How do you stay awake during the night shift?

UnionRN2 · Sep 23, 2009

I make sleep a priority. Phones are turned off. TV is off. Fan on for white noise. Shades that block out light. Husband and children are instructed not to wake me up unless it involves blood or the house is on fire. My patients have a right to expect a rested nurse. Their lives may depend on me being rested.

Another tip: For family and friends that have a difficult time with "don't contact me" during the day. For those who thought they were special enough to wake me up, I called them back at 2 am when they had to work in the morning and said, "Okay, I'm awake now and its convenient to talk. What was it you wanted?" They never did it twice.

Another tip: Don't drink caffeine after 5 am. You won't be able to sleep when you go home.

Hope this helps!

Mandylou · Sep 23, 2009

The previous poster has excellent tips, try to follow them. The only thing I would add would be to try melatonin. I have not used it myself but have talked to many nurses who have. I know you said you didn't want drugs but this may not fall in that category depending on how you feel.

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 23, 2009

Another tip: Don't convert back to a "day" shift schedule on your days off. Maintain a schedule on your days off that approximate a night shift schedule. It's usually impossible to do that completely, but find a compromise that will work for you. You'll only reset your inner timeclock if you maintain some degree of cconsistency.

I don't work the night shift any more... but when I did, I kept the following schedule on my days off: Up around noon, back to be around 3 am. That was sufficient to keep my circadian rythms from reverting back to a day shift cycle when I was not working.

daisymae0 · Sep 23, 2009

I have to say the same thing. Make your sleep top priority. For me the first 2 weeks were very hard. I bought a black flat sheet to block the light. I drink coffee nearly every night especially after my lunch.

Everyone I know has lol.. a standing death threat if they call me while I'm sleeping during the day.

kcoa11 · Sep 23, 2009

It's hard to change your biological clock from what it is used to. You may just need to invest in some really dark curtains to keep the sun out in your bedroom and make yourself sleep at a certain time everyday. Eventually, you being tired from work at night is going to cause you to get some sleep during the day! Trust me!!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Sep 23, 2009

do not try to live two lives - a day one and a night one.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Sep 23, 2009

If I were you I wouldn't drink caffeine after around 0100. Your body may be different than mine, but if I put any caffeine on board after around then...I don't sleep well.

bill4745, RN · Sep 23, 2009

Do your paperwork, chart checks, etc. early in the shift while you are less tired. Save the physical-stocking rooms, baths,etc. -for when you 'hit the wall' at 0300. Periodically getting up annd walking used to help me stay awake.

WittleOnesRN · Sep 23, 2009

How would you guys handle your lunch? I am a bit nervous about my metabolism changing. I start on nights in a couple of weeks and I am not used to really eating in the middle of the night....LOL

mauxtav8r · Sep 24, 2009

Warm snack at 3-4 am helped me TONS. Decaf coffee helped keep me warm, since I read somewhere about the metabolism slowing down overnight, and the warmth helping keep you moving.

I am a morning person and never did adjust to nights, but it was a wonderful experience I would not trade. The independence and leadership opportunities on nights are very valuable.

tattooednursie, LVN · Sep 25, 2009

I actually have the opposite problem. I have difficulty sleeping before the sun comes up. Yet, I still must do days here and there. . . Which really screws me up. Put cardboard or black plastic over your window. It will block out a lot of light.