My first night shift... help!

[Kwells29]

I'm a new nurse and I have my First overnight shift tomorrow... I've been working days, getting up at 4a and have no idea how I'm going to make a 6p-6a shift tomorrow. I'm excited but terrified of being absolutely exhausted... Any tips would be amazing!!

[CelticGoddess, BSN, RN]

What Pat said. I am awake at this hour because I have to work tonight. I'll go back to bed about 8am and sleep all day. And coffee is your friend.

I just realized I have a 3 shift stretch coming up. I'm tired already!

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Staying up late does not help me! I tried it 1 time. I get normal sleep the night before. Then try to take a 5-8 hr nap during the day before my night shift. It has typically turned into just 2-5 hrs.

Then, coffee, green tea and energy drinks. And lots of food, before and during the shift..

[Farawyn]

Let me also add, I loathe nights. I don't work nights. I've only done nights about 4 years, although I did dally on the 3-11 shift for a time.

In fact, I have no business whatsoever in this thread.

Peace.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I can drink coffee and go right to sleep. I actually often have a cup before bed! Lol. I am immune!

[GreenEyedGirlie]

Vitamin B and try to stay away from the sugars. Too much sugar makes me crash later.

[Farawyn]

Vitamin B and try to stay away from the sugars. Too much sugar makes me crash later.

I love Vit. B. [emoji7]

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Night shift is awesome! You'll love it.

I stick to my nights schedule on my days of just because I see no reason to be awake at 8 am. But I have also survived with a 3-4 hour nap before shifts. You'll figure out what works for you.

Caffeine is great, but it's not everything. Stay hydrated. Whoever said snacks and protein are your friends was right. It is common sense, but avoid ordering out or eating really heavy, carby food. I stress eat when I'm at work sometimes, lol, and I always regret it.

Walking around and doing exercises helps with that 3 am slump, I think.

Make sure you have a dark, quiet place to rest afterward. You will have definitely earned it!

Good luck!

[they_see_me_rollin]

Work all night... sleep all day!

[WinterLilac]

Let me also add, I loathe nights. I don't work nights. I've only done nights about 4 years, although I did dally on the 3-11 shift for a time.

In fact, I have no business whatsoever in this thread.

Peace.

yes yes yes. I did nights for almost 5 years and never once got used to it. I tried EVERYTHING but at the 2am mark, bang! Extreme tiredness. Night shifters are a special breed that's for sure!

Good luck OP, hope it's busy so it'll make the time go faster! :)

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Be sure and utilize the search feature- there are a tone of threads with really good advice on this forum.

PS: All the cool kids work nights!

[maxdog]

avoid any sugar or carbs on your shift -- you'll have a blood sugar crash 1 hr later and you'll feel completely lifeless. But honestly night shift is just a wash. I felt hungover all the time. I feel like I can barely remember anything that happened in my life during the 2 years I was on nights.

[WinterLilac]

avoid any sugar or carbs on your shift -- you'll have a blood sugar crash 1 hr later and you'll feel completely lifeless. But honestly night shift is just a wash. I felt hungover all the time. I feel like I can barely remember anything that happened in my life during the 2 years I was on nights.

Me too! And everyone was to afraid to visit in case I answered the door at midday with my hair everywhere and a really nasty look on my face. One time we had a mentally ill next door neighbour (off his meds) roaming our backyard looking for his 'dog'. His calling woke me up, so I threw open the back door and just glared at him. He scuttled off and never returned!

OP, you'll find out if you're either a night shifter or a day shifter...is there anyone who is fine doing both??? I'd like to do a research paper on you if so