I have been on night shift for 30 years and...

[tavalon1]

Now, I need to go to day shift. It is clear that I am one of those rare humans with an inverted circadian clock. So, I am expecting this to be like when a new nurse starts on night shift with all the physical struggles.

Just as I did for night shift, I will not change my schedule on my off days. I've had 3 days now of misery and am asking for tricks of the trade for being on a schedule that is bad for your circadian rhythm.

What I don't need is affirmations that I will feel so much better! Maybe I will and maybe I won't. Helping me would be giving me tips and tricks for the first three months. If it isn't better by then, I woll go to another hospital and find a safe night shift to work. But I want this to succeed.

My fellow nurses?

Terri

[bitter_betsy, BSN]

I am not a nurse... yet - but I am a 46 year old nursing student that has always been a "night owl" and me and these 4:30am days to make it to clinical on time just really suck. Its been 6 months and I can't really say that I am any better than I was. My commute is about 1.5 hours which probably doesn't help. I often don't sleep enough because I just can't fall asleep when I should be sleeping in order to make it to "daytime" things on time.

How I cope:

I have learned to take quick naps. I arrive for school/clinical early on purpose. I set my alarm and take a quick 15-20 minute nap which actually helps me feel much more refreshed than if I sleep in for those extra 15-20 minutes (but I also have that 1.5 hour commute to contend with). I also only drink caffeine upon waking during my drive in the morning. Then its water the rest of the day. Probably the most important thing though is I have a very small window at night when I "should be" going to sleep that I actually feel sleepy - if I don't go to sleep then, who knows when I will fall asleep. It is typically 6-8 hours later that I get sleepy and by then I usually only have 2-3 hours to sleep if I'm lucky. If you can identify this feeling, do your best to pay attention to it.

Keep a journal of when you sleep and how you feel. It might help you identify that sweet spot when your body is trying to tell you to sleep - if it does tell you that. Also - eat food on a regular schedule. I know - nurses don't eat normal - but meal prep foods you can eat on the run at the same time each day. Many of my meals are finger foods that I can eat in pieces on the run.

It will take time so be patient with yourself. Most importantly - stay safe. Don't hesitate to call someone to pick you up if you are feeling sleepy after work. If possible I would work every other day so that you can sleep a little more in between shifts, at least until you get a little more settled.

Best of luck to you... and thank you for spending a good bit of your life taking care of us humans ?