HELP! New grad, work nights, pregnant, depressed!!

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey all, I'll try to keep this brief...

Here's my situation: I'm a new grad (off of orientation since the beginning of September), working full time 7p-7a, 11 weeks pregnant and fighting depression.

I've NEVER had an issue with sad feelings like this. I have been feeling isolated, hopeless, teary, SAD,... just plain blah. At first working at night was new and exciting, but I'm finding I'd rather lock myself in a bathroom for 12 hours than work nights now. I have horrible sleeping habits now, feeling like I'm dragging even on my days off... my life had more quality in nursing school!! I work in the NICU, which I do love, but the nights bring darkened halls, darkened rooms (parents sleeping), and our layout doesn't have a central nursing station... just spread out halls, so I might have one other person on my hall a few doors down to chat with... maybe. I truly think nights are making me depressed! No sunlight and the dark, isolated work environment... UGH.

So, to make the fact that I already feel like a walking zombie & sick all the time (the just worn out immune system feeling)... I'm pregnant with my second child. I'm worried about how I've been feeling and negative effects on the baby. I can't even enjoy my pregnancy... so not like me. I'm just MISERABLE.

Has anyone else dealt with new feelings of despair and loneliness on nights? I know people say I'll adjust, but I'm just seeing NO light at the end of the tunnel. Just plain misery.

My sweet hubby has asked if I could switch to days... I'm on "the list" but it's long, and I'm sure no one would care that I'm (deeply) sad and offer to move me up. Other than that, he's feeling pretty helpless. I'm also a new grad (and pregnant), so finding a day position elsewhere right now just isn't an option. I'm STUCK.

I had NO idea I would react this way to night shift... PLEASE, any insight, words of encouragement or advice would be embraced. I'm getting desperate. 7 more months of this before the baby comes sounds like TORTURE :crying2:

Thanks for your time comrades...

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Specializes in hospice, home care, LTC.

A fairly new grad, night shift, pregnant. Of course you're depressed. Talk to your ob/gyn ASAP re: depression and effect on your unborn child. You and your family needs your highest priority. Only you can give your unborn child the healthiest in utero environment.

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Specializes in Emergency, Critical Care Transport.

Hi Nikki.

Nights are tough on people who are not "night people." I hear you. I'm one of them. I can't imagine being pregnant and dealing with night shift. I go through emotional cycles on night shift as well, not to mention the 10lbs of weight gain and constant sleep deprivation. I know what it's like to want more than anything to be on any kind of day shift, and to just feel totally powerless to change the situation, and how crappy that feels.

Do you have anyone you can talk to? Do you have access to a counselor?

Depression is a tough load to bear, and whether it's "night-induced" or not, it's still there and is not for you to hold alone.

Hugs your way...

Star

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The Employee Assistance Program at your work would be a good place to start.

Take care!

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I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I'm not a night person either. Perhaps a switch to home health or something similar? There are many programs out their dealing with children and perhaps you would be a good fit.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Why don't you quit, or take a leave of absence from ur place of employment, and do agency work instead? It would give u a chance to work mainly what hours u would like, where u want to work and if u can do short/long shifts. I do permanent afternoons usually, and some nightshifts.

I don't see you lasting the next 7 months. U need to really sit down & think re what is right 4 ur family & new baby. Can't u see ur employer after getting a Dr's note re ur depression, and ask at least to do afternoon shift instead of nights? U probably need Melatonin & Vitamin D as well if ur not getting enough sunlight. Take a good multi-vitamin and see management ASAP.

Otherwise ur depression will take over & u will become useless. Also I don't think there are any anti-depressants u can take whilst pregnant, but I would check with ur local Dr. It would be worth asking.

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Specializes in FNP.

I'll be honest, if you tried to bring in a doctors note asking to take someone else's day shift, a) you aren't going to get it and b) you coworkers are going to despise you for it anyway. It will take years to live something like that down. If you can't really meet your present comittment, look for a day position in some other area. If you want to stay there, you are going to have to find a way to make it work. Speak to your OB about antidepressants safe to take during pregnancy, get a habitual sleep schedule going and gets lots of exercise.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Clinic Nursing.

A friend of the family had "Pre partum" depression. She was so depressed she could barely function (even though she was excited to be pregnant). She actually needed to be placed on anti-depressants during her pregnancy. After her daughter was born the depression lifted and she no longer needed to be on anti-depressants. I know this condition is not very common but it might be something you might want to look into.

Best of luck and I hope you feel better.

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

Congrats on the baby and the job! I may be getting into the dreaded "no medical advice" territory on AN but hear goes. It sounds like you are suffering fron sleep deprivation. Adapting to nights takes 6mos to a year for most people. (I've been on nights since 1979) That's a LONG time for the two of you. Talk to your OBGYN, and/or your primary care doc. There may be a pregnancy safe sleep aid you can try. There are lots of threads about dealing with night shift on AN- do a search there is a lot of good advice. It may have nothing to do with the shift- new job-new grad-new baby---- Yikes!! that is enough disruption in your normal routine to make anyone depressed without the addition of night shift. Just the physical strain of growing a new person from your body is enough to wear you out. I am daily more thankful for my "Y" chromosome. If you find an answer please post what worked, I'm sure there are a lot of new night shifters who could use the advice.

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Maybe a HappyLite would help? I'm sorry you're going through such an awful time.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Im a new grad, working the night shift and at just 6 weeks pregnant. Pregnancy is so hard on me with the nights. I have started sleeping 10 to 12 hours a day. Im just exhausted. IM hoping that i will rebound ....IM really sorry , but your not alone.

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I'm a new grad, working the night shift and 23 weeks pregnant. I understand how your feeling. I'm exhausted all of the time. My husband gets frustrated because all I want to do is sleep. But I'm hoping it will get better too. I'm so sorry that you are feeling so bad. Know your not by yourself! It will get better :)

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