Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I love nights! I cannot believe they pay me so much more for what is actually an easier job than the day shifters have. As far as not sleeping -- I can't sleep no matter what shift I'm on. I take Ambien.
I am a 2nd shift worker but I have been working a lot of doubles. Night shift is pretty awesome -- lot's team work and I have learned a lot from the nurses. I think every shift has it's ups and downs, but night shift is great for the introverted.
I love working the night shift! Staff is awesome and teamwork is great, perfect for an introverted person like myself. Once day shift arrives you can feel the tress level rising and I can't wait to get out of there!
Left night shift for days not that long ago, and now want my old night shift back, but someone else took it already I have to wait till another one opens and hope my manager lets me go back. I made a big mistake.
Left night shift for days not that long ago, and now want my old night shift back, but someone else took it already I have to wait till another one opens and hope my manager lets me go back. I made a big mistake.
Aww that stinks! I left not too long ago but am happy in my new dept. Plus I still get to work prn as much as I want back on the floor to get my fix of my night crew!
Left night shift for days not that long ago, and now want my old night shift back, but someone else took it already I have to wait till another one opens and hope my manager lets me go back. I made a big mistake.
I made that mistake about 8 years ago. I had just gotten married & decided it would be good if we both worked the same shift so I switched to days. In less than a month, I was begging to go back on nights. Fortunately, I work private duty home care where it's hard to staff night shift so I had no problem going back to nights. I could not handle getting up in the morning & after working nights for so many years (I started nights in 1975), I was unable to sleep at night so I was always tired. That is one mistake I will never make again!
-Declining fitness/health. No matter how hard I try I can't push myself as much at the gym and I have a constant tiredness/fog around me when I am on my days off. It's just a constant feeling of being "off".
I wish I could have gotten my sleep scheduled sorted out - it KILLED me. I mean, I could not sleep more than an hour or two during the day time and that going on for weeks drove me to the brink. But everything else you mentioned made it pretty great.
Hello night owls.. as I mentioned in a previous post, I may be starting a night shift as a new grad. I have 3 children in elementary school and planning to stick to a sleep schedule as best I could.
Some of you mentioned feeling "off" on your days off. Is it because you are trying to sleep extra hours or simply the fact that you can't sleep because your body is used to being awake. What about during the day on your days off, are you sleeping during the same time you would if you were working that same night?
I have to wait till another one opens and hope my manager lets me go back. I made a big mistake.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
I love nights! I cannot believe they pay me so much more for what is actually an easier job than the day shifters have. As far as not sleeping -- I can't sleep no matter what shift I'm on. I take Ambien.