Long term effects of working night shifts

calivianya, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2013

Working days messes with my body. When I work days I am tired all the time and I tend to gain weight.

When I work nights, I sleep better and eat better. I go to work more well-rested and get off work less stressed (mostly because there are less interfering family members). I find I have more time to get my charting done on nights and I get paid more. I have managed to successfully lose a few pounds since going back to nights, where I was having a real time losing weight at all on day shift. I am also happier in general.

The effect of working nights on my health: more positive in every single way. :yes:

Despareux · Nov 20, 2013

It took me about 9 months to fully adjust to nights. Here are my stats: 12 hour NOC shifts, part-time (5 days per pay period), 3 kids, husband, just started working out again because I feel I have fully adjusted, I get about 6.5 hours of sleep each day, and sometimes more; especially after a 3 or 4 day stretch. I always schedule my work days in a row, as much as possible, so that I can have a long stretch of time off--doing this allows me to be able to participate in the lives of the "normal" humans who I live amongst.

I can't imagine my health being affected from this shift; mostly because I love this shift. It works for me and my family. Perhaps if it started to negatively affect me or my family, then yes, I can see how working this shift can impact my health. So far so good.

workingmama77, BSN · Nov 20, 2013

New grad here..hired for 10:45p-7:15a shift (24 hours/week). Right now because I'm on orientation I work 32 hrs/wk. I was very worried shifting to nights (worked evenings previously in my other job), especially since I only had a weekend to switch myself from days to nights. I LOVE it! :up: Sleep is in long, extended naps, usually 4-6hrs during the day and I HAVE TO take a 2 hr nap before going into work at night otherwise I'm cranky. I eat small meals/snacks (mostly healthy ) during my awake hours & have actually lost 4 lbs since starting a month ago. I haven't started my "permanent schedule" yet, so keeping up with my work out schedule has been next to impossible :no: . I feel good so far and try to take care of myself, other wise I'm useless to my patients/coworkers. The only downside so far to this kind of crazy schedule is that my hubby is having an awful time sleeping alone at night. Poor thing!

Valhalla_RN · Nov 26, 2013

I can never resist an opportunity to state my love of the night shift, as so many people hate it! I'm like janfrn though - I work in Canada and my schedule is a forward rotating mix of 12 hour days and nights. I work two 12 hour days, then two 12 hour nights, followed by 4-5 days off (although that is going to change soon for us in British Columbia as a result of the new increase in work hours).

I suffer on each and every one of my days shifts. Up at 0530, 45 min commute on public transit, 12 hour shift, don't get home until 2000. Eat dinner and then try desperately to stay awake to at least spend a small amount of time with my husband, a member of the 9-5 set. I usually fall asleep before 2130. What kind of life is that? Weekend days are typically better, but not always.

Enter night shift. I sleep well after nights (typically at least 6 hours) and nap on my breaks on shift. The pace is typically slower, allowing me to get to know my patients better and do a thorough review of their charts. No administration around. Good sense of camaraderie. I have had my share of awful nights, but I'd still prefer this shift over the mess that is often day shift.

Like another member commented, I wouldn't want to do SOLELY nights, but a schedule in which I had the majority of shifts as nights would be fine by me. I'm famous for being the go to gal for trades to work people's night shifts :)

ClassyChristina · Nov 30, 2013

I've worked nights for ten months. Constantly sleep deprived. Worse menstrual cycles of my life. Developed thyroid issues and now have borderline hypothriodism. Constantly depressed - I miss being around people if I am up in the middle of the night on my days off. I have gained 20lbs so far and constantly eating to help myself feel more alert and less groggy. I am the most miserable person on this shift.(and I am NOT prone to depression at all.) In the process of switching shifts now... I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.