Need advice-Night shift LPN at LTC

[Blackcat99]

I am broke so will be returning to nursing next month. What advice would you give to an LPN working noc shift in order to survive. I need the money bad and the hospitals are looking for per diem LPN's only.Thanks

[joni p]

I have worked noc shift on and off. THE MOST important thing is that you get your rest and SLEEP! Whatever it takes, even if you have to take meds to get you to sleep. Make your room dark, and I mean totally dark. Chang your body clock if you anticiapte you will be working regularly. Also, Try to find some drug stores with 24 hr pharmacists on duty. You never know when you will need a pharmacist. Got any RN friends who work noc shift too? If not, find some, they will be invaluable to you in the middle of the night when you are not sure how to handle a situation.

And PRAY for no staff call ins. Better yet, just pray any way.

Best of Luck!

JOni

[Betty_SPN_KS, LPN]

When I started working nights, I took generic benedryl to help me sleep during the day. Haven't needed that in a while, though. I use lots of caffeine. I'm thankful for air conditioning. It's hard to sleep well when it's so hot.

[Blackcat99]

Thanks all for your great advice. I got the job and will be starting on Monday. It is very hot here and I can't use the air conditioning because my 82 year old mother is cold all the time. She does go to adult day care every Monday and Wed. so I will put the air conditioner on full blast when she leaves for the day.