I can't sleep!!!

Nurses Stress 101

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Specializes in Peds PDN, Med-surg.

So I worked my first night shift last night, 7pm to 7 am. It all was well while I was working (thanks to the coffee and red bull :alien:) but as soon as I got home I just wasn't tired anymore!! So I had a quick bite and just laid in bed until I finally fell asleep around 930 but then I woke up at 2 pm and could not fall back asleep :madface: I have black out curtains but is there anything else I can do to help me sleep? What do you guys do? I work again tonight and I'm scared of becoming a zombie :no:. Please and thanks!

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Not so much coffee and Red Bull will help. Seriously.

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If you must drink the "juice" then make sure you drink plenty of water as well.

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Specializes in Peds PDN, Med-surg.

Okayyy :sorry:

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Seriously? You drank Red Bull and coffee and you want to know why you can't sleep?

I just drink water.

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I'm sure your body will adjust to the time change. Try not to rely on too many stimulants. Personally I sip on 5 hour energy but drink lots of water too. Caffeine bonds to water (hence the whole caffeine makes you pee a lot thing) and you'll get rid of it more quickly.

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Specializes in community small-town med/icu unit.

When I work nights, I'll have a coffee or 2 at the BEGINNING of my shift, but nothing more than water or regular juice after the 1/2 way point.

If you have a medscape account (free!) check out this CME/CE on Night Shift Syndrome. I found it eye opening (and well, helped my shut-eye too) after I read it. I saw what I was doing wrong in terms of my sleep hygeine.

http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/769403

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I keep a bottle of ZzZquil next to my bed for "those" kind of nights. I swear they made that stuff just for me lol. I swing back and forth between 2nds and 3rds constantly so my body never knows when to sleep =/

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Stop drinking red bull. That stuff is awful. Drink more water. Lay off any caffinated beverages after 0200.

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Specializes in Peds PDN, Med-surg.

Thank you!

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Specializes in ICU.

+1 to all the above. Interestingly, I will drink a small Mountain Dew to ensure I stay awake on my 45 min drive home, yet as soon as my head hits that pillow ..... :dead: 12 hour nights. Ugh.

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Specializes in Peds PDN, Med-surg.

Lol yea I don't think I could stay awake with just water....

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