I hate night shift

Morainey, BSN, RN · May 21, 2012

I feel your pain, Carrie. I feel like I can't shake the "fuzzy brain feeling" at work that I get at about 3am.

DeLana_RN, BSN, RN · May 21, 2012

I've only worked nights for 2 months now, but this last stretch - 3 on/2 off/3 on/2 off/3 on - just about did me in; on my days off, all I could do was sleep, although I hated it 'cause I had things I wanted to do. And the best part, like a fool I had requested this schedule (never again!!! 3 on/4 off from now on).

Still, because I have children in elementary school, I will probably have to change to days before too long (I think 6 months is a fair amount of time to work nights before approaching my manager re. switching to days). Fortunately, it appears there will be day shift opportunities at that time.

Nights isn't bad for a nurse who had not been working for while and needs to get back up to speed and refresh procedures. But there is a high price to pay for nights (when you have a family), and I don't even have the energy to exercise anymore... not a good thing.

I guess there's a good reason for the differential

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 21, 2012

at the beginning of my nursing career i worked the night shift and like yourself i didn't care for it much i wouldn't say i hate it, however, my body couldn't adjust to having meals at 3:am plus my alertness was lacking most of the time which made me apprehensive. furthermore, not to mentioned my immediate family wasn't to keen on the idea of me not being present during the day. therefore, for this reason alone as soon as i could i place my interest in any other areas that were looking for an rn. having said that, i was fortunate that the facility were i worked at the time, one could change dept. after 6mo. which i did. although, for this same reason my hat goes off to all of those colleagues around the world that are able to work the night shift and make a career out of it :bowingpur

Jackfackmasta, ASN, RN · May 21, 2012

I Love Night Shift

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 21, 2012

Benadryl. Atarax. Ambien. Melatonin, room-darkening shades; white noise; babysitter for the kids during your regular sleep hours; no exercise before bedtime; ETOH; relaxation techniques; Stay on same schedule on your nights off. Good Luck

CarryThatWeight, BSN · May 21, 2012

I have worked nights a few times and am about to start them again. There is some really great advice on here already. The one thing I would add is to talk to your doctor if you just can't sleep despite all the sleep hygiene recommended here. I will go into my new position armed with a prescription for Trazodone, and if that doesn't work, Ambien. I'm really not one to take drugs, but my doctor told me that if you don't sleep for an extended amount of time, you put way too much stress on your body and that's when you can get ill. When that happens, you need to break the cycle. I would try to cope and get your name on that list. Also talk to your manager, as someone else suggested. It can't hurt to let him/her know of your struggles and you never know, something may open up sooner than you think.

Mommy&RN, BSN, RN · May 21, 2012

I work three twelve hour shifts, strictly on the weekends. When I get off Monday mornings I sleep until around 11a then make myself get up and stay up. It's a struggle and I'm usually groggy for a couple hours but then I'm good for the rest of the week.
Some people just can't hack night shift. I'm sorry you're going through this. As much as you love your job, you still may have to go hunting for a day shift position. Good luck!

This is pretty much my schedule also, except I work every other Friday. So 5 shifts every 2 weeks. On my floor they are hiring new grads on days, because our night nurses don't want days.

I am not a fan of crowds and noise. So weekend night shift works well since there are less ancillary departments there, less people in general.

allnurses Guide · May 21, 2012

I am on nights and love so many things about it. My team is awesome. Plenty of time to do real patient care. But my body is just not adjusting. As we speak I should be deep asleep after coming off a 12 and going in tonight for another....and only managed 2.5 hours of sleep today. I am ready to cry. This happens often enough that I honestly feel like I am killing myself. Praying I get a day shift soon.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · May 21, 2012

Good advice...I worked nights for a lot of years out of necessity.

1. Keep hydrated...but no caffeine after 3am!

2. Try melatonin...take it right before you leave work. You can add a benadryl to it too if you need.

3. Dark, cool room. Get black out shades and dark drapes. Turn on the ceiling fan and if you want music on low. No light. If your bathroom is connected to your bedroom, but a low voltage night light in there in case you have to pee...don't turn on the light!

4. When you get home, try to avoid electronics...they keep the brain awake. Dim your clock too.

5. Turn off the phone...we still have a landline and the only people who have my number for daytime use is the school. My family knows better than to call me before 4pm unless it is an emergency.

6. I would drink a carnation instant breakfast before I went to bed...then I didn't get up because I was starving.

Good luck...try to hang on until you get a day spot....

KelRN215, BSN, RN · May 21, 2012

I have been working night shift for about 9 months now. I thought it would get easier, but it just gets harder. I feel so bad all the time. My days off are spent sleeping. And if I do have to get up early for something, I feel just horrible. I don't get to spend any time with my family. The only reason I stay at my job is because I really like it. But I am willing to do just about anything else as long as it is day shift. I don't know how people work nights for years and years. I thought I would like not having to get up early, but I would do just about anything to get off nights. Unfortunately it's not easy to go to days at my current job. There is a waiting list, and it's very long. It would be 2-3 years before I even got a chance to go to days. Just wondering how everyone deals with this awful shift for long?

There are some working environments where nights is the preferred shift. When I worked in the hospital, I dreaded each and every day shift (I was a rotator). All the most senior nurses on my floor were permanent night nurses. There was a waiting list to go to nights. Needless to say, places like this tend to recycle their staff every few years.

Phillip1988 · May 21, 2012

I know that when I finish school that I'll have to work nights. I'm not too excited about it but I know if I work in a hospital I'll have to do it. If you have a bsn or msn you can try getting a management job which is normally day shifts but those jobs come with a lot of stress.

ToughingItOut · May 21, 2012

I feel your pain carrie_c! I've worked nights for the past three years, but I am DONE feeling like crap, missing out on the sunshine, social events, and neglecting my family. I'm always amazed at how much better, healthier, and younger night nurses look after only a few weeks on days. I don't know if this helps, but my manager does consider doctor notes, etc. requesting that you switch to days due to pressing health issues. We have a list to switch to days too, but some ppl have been moved to the top due to medical and social issues. Good luck!!