New Night Nurse

Published

Hi

I have been orienting on first shift since the beginning of Sept. I change next week. Any advise on how to prepare? Should I just start staying up really late and sleeping in over the weekend? I am on first this week then off on the weekend then start Mon nite and 4 nites on.

Thanks

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Specializes in neuro/neurosurgery/epilepsy m/s too.

The transition isn't that bad. The first night is always the hardest. I think it is easier after your first day of night shift. I have been working nights over two years. I find it easy to sleep during the day after working. And if you wake up in the morning that first day try to take a nap before work and you should do fine.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Hospice, Float pool, Med/Peds.

I prefer nights by far...My body is used to less sleep and for now it works. I cannot say when I am 50 or 60, I will feel the same, but for now nights works well for me and my family. I do take a Benedryl if I am having trouble sleeping and that is enough to put me in sleepy land... Good luck to you...

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Specializes in Med/Surg GI/GU/GYN.

I've been doing nights for about 10 months. I still find the first night the hardest, but usually get up in the morning & then try for a 3-4 hour nap that afternoon. I work 12's now so I have very tight sleep parameters. When I worked 11p-7:30a, what worked best for me was sleeping from 1p - 9p. My friend at work, who's been doing nights forever, sleps right away when she gets home in the mornings so she can have dinner w/ her family. Whatever works best for you, which you'll find out in a couple of weeks. Good luck! I wouldn't trade my nights at the hospital (at least for now) for anything! I LOVE being there with my patients in the middle of the night. Things can be crazy, but there's just something about nights...

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