed.

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He day evening position is 3 days/week mostly 7a - 3p with some 3p - 11p.. And then I can pick up whatever shifts work for me. I should hear about that this week.. Right now I basically sleep when the kids are in school and then take another nap before work.. And I still feel like a zombie all the time. I've also bid off to a bunch of other positions and it seems like this stage in my life shouldnt last long.. So that's good at least. Hopefully only 2.5 more months.. Ok just got home so I'm off to bed!

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good luck :)

jeez the other contender had to take a med calc test, it's been awhile since i REALLY had to jump through hoops, lol

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UPDATE!! Off of night shift starting next month!!!!! Had to sacrifice full time stays to do it which means my health insurance cost goes up significantly and I'm only scheduled 24 hours/week but there is a ton of time to pick up in the hospital so I'm sure I'll be fine!!!

Thank you you for all your advice and support!

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I worked permanent 12 hour nights for 4 years. I feel the same way you do OP now that I work days. Nights are rough on the body though and some people can't do them.

If you're finding the same after a few more months, try switching to days or evenings.

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8 hour nights?!! Not cool! I would totally rather work 3 12s! Can you ask for some kind of leniency? Or trade half days with eves to make 12s for the both of you?

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I will never give up my 12 hour nights. If I could I would opt for two 16's and have 5 days off ? ... Just getting ready to go to work is a pain to endure! I'd rather do it only 2-3 nights a week than 5!

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Specializes in geriatric/long term care.

As a new grad you have to pay your dues I spent two years on NOCS out of school before I landed a daylight gig I never really got the hang of sleeping during the day but keep your eyes and ears open you never know when a d a flight opportunity will present itself. Hang in there you'll be fine

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