How Can I Get Acclimated to the Midnight Shift?

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Specializes in Hospice, Adult Med/Surg.

I am an RN who has not worked in nursing for the past five years. I recently got a job working the night shift in a small, inpatient hospice unit (11P-7A) that I really like. However, I am totally a morning/day person and no matter how hard I try, I can't sleep during the day and I start shutting down by 2 AM when I'm at work, meaning that I can't keep my eyes open, my mind goes kind of foggy, and I get really cold, like my body is trying really hard to go to sleep in spite of the fact that I am trying to stay awake. Does anyone have any suggestions that might help? I am normally a good nurse, but when I feel like this I can't even concentrate. Right now I am still on orientation and working about 3-4 nights/week but after that I will only work about 2-3 nights/week. The place that hired me has a position open on 3P-11P which is a much better shift for me, but one of the ladies in HR told me that the normal policy is for someone to work in a position for six months before switching to another one. I really want to go to my supervisor and explain all of this to her, but she is a little intimidating and I am afraid that she will take it like I am complaining and that I am not flexible.

Help!

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I would drink a 5 hour energy before I started and those were wonderful!!

For what it's worth, apply for the 3-11 shift. Most employers promote from within first and if no one else applies, you may just get lucky!!! Good luck!

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Specializes in Hospice, Adult Med/Surg.

Thanks, I have asked about working 3-11 instead. One lady in HR told me that she would look into it and discuss it with my supervisor but I haven't heard anything from her yet and that was 3-4 days ago, and the other lady in HR told me that the normal policy is for someone to work six months before switching. My husband recently got put on night shifts at his job too, so that means that our two kids, who are 16 and 18 but still...are home alone all night, which worries me. His hours changed after I accepted this 11-7 shift job. Would you go to the supervisor and tell her that, or do you think that she would probably just think, "Oh, well. Hire someone to stay with them", or, "They're old enough to stay alone, big deal." I'm so frustrated right now!

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By all means TALK TO YOUR SUPERVISOR. At least she will be aware of your desire to work a different shift. She may move you prior to the six month period. It depends a lot on staffing needs. In the mean time strive for 4 hrs minimum straight sleep. Use blackout curtains to maintain a dark room for sleeping. Utilize white noise to prevent being woken by the inconsistent noises of a daytime environment. Or use a sleep mask and earplugs. Wearing dark sunglasses and a hat when you exit the building in the morning actually does help. Avoid nighttime snacking/stimulants. Being exposed to light during night time hrs does effect your cortisol levels so bear that in mind. Sleep deprivation can lead to health complications. As working the night shift will not be a permanent choice for you you may want to discuss options with your MD. A sleep aid may be needed to help you get acclimated to the schedule for now. And try to stick to the same schedule/routine as much as possible. And don't be afraid to tell others when you are unbearably tired. People are more understanding when they know what is going on. I hope it works out for you.

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I would stay away from all caffeine sources (and those Vitamin B drinks including 5-hour energy) and drink plenty of water. At home you really need to get some blackout curtains for the bedroom and buy one of those stand-up fans to give you some background noise while sleeping. If you are married and have kids make sure everyone knows that you need your sleep and you are to not be interrupted unless the house is literally burning down. Turn off your cell phone and make sure that everyone knows that you will not be answering the door for any reason. Make sure you are eating healthy (bring some snacks to work but also one *hot* meal) and try to get some exercise during the week. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac Cath Lab.
By all means TALK TO YOUR SUPERVISOR. At least she will be aware of your desire to work a different shift. She may move you prior to the six month period. It depends a lot on staffing needs. In the mean time strive for 4 hrs minimum straight sleep. Use blackout curtains to maintain a dark room for sleeping. Utilize white noise to prevent being woken by the inconsistent noises of a daytime environment. Or use a sleep mask and earplugs. Wearing dark sunglasses and a hat when you exit the building in the morning actually does help. Avoid nighttime snacking/stimulants. Being exposed to light during night time hrs does effect your cortisol levels so bear that in mind. Sleep deprivation can lead to health complications. As working the night shift will not be a permanent choice for you you may want to discuss options with your MD. A sleep aid may be needed to help you get acclimated to the schedule for now. And try to stick to the same schedule/routine as much as possible. And don't be afraid to tell others when you are unbearably tired. People are more understanding when they know what is going on. I hope it works out for you.

Excellent answer! I agree with all of these suggestions. Blackout curtains are an absolute MUST, IMO. I found that I always felt the best when I came straight home from work (off at 0730) and went to bed, rather than trying to stay up and take a nap later. Good luck! NOC shift is tough, but I loved the team-oriented environment that seemed only to exist at night in my (former) unit.

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I worked the night shift for many years and i found that treating it like a day shift worked best. Try staying up for a few hours (i was bed at about 10 am) and get up a little later, say 6pm. after a few weeks you get used to it and your body adjusts, at least mine did. Hope it helps.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
I start shutting down by 2 AM when I'm at work, meaning that I can't keep my eyes open, my mind goes kind of foggy, and I get really cold, like my body is trying really hard to go to sleep in spite of the fact that I am trying to stay awake.

When I worked nights we used to call this "hitting the wall". Usually for me it hit between 3 and 4 AM. I used to go outside and walk a bit in the fresh air for a few minutes (I worked in an area where I could do this).

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Stay with about the same schedule everyday. On your days off stay up until at least 2 or 3am. Don't try to become a day person when you don't work. ;)

You could try some melatonin to aid you in getting to sleep when you get home.

Be very firm with everyone around you with regards to your sleep schedule.

It takes a good 6 weeks to really get used to night shift.

:)

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Specializes in Hospice, Adult Med/Surg.

Thanks so much to all of you for taking the time to reply. I found out earlier today that there is a possibility that I may be able to switch to the unfilled 3-11 position, so that would be my first choice, but if I stay on nights, you all have given me some really great advice that I will put into practice.

Thanks again! :)

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
Don't try to become a day person when you don't work.

I made the mistake of trying this once, and it kicked my butt - especially on the day I returned to work after my days off.

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I worked nights for years and I had the same difficulty as you, esp. freezing to death as I was fighting off sleep. It was awful and I never got used to it. Actually, the older I got the worse it got. Two things that did help - exercising right before going to work, like a good half hour of running. Conversely, getting a good nap and waking up right before going to work.

Some people are just not night shifters and I'm one of them. I could never sleep during the day and all I wanted to do at night was sleep. Good luck.

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