New LPN on nights, can I handle this?

[dsomday]

I just landed my first SNF position on nights. I have never worked nights before and am very afraid I will not be able to handle it. Im 43, which worries me even more. I will be working 3 12's a week, but not all in a row. I am also worried that my days off I will be just too tired to do anything at all. I have always wanted to work 12's, but now I am worried I just cant cut it, especially on the night shift. Any suggestions/advice would be wonderful.

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

I worked night shift when I worked in the hospital as a CNA. I didn't think I could handle it but amazingly I handled it pretty well. I'm not saying that you will get adequate sleep because then I would be lying to you. You will feel the effects of night shift especially if you have family to care for. But overall it's not bad. What I would do is I would sleep as soon as I got the kids sent off to school. Then I would wake up just before they would get home and then sleep a few hours before the start of shift. It worked for me, but it doesn't work for all. Some I know would sleep from like noon until 8pm and then wake up. It just all depends. Now since you're going to be working from 7pm-7am you may want to sleep as soon as you get home and then get up by 4 or 5pm. Hope this helps and good luck!

[dsomday]

Oh thank you! My kids are teens, so they are pretty independent, Im lucky in that respect. My husband is more dependent than they are!!! Thanks for the tips!

[guest2210]

Make sure you have room darkening shades or drapes on your windows, or get a sleep mask. It's difficult to rearrange your days to nights. You may want to take healthy snacks to help you stay awake as well. Nuts, veggies, beef jerky. The higher the protein the better. Simple carbs will make you want to sleep. Good luck.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I have also noticed that getting regular exercise seems to help me stay awake and maintain somewhat regular wake/sleep cycles on my days off.