Need Help to recover from night shift.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Nov 21, 2014

Does your employer have an employee assistance program? Because it sounds like the problem is not nights per se- but the situation you are in. {{hugs}}

firstinfamily, RN · Nov 24, 2014

I agree with meanmaryjean, it sounds like the stresses of things are keeping you from resting and perhaps making you feel more depressed. Not getting enough sleep can make any of us bears to live with, has your hubby been able to apply for unemployment? What about you picking up a few extra shifts? It seems sometimes life is just not fair, no matter what we do there usually lurks some unforseen event that throws us for a loop. The job market is still very difficult for anyone. See if your facility has the program the above post was speaking of (EA) if you get your health care plan from them, they should have this type of program that offers some limited counseling and talking to someone may help you feel better about the circumstances. Good Luck!!!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 30, 2014

I am 4 years away from retirement. I work 7 nights a month ( 3 one week 4 the next).
My problem is in the recovery. I find the first day that I am awake after a stretch of nights I am unable to cope as I usually would with the day to day stresses of living. I have learned not to take too much on these days but am always either cranky or crying. My family is struggling these days as my husband lost his job and I am depressed anyway, but these days are really hard to live through. Any tips? I usually get enough sleep.

Four years from retirement? Late 50s/early 60s? I'm thinking the problem might not be so much night shift but the working four in a week.

I'm about the same age, and I find that my first day after I stretch of nights I STILL need to come home and sleep 6-8 hours. I get up at the usual 4 PM and go to the gym. If I neglect the going to the gym part, I am cranky and sleepy and usually drag myself off to bed at an early hour NOT to sleep but to get away from the stresses of interacting with a husband who doesn't understand that I'm tired and cranky from the four shifts in a row and trying to turn my body around (even though he works nights, too. Somehow he thinks that HE has difficulties but I'm supposed to magically switch over!)

If you get enough sleep, that's a big plus. I have difficulty sleeping no matter what shift I work. Taking it easy the first day is a great idea; your husband ought to be able to pick up the slack around the house so you don't have to push yourself. Be good to yourself. Work out if you can; it helps. And if you need someone to talk to, perhaps you have a program through work that can help.