Here I go...about to start on the dreaded mandatory night shift rotation. I haven't done night shift since my early 20s (now in my early 30s). Arrghh! Can't say I'm looking forward to it. But we have a night shift shortage & everyone on my floor on the day shift has been mandated to do 3 weeks of night shift. Now it's my turn.:zzzzz
I've got 3 days until I start. Being accustomed to getting up at 5:30 am for my day shift position, this is completely contrary to my nature! I am trying to ready myself by staying up as late as possible for the next few days. I've got my box fan ready to go, my blackout drapes in place, my sunglasses ready for the drive home in the am. I will unplug my phone when I get home each morning. I'll be brewing a big pot of coffee in the evening before work & will not drink any past 2 am...
I've been dreading my night shift rotation! I know it's only 3 weeks, so I'm clinging to that thought. But I have a feeling it's going to be heck. Any shift workers that have survival tips for me?
After my 3 weeks of night shift, I get 2 days off then I'm back onto days. I KNOW it will wreck my body to flip flop like that.
I'm already tired just thinking about it!
I'd appreciate any advice you night shift folk might have!
Being the flip-flop queen of days to nights (school during the day, part time 12 shifts at night), my best advice is to sleep whenever you can! Benadryl is a good staple to invest in. If I have trouble sleeping, I try to nap in 2-3 hour blocks. I try to avoid drinking any coffee or Mountain Dew (my lifesaver) for 3 hours before the end of shift.
Good luck--you'll be back to day shift in no time.:zzzzz
I just came off two years of working 1-2 twelve hour shifts per week. The actual shifts were OK as long as I was busy. Not to mention, a Mountain Dew at midnight carried me through to six am when things picked up again.
Fortunately with this schedule, even though I could only sleep 4-5 hours the next day, I was usually so tired that night, I would sleep the night through and be back on schedule the next day.
No one can truly be healthy on nights unless they have adjusted their circadian rhythms and follow the same hours when they are not working.
Best of luck to you!! Hope it's only temporary! Vive day shifts!
I used to work day/night rotation a few years back. Then i got a day job, went back to school and finished my RN. When i went back to the hospital i had to go to the day/night thing again. Took a few tips from my sister who works nights. Aluminum foil taped on the windows can completely block out the light and keep the room cooler if you are in a warm climate. I called it my cave. LOL Earplugs keep any of the daytime noises from bothering you (lawn mowers, car horns, birds), i tried to get at least 2 hours more sleep when i worked nights than i did when i would sleep during the night. I never got rid of the achiness though, so tylenol was my best friend. I finally lucked out and one of my co-workers actually wanted to work straight nights so she didnt have to rotate and i took the day shift opposite her nights. So far so good, but if she leaves ill be back to the night rotation again.
Hope you find your miricle,, if you do come post it.
MelRN13
322 Posts
Good luck--you'll be back to day shift in no time.:zzzzz