Need Night Shift Tips

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Specializes in Emergency.

I will be starting Night Shift in the ER next week. Ive never worked a night shift in my life! I am worried about the transition since I value getting 8 hours of sleep each night. Also, since I work only 3 shifts a week, what's the best thing to do? Any tips from you seasoned veterans would be helpful!! :banghead:

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Specializes in CCU MICU Rapid Response.

amb123456, I work 12's 3xweek.

We self schedule, and I generally do 2 on 3 off.

I like it like that. (When I go home in the am, I am halfway done!)

I get up early(ish) in the am if I am scheduled to work that nite.

A short nap to rejuvenate, (1500-1630)

Fluff and buff, followed with a good dinner.

In the am, I go straight to bed, maybe a lite meal.

I get up at around 3-4, which gives me the 8 hours I also need.

Next am, I will only sleep till noon or so, just so I dont waste the day.

You really do get into the groove. Good luck on nites in the ER! :) Ivanna

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Specializes in Emergency.

Avoid snacking all night (new nurse 15) and take nexium (it upsets my tummy!)

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Specializes in NICU.

I agree, way too easy to just keep eating if you have snacks...I found that it really helped, though, to have something resembling a real meal (a cup o' soup or something similar) for the wee hours, around 2 or 3 a.m. It made me feel more like staying up all night was a normal thing.

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Definitely easy to snack all night. I usually have a meal late at night. I get off at 4am so I head straight to bed then up by noon.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Med Surg.

I work 3 in a row usually, 7p-7a, I try the first night on to nap around 1-2 till 4:30 (1630) and then off to work. I always sleep good the next day, maybe breakfast then to bed around 9 and up at 1650, the second and third night the same. When I get home after the 3rd night I still sleep till whenever and then go back to sleep that night and start regular daytime hours till next time I work. Good luck, make sure you eat something either before work or at work.

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Specializes in ER, L&D, RR, Rural nursing.

Sleep in and nap the first night on. 2nd night sleep til you need to get up, I take a warm relaxing bath with some breakfast when I get home. Try to keep busy all night, stocking rooms ect during times when you aren't involved in pt care. I also avoided caffeine after about 0200. When the strech is over, sleep for a few hours, wake in the early afternoon and get back to life as you know it. Make sure you eat a good meal before you go to work.

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

For nights, actually for any shift

Good Rest, Good Diet. Good Exercise. Good Sex. I think all 4 lead to a healthy pleasant work experience. Actually to a good life experience. Sorry for being blunt.

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Specializes in ED/trauma.

I really don't think you will need much help-either you will like nights or you will hate them. I have done four 7p-7as per week now for 13 years (love them) I pick up a few day shifts here and there and I want to die getting up that early-especially when it's for a class (ACLS,TNCC). It won't take you long to fiqure out your routine. I never sleep before my first shift, I think it makes me more tired that first night, and I always stay up after my last (or you sleep away your whole day!) Right now I leave my last night and go to class all day, so it can be done. I also like being home during the day, if my kids are too sick to go to school, or have a field trip or something, I can just go without sleep to be there for them, I don't have to miss a day of work for it. It even doesn't get in the way with my husband working day shift, we still get to see each other enough. And don't worry about getting tired during your shift-you will be waaaay too busy for that to happen. And during that rare time when it may be quiet trust me your co-workers will keep you entertained-you can do a lot of fun things during the night when there are no NMs there. And you will be so tired when you get home that no matter how much adrenaline was running thrugh your veins all night, you will still fall right to sleep and will sleep like a rock! Just my advice, hope it helps!

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Specializes in CMSRN.

Completely agree with I Love Trauma. I love nights too

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

Ambien and a good therapist!

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.
Ambien and a good therapist!

I will pass on the drugs, I will pass on the therapist. But a good masseuse would be very helpful

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