New RN hating night shift

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Hello all. I am an RN with 6 months experience. I oriented days when I first started my nursing orientation and then switched to orienting nights in order to prepare myself for my nightshift position. I have been working 12 hours nights for 6 months now. I can't express enough how much I dislike it. More than anything, it is simply the hours. I have never been a night owl and since working night shift, I have experienced sleep deprivation, GI issues, and horrible headaches. It was the only position I was offered so I took it. I have looked into other nursing jobs (specifically days or evenings) but all require 1 year experience. Does anyone have any advice? Or has anyone experienced this? It is affecting the quaity of my nursing care, as my patience is short. I am at a loss as to what to do. I have to work but I am not sure how much longer I will last on nights. Any advice is greatly appreciated..Thanks!

Specializes in Nursing Informatics, E.R., med surg, ENT.

Night shift is tough. Some folks thrive on it while others struggle a bit more at first. I do a lot of the tips of the other nurses who posted replies to get some sleep during the day. the only adive I can say is get enough SLEEP. In the afternoon when you get up, you'll have enough energy to be with the kids, walk the dogs, watch the soccer game, go grocery shopping, run to the post office and the bank. My wife likes the fact that I get all the day appointments done so she does not have to take off from her 9-5 job.

Personally, I enjoy working nights because it does have some inherent challenges. The smaller staffing levels, the sleepy physicians on call, patients acting out, patients conditions changing almost at the same time, and so on.

You tend to bond more with the other staff members in your unit and other units as well . We became a tight knit family of sorts who watch out for each other.

Moving to days was actually tougher for me.

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Specializes in SNF, Oncology.

I feel ya! I worked 8 months on nights and have realized I'm not a night person. I switched to days in April and feel so much better. As I worked nights, I felt like a zombie ALL THE TIME! I felt like I had no time for my hubbs and kids.

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Melatonin, they actually have it in a vitamin supplement form. You can get it at any grocery store. It works to promote sleep and helped me have a more fulfilling sleep without feeling drowsy when I woke up.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.
Hey Pongoo,

I totally agree with every single thing you said, except for the aluminum foil...great idea, but I have glass doors not windows....

s

I always put a dark quilt over a curtain rod, so i could take it down easily when I wanted more sunlight. The quilt also helps insulate the room so you can keep it cooler. I kept a fan going, got the room as cool as possible, turned off the phone and let all my friends know that they were NOT to call me until after 4pm. I even put a sign on the door that said "Do not ring the doorbell--baby sleeping. If you wake the baby, there will be hell to pay.):lol2:

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Thank you for all the advise... I'm needing it, too! I am a new RN and start a new job tomorrow night. I will 4 on, 4 off, 3 on, 3 off. I hope I can keep up and not fall asleep! I did my RN capstone in Hospice on nights, and fell asleep a few times. So, since I start tomorrow night, do I stay up all night tonight to prepare?

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.

What are your sleep patterns like?

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Keep searching for other positions. As you approach the magic one year mark, hopefully something will open up. Definitely approach your current employer about the possibility of switching but hang in there until you have enough experience to be able to land one of those coveted days or PMs jobs.

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Specializes in Clinical, Geriatric, Med/Surg,.

At least you are fortunate enough to know that you will specifically be on nights. I have been working in my dept (mind you I am not the lowest person on the totem pole) for several years now and just recently my work schedule looked like this 7p-7a for 3 nights, one day off, 7a-7p, 7a-3p, off, then 7p-7a for 2 nights. It's not very often that I get a messed up schedule like this, but yes, it did take a toll on my and especially my children. I was like a zombie for most of the week. On top of all that, my commute is an hour each way! I say hang in there and just keep trying to apply for a day job if that is what you truly desire. Did you ask any of your co-workers if they are happy with their day job?...they may be willing to switch with you. Good luck and yes, invest in very dark thick curtains, earplugs, and if you must an airconditioner. Here in Hawaii, the thick curtains, block out not only the sun and some of the sound, but also the air. Definitly, SHUT OFF your phone.

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Specializes in CVICU, telemetry.

I sympathize! I cannot tolerate nights, since I cannot sleep during the day when I have been up all night. I felt exhausted after a night shift, but once my body "caught sight" of daylight, I couldn't sleep properly. And I tried everything under the sun: darkened room, sleeping mask, fans to block out street noise, relaxing music... whatever tips I gleaned from 3rd shifters (and this board!) I made a point of experimenting with.

Even with medication, however, I would still wake up after 2-3 hours of sleep and not feel rested, and feel like hell when I got up for a shift. Lke you, I would feel nauseated and what I can only describe as "hung-over"--without the ETOH consumption. My days off were no better--I was constantly sleep deprived, cranky, and "not myself." In addition, I eventually began to become physically ill; not only was I constantly coming down with colds and GI issues, I even broke out in a rash from the stress and strain on my system (no kidding; never happened prior and never since).

I firmly believe you either "are" or "aren't" a night shift person. As much as I liked my job (and I do like certain things about night shift better than days!) my circadian rhythm does not allow it (and I spent at least a year working the shift, which should be plenty to "adjust.")

I finally had no choice but to listen to what my body was telling me and find a job that allowed me to work day shift (evenings would work, too--just can't stay up past a certain time at night without feeling like crap the next day). It wasn't easy, but I transitioned with agency work and eventually found a per diem job which lead to a part time job on days. Of course, per diem does not offer benefits, and COBRA was spendy, but I did what I had to do. I'm not suggesting you quit your job to find a day shift job (if possible) because that may not work for your present situation--but my feeling when I was at the end of my rope was, "If you can't take care of yourself, how on earth are you supposed to take care of sick people in a hospital?

As others have suggested here, I would not hesitate to bring up my concerns with your manager and get on a "wait list" if there is one available, for days. I suggest during this conversation you stress to her that you like your job, want to continue working there, but simply are not physically tolerating nights. I would also speak to a doctor and see what adjunctive treatments/medicines (if you're comfortable with that option) are available to you, and see if that helps. I also would continue to look for day position jobs (you never know).

Do you have enough time to take a little "stay-cation"? You sound like you need a little break. I know I felt unable to make clear judgments about my situation when I was that exhausted and sleep-deprived; you may benefit from that as well.

In the meantime, try your best to exercise (hard when you feel like crud, I know!) eat healthy foods, get the emotional support you need from family and friends, and try to plan a few social activities to keep what balance you can.

You have my full sympathy; I wish I could offer a "magic bullet"--but then we'd all probably want to work nights!

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I love nights, but I realize not everyone can adjust to them.

Are you keeping a regular night schedule even on your days off. Trying to switch back to a "day person" on your days off is not good. You body needs some kind of consistency. I work 3 12 hours shifts. I sleep as soon as I get home. I stay up until at least 3am on my days off.

Don't sacrifice your sleep to do things during the day. If you were working the day shift you would not be home anyways to be with your family or go places.

It takes a good 6 months to get used to night IMHO. It takes even longer to get your family and friends adjusted.

If you really can't adjust, I agree that you need to find another job.

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Specializes in ICU, PICU, School Nursing, Case Mgt.
Good information here. I got a job that I start at the end of July that will be straight nights. I'm a total morning person, I get up at 4am to work out and have done that for almost 10 years. This is going to be a huge transition for me.

Any other advice?

I am afraid I have no advice for you, I just wanted to say that I am usually just going to bed at 4am!!!!!!!!!!:D

Conversly, and all joking aside, I have had difficulty in the past when I have had to work 7a-7p...so it sort of goes back to my original assumption that you are either a night person or a day person.

Only advice would be to tough it out until you can find a day position...the good thing is that you will be available to look for days and to interview. It's hard working 5 9-5 days with only the weekends off.

To look on the bright side :) it is nice to have a profession that allows the choice.

Good luck on nights

s

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How crazy! Why do you have to work permanent nights for that long? I find that insane....We only have to do 4 night shifts a month...

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