Introduction

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2006

Welcome to Allnurses. I hope someone will come along and offer some strategies (I moved it to General Nursing for more views, and hopefully more input).

When I worked nights, I used a fan for the noise and invested in "black out blinds" which made it completely totally dark. I remember when I first started it took a month or two before I was in the routine of sleeping. Staying up only 3 nights when I swtiched to 12's and flip flopping all the time eventually took it's toll and after 13 years of nights I switched to day shift a couple of years ago and am doing better.

Good luck!

MMBWRKNG40 · Dec 23, 2006

I work night shift and do not flip back to day shift on my days off. I have worked nights for 10 years. You may have to bide your time until you can obtain a day shift position. Some people's circadian rhythm do not tolerate nights. So sorry. Wish you luck in dealing with a difficult time. It will get better (if not in time you can change shifts eventually).

Dabuggy · Dec 23, 2006

Back when I worked nights I slept/napped when I was tired. get off work and slept for 3 hrs, got up and did stuff that made me tired, then slept again. Maybe a walk after work can help. As mentioned above, I put dark sheets over the window shades to darken the room.

Dabuggy

Simplepleasures · Dec 23, 2006

I worked nights for over 20 years, NEED room darkening blinds AND curtains.Turn off your phone, use answering machine.Go to sleep at the SAME time every day, best to go to sleep within 1 hour of getting home. Eat a light breakfast.Take nice hot shower before going to bed. Also Tylenol PM is great helping you fall asleep. ROUTINE sleep patterns are really the most important.Dont flip flop your shifts, if doing overtime stick to the night shift.

TazziRN, RN · Dec 23, 2006

When I worked nights my husband put thick cardboard up over the bedroom windows, and I got a sleep mask and earplugs. The sound of my breathing with the earplugs in was like white noise.