long term night shift work versus health

peachsncrem29 · Jan 4, 2003

HI, nite shift is very hard on the body.

I don't care how long u been working nights

your body dont get us to it...

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2003

Much has been researched about the ill effects of working night shift. I had read somewhere that someone who works nights for their entire career, takes 7 years off their life. I wish I could remember that source. Anyway...check out these links...

http://www.canoe.ca/Health0110/16_cancer-ap.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1535396.stm

http://www.buildingbetterhealth.com/topic/shift

Makes you wonder if it is worth the $2 or $3 differential. I worked night for 12 years...I miss the sanity of nights as far as the whole milieu thing goes, but I do feel better.

renerian, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2003

Not worth all the money in the world to me. I can't sleep during the day, can't eat on nights, to tired to eat during the day, I end up losing alot of weight which I cannot afford to do and get exhausted and malnourished. Ended up hospitalized once after weeks of nights.

renerian

Nursenan0 · Jan 5, 2003

Doctor said it would be the death of me, lol. I ended up off work for 3 months for not listening.....thats the only info I have and its all I need any more!

Nursenan

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2003

Personally, I plan on working nights when I graduate because I am a total night owl and REALLY not a morning person!! I think that I am nocturnal and I am young so I know it will be fine for me. I can sleep anytime of day!

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2003

Go for it, Emerald...that was me, but not anymore. Just enjoying my old age now. Nights if you can handle it, has it's advantages!

renerian, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2003

Thank Goodness for people like you Emerald. I go to bed at 9pm and get up around 4 to 5am.

Sbic love your turtle.

renerian

Jayne LPN · Jan 5, 2003

I LOVE MY NITES TOO. AM NOT A DAY PERSON......HATE HAVING ALL THE DOCS, PT, RT, OT, FAMILIES, ETC, HOVERING AROUND ON THE FLOOR. BUT I CAN SLEEP ANYTIME...I WOULD NOT GIVE UP MY NITES.....PLUS WHEN WOULD I SEE MY HUBBY IF I WORKED DAYS......?.........?..........?

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2003

Thx renarian

I'm a turtle lover from way back.

JetLPN · Jan 5, 2003

Thank you all for replying I have done this on and off for 14 yrs, I just survived Hodgkins cancer two yrs ago and I think i need to get off night work also the radiation kicked out my thriody so I am on meds for this too , now I have a new DON who thinks I am a mess or a threat and had me working three shifts , now down to two eve and nights.only because my DR set her straight , this is why I am also on my way to washington , the grass wont be greener but ill be a lot smarter , eve shift is my motto ! thanks for listening and me rambling, also I have had trouble keeping or gaining my weight back I have always been thin but ist a scarey struggle now !!:roll

oramar · Jan 5, 2003

I am glad you are looking out for yourself Jet. Sounds to me as if your life depends on it. Sometimes I talk about my 62 year old sister-law who is a NA. Things were getting to her at work on daylight. Several months ago she switched to nights. She makes more money and she adapted to the hours just fine. There is also the big decrease in hassels. So it shows the situation is different for everyone. She loves nights and she thinks she may actually be able to make it to 65 and retirement now.:)