2nd Shifter Adjusting to Days

[gymnut]

I have worked 2nd shift for a majority of my life. Especially for the past 4 1/2 years. I am also one of those rare breeds that LOVES this shift and wouldn't trade it for the world. This is why I am so happy that I found night class CNA training.

The downside though is the night class is only on Tuesdays and Thursdays and for the first 3 weeks the class is from 8am-12pm on Saturdays. That was early but do-able after several large coffees. Then I found out that when clinicals start it's a normal shift from 7am - 3:30pm. So that means I have to get up at 5:45am.

YIKES!!!

I am really nervous that I won't be able to adjust to this in time and do really lousy in my clinicals because I'll be joining the residents in their beds rather than helping them out of them. I already got prescription sleeping pills from my doctor as a plan B and have been trying to do it naturally over these last few weeks but have had no luck so far. I just lay in bed until my normal bedtime rolls around and then I fall asleep.

I tried to look up other threads on here but only came across ones that required adjusting to night shift but none for days. On the plus side since a lot of people dislike 2nds I think I'll have more job opportunities! :)

[yousoldtheworld]

I've been there - I'm a 2nd/3rd shifter by nature, and when I have had to do days in the past it was really hard for me.

The only way I know to adjust isn't the best - a few days before I have to start getting up early, I will stay up all night, and not allow myself to go to sleep until 7-8 p.m. Then, the next day, I might set my goal to be in bed by 9, etc. The initial day of sleep deprivation sucks, so I always do it when I have a completely free day.

If you find a better way than this, I'd love to hear it. :)

[*4!#6]

2nd shifter as well hear and for me there is just no way to adjust to days. I suck it up and do my best when my work schedules me for me. Usually I won't get to sleep until past midnight the first day, then have to wake up at 5:45 AM. By the end of that day I am exhausted and may be able to pass out early. Continue this until I am back to evenings and rejoice.