Is adequate rest the most important factor in enjoying night shift?

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I'm wondering if people who dislike night shift bc they feel that it wreaks havoc on their bodies feel that way because they are unable to get adequate rest for whatever reason? Anyone out there have a hard time physically with night shift despite being able to get adequate rest?

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I've worked nights for 12 years with many different people and I believe there are just some people that can't do nights. There are people like me who can switch back and forth between days and nights relatively easy. Then there are other people that struggle on nights no matter how much rest they get. Some people never adjust.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I agree with the PP. I'm a night person through and through. I don't usually feel physically ill or overly tired unless I have a very busy day after working a night. I can switch to a day schedule for my days off pretty easy (while still sleeping in a bit because I just don't adult well until after at least 8am lol). I sleep all day like a champ. And I don't feel any more tired at 4:30am then I would had I worked a long day shift.

I really think I comes down to the person because I have night shift friends (we're all new grads with 6-10 mos experience each) and some just can't do it. They can't sleep during the day. And even if they do, they still feel super tired after like 1-2am. Some people just aren't really meant for nights. Which works for me because that saves the positions with night differential and the night time shenanigans for me.

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Specializes in ICU.
I agree with the PP. I'm a night person through and through. I don't usually feel physically ill or overly tired unless I have a very busy day after working a night. I can switch to a day schedule for my days off pretty easy (while still sleeping in a bit because I just don't adult well until after at least 8am lol). I sleep all day like a champ. And I don't feel any more tired at 4:30am then I would had I worked a long day shift.

I really think I comes down to the person because I have night shift friends (we're all new grads with 6-10 mos experience each) and some just can't do it. They can't sleep during the day. And even if they do, they still feel super tired after like 1-2am. Some people just aren't really meant for nights. Which works for me because that saves the positions with night differential and the night time shenanigans for me.

It's just different on night shift, isn't it? I'm not a morning person at all. I get physically ill when I have to get up super early. At get nauseous and feel like throwing up. Even if I get a full 8 hours. I don't get that at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Personally, my body has my days and nights mixed up and it's always been that way. I've tried to get back on track with sleeping meds and I will flip back temporarily but I always go back to being up all night. I've been up since 3am for the past two nights. I'm not trying to stop the flip this time as I am going to nights soon.

Nights are good for me and my body.

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So would you say there's anyway to predict whether you'll be successful on night shift without actually doing it?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I enjoyed night shift and worked them for many years, yet I never attained adequate sleep (7 to 8 hours) during this time period.

I liked nights due to my personality. Since I am introverted and somewhat reserved, the lack of visitors and managerial figureheads was refreshing. I also enjoyed the close-knit camaraderie on nights that existed between coworkers.

So, nights were worth it to me, even in spite of the lack of quality sleep time. Other peoples' mileage may vary.

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When I worked full-time as either the acute care nurse, the ER nurse, or L&D we did 12 hour shifts - 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. (day shift) and 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. (night shift). It was done this way so each shift had to share "nights" and was instigated by the nursing staff, not admin.

Getting adequate sleep is important. I'm grateful I don't work that shift anymore.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

My MSN and DNP research is about this very topic. (I've long lobbied for a separate discussion board about night shift issues- but alas...)

Anyway, there is a genetic difference in strongly morning types (larks) and strongly evening types (owls). This difference appears on the CLOCK gene. There is actually a screening tool to measure morningness and eveningness. I almost think that this tool would be useful before extending job offers.

That said, sometimes the lack of adjustment to night is because the person is trying to keep up a daytime existence and not allowing enough time for sleep. For example, mothers of young children who will not place their children in the care of others and instead try to maintain wakefulness for 36 hours to avoid this and still work their shifts. SOMEthing has to give.

If anyone's attending Nursing Management Congress in Vegas this November, I'll be presenting on the topic of nurse fatigue. Fun fact: the presenter right before me (who I am now referring to as my 'opening act') is none other that ZDoggMD!

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I've always felt like a night owl. And nights would be great for me logistically. My children will all be in school when I graduate, so I'd come home to an empty house (daddy can get them on the bus before he leaves for work), and sleep until I have to get the kids off the bus 6-7 hours later. Of course I could also send them to the after school program to make that 7-8 hours.

Then I'd have a few hours with my kids, rather than just being home to tuck them into bed on work days (like if I worked day shift).

My family is very supportive, and my husband would never interrupt my daytime sleep unless it was a true emergency (like a "one of our children is in the hospital" emergency). Our house is nice and quiet during the day, too, especially during the school year. And I know from the baby days that I'm a great daytime sleeper.

But I'd be nervous to take a nights position and then discover that it's just not right for my body like over heard some people say.

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Is adequate rest the most important factor in enjoying night shift?

I would have to say yes. I agree with PPs that there are day and night types, but only to a point. I also think there are plenty of people that can be successful on either shift. I've worked both shifts throughout my career and done well. Sleep has to be a priority. I'm on nights now and do little but sleep and eat when I am between shifts, same as on days.

The people I've seen have the worst time on nights are the ones who try to fit in normal daily activities between shifts or right before/after a shift. Would you take your kids to the park at 2am between day shifts? You'd be a mess at work, right? Think of it that way.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
I would have to say yes. I agree with PPs that there are day and night types, but only to a point. I also think there are plenty of people that can be successful on either shift. I've worked both shifts throughout my career and done well. Sleep has to be a priority. I'm on nights now and do little but sleep and eat when I am between shifts, same as on days.

The people I've seen have the worst time on nights are the ones who try to fit in normal daily activities between shifts or right before/after a shift. Would you take your kids to the park at 2am between day shifts? You'd be a mess at work, right? Think of it that way.

THIS! Great analogy!!!

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Specializes in ICU.
My MSN and DNP research is about this very topic. (I've long lobbied for a separate discussion board about night shift issues- but alas...)

Anyway, there is a genetic difference in strongly morning types (larks) and strongly evening types (owls). This difference appears on the CLOCK gene. There is actually a screening tool to measure morningness and eveningness. I almost think that this tool would be useful before extending job offers.

That said, sometimes the lack of adjustment to night is because the person is trying to keep up a daytime existence and not allowing enough time for sleep. For example, mothers of young children who will not place their children in the care of others and instead try to maintain wakefulness for 36 hours to avoid this and still work their shifts. SOMEthing has to give.

If anyone's attending Nursing Management Congress in Vegas this November, I'll be presenting on the topic of nurse fatigue. Fun fact: the presenter right before me (who I am now referring to as my 'opening act') is none other that ZDoggMD!

I want to see this. I may just come. What are the dates?

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