I sleep my life away

LeaRNed · Jul 9, 2011

I was on night shift and did some day work. It was definitely hard on my body. Like the other posters said it might help to eliminate the day of OT. I went to the dr. They did a check for vit. D levels, as those of us on night don't see much sun, therefore levels can be low. Surprisingly my level was fine. We also discussed a prescription medication that is commonly used for swing shift workers, which is pretty much what you are doing. Maybe you can inquire about that. Now I am "in between jobs" and still stay up til 3 or 4 in the morning. I have no problem sleeping til noon. My husband hates it though :). It's all in what you get used to I guess. Hope you feel better!!

diva rn, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2011

Just to throw this in...I worked 12h nights all of my clinical career and LOVED it...but I never varied it. Even when I wasn't working I was up all night and slept days. I am a night OWL, always was, always will be...now here is my problem..I do 5 days a week now from 9:30a-6:00p and I am miserable. :mad:

Everyone says..."oh aren't you so glad to get on a regular shift?"....regular for WHO??? not ME.... :mad:

I don't sleep at night...for more than 3 hours at a time... :yawn:

It's been 2 years now, and I keep trying, but some people are just night people and that's me....forever;)

By the way-(I have tried everything)

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Jul 9, 2011

Get a sleep study done. I had the same problem until I found out I had sleep apnea. I was sleeping a lot but not getting good quality sleep. Good luck!

yea this - had the same issue!

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Jul 10, 2011

Try Googling "Adrenal Fatigue". It may make your eye pop open!

Ruthfarmer · Jul 10, 2011

I worked night shift for over a year. I had to be vigilant about protecting my sleep, and I really required more sleep to work nights. I always found that I "lost" an extra day, and when the schedule called for nights that weren't consecutive, I lost two extra days. That shifting back and forth between working nights and then trying to live your time off with the normal daylight hours rest of the world is the pits. It's simply unnatural and unhealthy.

There would be no way in the world I could ever work rotating shifts. I simply couldn't do it.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

DivaRN, I'm a night owl like you. I'm 38....always was a night owl, always will be. At my job, one of the nurses said,"You'll get used to working days." Uh, no. I've had many day jobs, and I was never really fully awake until at least 3 hours into that shift. Felt like I was dragging my butt all day. Now, I work nights, and I sleep lousy when I try to sleep at night. Everyone is different.

OP...as others mentioned, you will feel worse if you pick up day OT and you work nights. If I pick up, it has to be a night or I won't bother. Don't kill yourself for any job.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2011

Just curious if this is "normal"... I have been working 7p-7a for about a year, for the last 6 months I have picked up an extra OT shift during the day. So I usually work 3 night shifts per week and one day shift per week. Over the last 4-6 weeks I have been sleeping way more than normal. I'm so tired I don't feel like working out or even getting up to eat. Usually in between shifts if I have days/nights off I will sleep for 17 hours!! I have a appointment with the doctor next week just to check but I was curious, anyone sympathize or have a similar situation?

Yes, I do days/nights soemtimes in the same week also. there isn't a choice where i work. and this job took long enough to find. I find myself sleeping alot more than usual or with insomina. it rotates.

swimincatz · Jul 12, 2011

I have been thinking about what you decided... my director did give me the option. And since you say you don't miss the differential I suppose I could learn to live without it by getting my life back. Thanks Joanna!

swimincatz · Jul 15, 2011

So I have hypothyroidism... I'll be starting on synthroid. It's so strange, I really thought it was just the opposite shifts... I think I'm still contemplating going to days I don't know now though. Thanks for all of your imput and support veryone!