How can I tell if I'm cut out for night shift

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · May 14, 2014

I'm a morning person, have been my whole life over 30 yrs. but I've worked nocs successfully.

When I work nocs I take care of myself. Here's what I do:

I prepare for work on my days off by making meals ahead of time, doing laundry and ironing ahead of time, etc. I don't do any major activities during the day when I'm going to work overnight.

I try to sleep 5-8 hours before work. I set 2 alarms so I can make sure I wake up on time. I have everything ready so I can get up an hour before I have to leave.

Eat protein daily. I'm eat vegan most of the time and so I have added eggs to my daily intake. I eat a small meal before I go to work with decent protein, complex carbs, fiber and vegetables.

I start drinking 1 strong coffee before and my shift and finish it during my shift. I bring a zero calorie energy drink with me. Sometimes I use it sometimes I don't. I do not usually eat another large meal at work.but I bring one just in case I get hungry. I pack high protein snacks. I also bring a large bottle of water. I don't drink caffeine when I am about 3 hours from getting off.

When I get home, I watch netflix and eat something light like cold cereal with soy milk or about half a regular meal of leftovers. Then I sleep. It's hard for me to sleep during the day but I take some Benadryl and try to sleep 5-8 hours.

I turn off my phone so no one can disturb me.

I try not to do anything in between noc shifts during the day before I go back to work except eat, sleep and prepare food for my next shift.

I can sometimes stay up after I get off. I think it's better to sleep right before going to work. But I set up my schedule so I can sleep when I get off on most days.

Hope this makes sense!

Nola009 · May 14, 2014

Thanks, sounds like good advice! Were you able to sleep at night &/or enjoy your days off? Another thing I would be worried about is getting my dog to tolerate my day time sleeping schedule. Even when I work 2nds and part of third, he likes to go outside early in the morning --- he will watch me and bark till I get up!

Delicate Flower · May 14, 2014

My dogs will sleep all night in bed with my husband, and then sleep all day in bed with me. No problem. If there is a human sleeping in bed, they are down for a nap!

Mr. Murse · May 14, 2014

Many people that function well and enjoy night shift are "night people" anyway. Like myself, even when I haven't been on nights I always find myself staying up late because I enjoy being awake at night. Most people after a couple of weeks or so can adjust pretty well. If you only have a dog and no kids or spouse to have to schedule around then you'll be fine.

Hardest part is when you have a few days off and want to be up in the day time so you have to flip your sleeping schedule. I usually do this by just sleeping 3 or 4 hours my first day off then going to bed earlier that night.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 14, 2014

Thanks, sounds like good advice! Were you able to sleep at night &/or enjoy your days off? Another thing I would be worried about is getting my dog to tolerate my day time sleeping schedule. Even when I work 2nds and part of third, he likes to go outside early in the morning --- he will watch me and bark till I get up!

Your dog wants to be with YOU! He will adapt for you. When my beautiful weimaraner was a puppy and full of vinegar I would take the extra time in the morning to run her hard. A tired weimy is a happy weimy...and she would settle to cuddle just with me and no one else around.

I don't know if ANYONE is cut out for nights. You get used to them. I was an evening person when I was single...I LOVED 3-11. I could do errands during the days and yard work at my house and was able to go out after work and have fun...Chicago really never sleeps....LOL As a married Mom nights suited my family and my children. I was available for them...I was a happy room Mom who NEVER missed a party. When they got older I still worked nights so I didn't have to have child care to watch them, as teens I still worked nights so they didn't swan dive off the roof with their friends into the pool.

All under the watchful eye of the dog.

MY sleep schedule changed according to the season and school. I had rules. DO NOT disturb unless life and limb. My room was dark as night. I made special shades I would put up with velcro. WHITE NOISE is a must. Keep the room cool. I shut off my phone except for one. I had a special 911 cell for the school and family from K-mart. My work phone stayed in the car. PERIOD.

I had a note on my door in LARGE PRINT!!!

Owner works nights, owns a LARGE dog. Owner and dog are very unpleasant when awakened. Ring bell AT YOUR OWN RISK ONLY if you see smoke emitting from the house or we are being invaded by aliens.

Signed THE DOG

Nola009 · May 14, 2014

Hi Mr. Murse, :nurse: No kids, just a husband and a (spoiled) dog that won't let anybody besides me take him outside or on a walk if I am around (sleeping or not). I worry more about getting my beloved dog to deal with a serious change in schedule since we don't speak the same language. :sleep: I can easily explain the situation to my husband, but not my dog...

Nola009 · May 14, 2014

Esme, Ha! The sign thing is a really good one. I want to borrow that !!! :) I have a territorial pom, so mine might have to say something about ferocious ankle biting instead of "large dog" though.

Biffbradford · May 14, 2014

I worked 8 hour night shifts with a 10 minute commute for 12 years. It wasn't easy, but it was 'doable'. Then I did 12 hours shifts with an hour commute and I made 12 months. It just about killed me. No matter what anyone says, night shifts take a hard toll on your health in the long run. Good luck! :wacky: :)

MBrickle · May 14, 2014

My dogs will sleep all night in bed with my husband, and then sleep all day in bed with me. No problem. If there is a human sleeping in bed, they are down for a nap!

This exactly!!! I think my dog is just happy someone is home!

Do you drink coffee? I drink a TON. I work a double on Mondays (7-3 then an 11-7) then I work Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Then I work Friday day.

I have been doing nights for two years and it's really taking its toll. I don't think the same, can't remember as much, etc. I come home and immediately sleep 8-9 hours, wake up and go to work. The worst is that I sleep until noon on the weekends so it kills them and I never really feel like I have a break. It's doable though!

MBrickle · May 14, 2014

Many people that function well and enjoy night shift are "night people" anyway. Like myself, even when I haven't been on nights I always find myself staying up late because I enjoy being awake at night. Most people after a couple of weeks or so can adjust pretty well. If you only have a dog and no kids or spouse to have to schedule around then you'll be fine.
Hardest part is when you have a few days off and want to be up in the day time so you have to flip your sleeping schedule. I usually do this by just sleeping 3 or 4 hours my first day off then going to bed earlier that night.

Good point! On my days off, I do the same. Sleep for 3 hours or so and then wake up!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 14, 2014

I was close to 50 when I started working nights.You have to train people not to call you during the day and maybe stay up really late on the days you are off. It can be done but it is hard.