Need Advice - cope working night shift

NurseDixie · Feb 19, 2004

Put up dark window blinds or even put aluminum foil on your windows in your bedroom to make it as dark as possible. Don't eat a lot before going to bed. I worked 11p-7a a long time ago, and I used to stay up til about noon before going to bed. I had a lot of time to do my errands, etc. But now most night shifts run from 7p-7a, so I guess you'd have to go to be as early as possible to get enough sleep. Working only 3 shifts a week might not be too bad. Good luck.

nclexhater · Feb 20, 2004

Yeah, I got advice. Dont fall asleep on the job.

SCNuttyMeg · Feb 20, 2004

I'm a new grad and I wanted to work nights. I had worked two year of nights while as a tech and Its an adjustment to your body. When I work I try to stay up late the night before my first shift so ill sleep through the day. Wake up around 3 if I have errands to run...4 if not. When i get off work I go to bed between 9-10 and wake up at 4 for another night. The bad part is when you get off work and you dont have to work the next night. Dont sleep all day!!. Get 4hours or so and get your butt out of the bed and get moving or you will be up like me :) AS a new grad I have more time on night shift to look things up, learn the ropes at a slower pace and try to comprhend whats going on. Until i feel more comfortable and more independent Ill stay on nights. I love it. And yes you can catch a few workers catching sleepy eye here and there. Good Luck

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2004

Hi

I LOVE NIGHTS!! I have worked them for about 27 years; They could NOT pay me enough to go back to days!!

Before I started nights, I had never worked them. I was totally a day person--or so I thought!

I like the fact that there are fewer people around, Your patients are here (don't have to chase them thru every dept) the noise level is more manageable;

I agree with all the suggestions. Room-Darkening shades, turn off the phone; set the VCR to tape all your favorite shows you want to see; Tell your friends the times you sleep so they don't disturb you.

Up until last June, I worked part-time Home Care when I got off in the AM. Now I just go home; I don't go to sleep, tho until about 3 or 3:30. This still gives me 6-6 1/2 hrs. sleep.

I love nites because I can get so much done in the day time!!

gwenith, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2004

1) carry dark glasses and use them to drive home in the morning. don't look at briht daylight if you want to sleep that day it re-sets your biological clock.

2) sometimes it is better to get 3-4 hours sleep in the afternoon before nights than to stay up the day before - you will have to find out what suits you best

3) Apples - lots of apples they keep you awake. Coffee gives you a higher "wake-up" but apples last longer

treddrn · Feb 20, 2004

I would suggest finding a way for the telemarketers to not call you or not call you while you are sleeping in the daytime. Maybe a routine pattern to prepare you for sleep may help. I wish you the best.

Ortho_RN · Feb 20, 2004

Cool.. I didn't know that about apples :)

Trauma Columnist · Feb 20, 2004

I worked nights for about 10 years and I too am a real day person. For me, it meant always having a routine and guarding my sleep. I turned off the phone (my kids and hubby had my cell phone which I kept in the charger in the bedroom), and made sure all my friends knew I worked nights and not to call until 4 pm. This worked well. I also wanted my 3 nights to be in a row - changing to one on, one off is torture! Good luck - it can be done.

Ortho_RN · Feb 20, 2004

I just started night shift, and right now its been pretty hard trying to get my body used to it... My body tells me that I need to be awake during the day, so there are days that I wake up 4hrs later...

Hopefully it will get better...

iliang · Mar 11, 2004

its my third night..and yeah the mind is willing but the body is weak..i havent sleep for 3days for more than 4 hours and its driving me nuts..I should try the apples cant drink coffee i promised to abstain from that not until i passed my boards... :chuckle

gwenith, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2004

Here is a website you might find useful

http://www.enw.org/NightShift.htm