I currently work days (7A-7P) and I will be moving to nights, and on a different unit, in a couple of weeks. I have always wanted to try working nights since I have always been a night owl, but I am getting more nervous about this new committment with each passing day! While it is true that getting to work at 7A is a terrible thing, the thought of getting home around 8:00-8:30A is kinda tripping me out.
Here's my biggest problem, kinda embarrassing, but here goes: I have been a sleepy person for seriously like the last 25 years. I have often wondered if I have CFS. And no, it's not just laziness. I remember this problem most poignantly when I was in the 7th grade. Looking back, I know I was quite depressed too, but I honestly never have seemed to recover. I fell asleep in just about all of my classes, despite constantly rocking my legs, deep breathing, etc., really making a concerted effort to stay awake. This went on all through college. Anytime I have come back home from anywhere (high school, college, or even later from work), I would immediately have to lay down and nap. Often times for hours. Back to the 7th grade issue...I remember very clearly being barely able to lift one foot in front of the other to walk from the school bus to my home. It felt as if my body weighed 500+ lbs (but I weighed about 100). It was hard to breathe even sometimes - took too much effort. Fast forward to my first degree, age 20 or so, living on a lively college campus...."NurseCherlove, there's a great party tonight. You're gonna come tonight, right?". "Yeah, but I'll probably be late. (I had to have a lengthy nap). This has been a humiliating disability for most of my life!!!!! I have no other health problems! I am of average weight. My depression is medicated/managed well.
Fast forward to now....I have been taking Provigil for the last few months to help me basically be able to make it through my work days. However, it really does not help that much. Adderall worked much better and offered me the best quality of life thus far. However, I have even managed to take an Adderall while laying down for a nap in the hopes that I would wake up shortly, bursting with energy, and still managed to sleep for a few hours!
So all of the above verbosity was simply to demonstrate that I do indeed have a problem being some kind of hypersomniac. My life mostly centers around work and sleep. And I work dayshift!!! So have I made a huge mistake by accepting a nightshift position??? I'm afraid that I will now have to sleep even more, and will then have even less time for doing other things, like, oh, having a life!!
Last thing, and I'll shut up...Ironically, I have started waking up a little earlier on my days off now (recent change in med regime) and not sleeping 20+ hours at a time. And now I'll be moving to nights.
If you have read all of this, God bless you. Sorry for the long post. I just want to have more of a life and this has been a disabling factor for most of my life (I'm 35). Any advice on the best way to have at least a pseudo-normal life (not that I really have that now) while working FT nights would be much appreciated!!
like emmanuel, i've always been a noc owl, going to bed at 1-3am, then getting up at 5:30 to go to work.
working nocs, i feel like my world has been turned upside down.
so far, it's been averaging 2 days w/o sleep and sleep on the 3rd day.
i'm in a fog and am not half as productive as i used to be.
i personally would not recommend it.
best of everything.
leslie
That's exactly what it is... a 'fog'. Weird thing is, I didn't even realize how bad it was 'til I switched over to days. Even with as little sleep as I was getting, the fog wasn't there anymore.
I too average losing at least 2 nights of sleep a week. Going on and coming off my nights. I won't even talk about the evil scheduler who put me one on one off, two on, one off, etc., with no more than one day off at any point throughout the month... her response was that on days, they LIKE to have a day off here and there. It doesn't work that way when you are on nights. That is NOT a good thing.
Ok, you're scaring me a little. I just keep telling myself, "It's only for 6 months or so. You can handle anything for 6 months."
What I'm hoping for is for a position on this new unit to open up for something like weekend option dayshift. I figure w/ 6 months of experience in this new area, they should let me go to weekend option.
If you are determined to do this, make sure you get all your ducks in a row. Purchase a white noise machine of some sort. A box fan works great. Make sure your room temp is comfortable --- not too hot. Black out the windows. Tape foil on them, anything to keep the light out. Wear sunglasses if it's bright out when you leave in the morning. Don't drink caffeine or eat anything heavy, at least in the latter half of your shift; try sleepytime tea, that is soothing. Go straight home, sit down and decompress and relax, then go to bed. Try to go to bed (and awaken) at the same time every day. And take your phone off the hook, or get 'do not disturb' put on your phone service.
Somewhere (I wish I could remember what magazine I saw this) I read that one way to better adjust to shift work is to have a 4 hour window that you are sleeping EVERY day, whether you're working or off. For example, if you're working and sleep from 8am to 4pm, then on your days off, make sure you are sleeping from 8 am to noon. But not any later than that on days off. I'm not describing it as well as they did, sorry. But it made sense, and it does seem to help.
One last thing... make certain that your friends and family know that your sleep time during the day is of utmost importance and never to attempt to awaken you unless it is a true emergency. If it's something that would anger them to be awakened for in the middle of their night before work, then they best not awaken you for it either.
If you are determined to do this, make sure you get all your ducks in a row. Purchase a white noise machine of some sort. A box fan works great. Make sure your room temp is comfortable --- not too hot. Black out the windows. Tape foil on them, anything to keep the light out. Wear sunglasses if it's bright out when you leave in the morning. Don't drink caffeine or eat anything heavy, at least in the latter half of your shift; try sleepytime tea, that is soothing. Go straight home, sit down and decompress and relax, then go to bed. Try to go to bed (and awaken) at the same time every day. And take your phone off the hook, or get 'do not disturb' put on your phone service.
Somewhere (I wish I could remember what magazine I saw this) I read that one way to better adjust to shift work is to have a 4 hour window that you are sleeping EVERY day, whether you're working or off. For example, if you're working and sleep from 8am to 4pm, then on your days off, make sure you are sleeping from 8 am to noon. But not any later than that on days off. I'm not describing it as well as they did, sorry. But it made sense, and it does seem to help.
One last thing... make certain that your friends and family know that your sleep time during the day is of utmost importance and never to attempt to awaken you unless it is a true emergency. If it's something that would anger them to be awakened for in the middle of their night before work, then they best not awaken you for it either.
Cool, thanks! That 4 hour window thing does make sense. In fact, with that in mind, this night shift thing may actually be better for me since the earliest I would ever just wake up on my own would be around 1130A.
The funny thing is, all of the other sleep enhancement techniques you described above, I already do. For example, I turn the ringer on my phone off when I go to sleep and back on when I get up - whatever time that may be. I refuse to be disturbed! I live alone, so don't have too many other problems w/ sleep. And my fiancee always knows my schedule, so he knows if I don't answer my phone, Ima sleepin'.
As far as light being an issue, well, I could probably sleep several hours just fine outside at some location on the equator!
Rotating shifts should be outlawed, IMO. As hard as nights might be, rotating will make you sick.
I chose straight nights for just that reason. I wanted nothing to do with 2-10 then 6-2 the next day. Most days I am up by 2 so I really haven't lost that much time for the day.
I agree rotating shifts are a really bad idea from a physiological standpoint.
The other idea is to always take a planned rest/quiet time for an hour or 2 before work. I do this becuase it really helps with staying awake during the 8 hours between 4 to 5 am.:rotfl::roll
The other idea is to make sure that everyone knows that your sleep time is sacred! wifeypoo is getting better with this but I still occasionally have to threaten to throw the vacuum cleaner in a snowbank.
I've been working nights since I began nursing. I love as other's have stated the team work, because when you're in the fog it is handy to have someone close by who may have rolled down their driver side window to follow the white line. LOL ;0)
I live on coffee the whole night. I find if I do not I suffer. So I'm the one who makes the coffee and could probably work the coffee maker in my sleep, perhaps at times I am borderline comatose, ;0(
What I do when it is my day off is to firstly walk home, since I live close to work, thank God! And then if it is my first day off I'll push myself to enjoy it at least to 12 and sometimes beyond to 4 in the afternoon. There is nothing worse than having spent your first day off sleeping to wake up in the dark and realize your day off has been usurped by sleep.
I also believe in exercise. I run only for 30 minutes a few times a week. This helps with my mood and circulation...Patients love my warm hands when I do their assessments!
Anyway, I wish you the best with the night shift challenge.
Well. Guess what? I'm just like you. Look at my user name. (haha its not just for my anesthesia passion!) Ok you win with the 20 hours of sleep thing, but I'm a close runner-up if given the opportunity. Before I found my current regime, I would look at the grocery store floor as I was shopping and think, "no one will really mind if I lay down right here and sleep a little, will they?" And, I would seriously want to. And, to subdue the cpap question, I passed my sleep study w/flying colors and long term Noc O2s were beautiful.
Now, here's my point. While everyone here is looking out for your best interest, only you know how your body is tolerating your schedule. And...really...I do have a point... The best I have ever felt in my life is when I worked nights. I was happy, I lost (seriously) 40 pounds and felt *gasp* well-rested!
For years I felt like a freak bc I was so dang tired...I swear it was worse the second I entered sunlight (insert vampire jokes here). Sunlight actually felt like weight on me. Now I know exactly how to manage it and am just fine during the day unless I over extend myself. I am a raging over-achiever and setting and adhering to limits darn-near killed me. But, I have adjusted. I know what you mean about provigil, it only worked for me when used on more of a PRN basis. I guess I tolerated it very quickly. A rhuematologist put me on 150-200mg Wellbutrin bid for a while. That was a god-send. It's a huge freakin' dose, but it worked and got my body all lined up and now I'm not on anything at all.
Ok. Now I've been all wordy. I just wanted you to know you are not alone and it can be done. Schedule, schedule, schedule...stick to it. That's the key.
Have you had hypothyroidism ruled out? My sister who's a nurse was diagnosed and placed on synthroid, and within a few weeks was feeling much more energy, lost weight, and actually grew an inch!!
I worked nights until taking a new job this past July. I just recently switched to nights again, and while it's taking a while to readjust, I already feel more rested. Then again, I can sleep through a tornado.
This might not be such a good move for you, at least until you can get a handle on this problem. Nights are wicked. I've always worked nights, and it has really messed me up. I tried days, and felt better but after so many years of nights I was unable to go to sleep at a decent hour, instead staying awake until 1 or 2 or even 3 am, only to have to get up at 5 to get ready for work. Although I wasn't getting 'good' sleep while working nights, I was getting NO sleep working days. I was told to tough it out and it would improve, but after about 6 months or so, I had to return to nights.
I like the atmosphere and teamwork at nights that you don't necessarily see as much on days. I also like that the 'suits' are not around to bug the crap outta me. But please know, it has taken its toll physically. The body just wasn't meant for this; it is unnatural, no matter how much of a night owl you may be.
Wow, that is soooo me. I just haven't gone back to nights....yet!
To the OP, I'll chime in on recommending you get checked out for sleep apnea. I'm also a big sleeper. But looking on the hopeful side, maybe your body clock is set for you to work nights instead of days and you'll do better? Just be sure to try and do everything "right." Don't switch your schedule on days off, make sure you get uninterrupted sleep, avoid caffeine within x hours of sleep, all that good stuff.
And maybe try changing when you take your depression meds? I'm much better at remembering to take meds before bed than in the morning, but I've noticed with some of the antidepressants I've been on, if I take them at night it can help or hinder my sleep, depending on the med.
Good luck, and be sure to discuss this with your PCP!
Well. Guess what? I'm just like you. Look at my user name. (haha its not just for my anesthesia passion!) Ok you win with the 20 hours of sleep thing, but I'm a close runner-up if given the opportunity. Before I found my current regime, I would look at the grocery store floor as I was shopping and think, "no one will really mind if I lay down right here and sleep a little, will they?" And, I would seriously want to. And, to subdue the cpap question, I passed my sleep study w/flying colors and long term Noc O2s were beautiful.
Now, here's my point. While everyone here is looking out for your best interest, only you know how your body is tolerating your schedule. And...really...I do have a point... The best I have ever felt in my life is when I worked nights. I was happy, I lost (seriously) 40 pounds and felt *gasp* well-rested!
For years I felt like a freak bc I was so dang tired...I swear it was worse the second I entered sunlight (insert vampire jokes here). Sunlight actually felt like weight on me. Now I know exactly how to manage it and am just fine during the day unless I over extend myself. I am a raging over-achiever and setting and adhering to limits darn-near killed me. But, I have adjusted. I know what you mean about provigil, it only worked for me when used on more of a PRN basis. I guess I tolerated it very quickly. A rhuematologist put me on 150-200mg Wellbutrin bid for a while. That was a god-send. It's a huge freakin' dose, but it worked and got my body all lined up and now I'm not on anything at all.
Ok. Now I've been all wordy. I just wanted you to know you are not alone and it can be done. Schedule, schedule, schedule...stick to it. That's the key.
ss
WoW! I'm sooo glad to know that someone can relate! You said it perfectly about feeling like a freak. I too am somehow just always so tired during daytime hours - which I hate because I really do love sunshine, fresh air, etc. I just can't take it for too long. Like now...here it is about 10:30 PM and I'm starting to feel quite energetic. It's also funny what you said about the grocery store....b/c I seem to have a thing for stores...something about shopping is just exhausting to me. I know it sounds crazy, but I will start yawning incessantly within 3-5 minutes of walking into a mall - every time! I figure that somehow this is my equivalent to the narcoleptic person who falls asleep while sitting at a red light. Oh, and I think my sleep record is 28 hours (and no I was not sick). I have actually several times worried about getting kidney problems or clots.
You are right about Wellbutrin. Since I have added it to my effexor, I am feeling much better - like I said in another post, just in time to get all messed up again by starting on nights! Actually, you have given me hope now - thanks!
Now that was my next question....I have heard that this works for some people. But it does seem like it would be hard on your body doing that. How can you get anything done if you don't somewhat switch over on days off? Of course, with my sleepin' self, I don't get a lot done anyway.
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EmmaG, RN
2,999 Posts
I too average losing at least 2 nights of sleep a week. Going on and coming off my nights. I won't even talk about the evil scheduler who put me one on one off, two on, one off, etc., with no more than one day off at any point throughout the month... her response was that on days, they LIKE to have a day off here and there. It doesn't work that way when you are on nights. That is NOT a good thing.