New to night shift....any advice?

Rebekulous · Sep 20, 2018

Congrats on the job! Night shift can be awesome, once you adjust to it. Will you have a set schedule? When I was working nights I was able to handle them easier if I could get into a rhythm for my sleep. The day of my first shift, I usually took a nap for a few hours in the afternoon. Then after my last shift (I did three-in-a-row), I would sleep until noon and then force myself to stay up until my "normal" bedtime. The next day I would be back on my day schedule.

Of course, I don't have kids, so I don't know if that would work for you. I also got a prescription for Lunesta, because I had trouble staying asleep during the day.

You may need to experiment with a few different strategies before you find something that works for you.

MrsMwenja_RN · Sep 20, 2018

Hi! Thanks for your post. I don't think it will be a set schedule because I have to alternate weekends. My hubby works days and we will have daycare during the day so I can sleep so that isn't a problem. So ideally, hubby will take him to daycare in the morning before work and I can come home and sleep for a while and pick baby up in afternoon/late afternoon and we can spend the evening together. Hubby will just have to be home from work before I have to leave. I don't know if I should make myself stay up all night every night because I don't see how I can alternate my sleep schedule like that. The shifts are 7p-7a so thankfully it'll only be 3 days a week. I just hope I can sleep when I need to and be functioning/present when I'm awake (at work and with my family). I was thinking about going to see my doctor for advice and ask about what medications might be available to help me sleep. I don't really want to take anything strong so maybe melatonin. How does lunesta affect you? Is it like ambien? Thanks again for your post.

Kallie3006, ADN · Sep 20, 2018

I went to nights after being on days for 4 years. I was so afraid I was going to struggle but fortunately I didn't, and then I wondered why it to me so long to move to nights because I love it! I actually get to see my kids more working nights than when I did days.

Blackout curtains are amazing

Set phone on do not disturb- exceptions can be made for daycare and such

I use the TV but I would recommend some type of constant noise if you can sleep with it, this helps with masking various "daytime" noises so those don't startle you awake.

Neuro sonic makes a sleep drink (they have them at the grocery stores, gas station here, or Amazon) they work for me

Congrats on your new job!

Rebekulous · Sep 20, 2018

You should definitely talk to your doctor. For me, melatonin didn't work, and the lunesta helped with the specific sleep issues I was having. I've never taken ambien, so I can't really compare the two. The only problem I have is that it sometimes is hard to do that initial push to get out of bed. But once I'm up and moving, I feel awake.

Also, I second the white noise and blackout curtains. I also have a sleep mask, in case any light creeps in. I've heard of some people wearing sunglasses on their drive home to keep from having the sun trigger their body to stay awake.

It sounds like you've got some good support in place already, so I'm sure you'll have a smooth transition :)

amoLucia · Sep 22, 2018

And establish one sacrosanct rule - NEVER to be awakened for anything by anyone except for an emergency (as defined as a fire or hemorrhaging).

Try to establish a specific sleep time and STICK TO IT. Nobody is to bother you for anything unless a serious reason. This means in person or by phone/text. Also you need to honor that dedicated sleep period, except for the occ deviation.

People will think you're home all day, so that makes you fair game to be contacted for any and all reasons. This will be tough for family, incl hubby, but it can be done.

After reading all the postings here on AN, it appears to me that the most critical adjustment is establishing 'sleep time'. It may take some schedule adjustments and trial & error to find the right blend.

Good luck.