Night Nursing

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2006

I've been working nights now for six months and have recently asked to go to a different shift. I became so depressed, quit seeing my friends, family, didn't want to go anywhere or do anything. All I was doing was working and sleeping. Now after reading all of your posts I wonder if I made a mistake because I love the shift, the nurses, no ancillary staff around etc. But when 10:30 rolled around I became miserable having to leave my family and go to work. What to do? What to do? Nursing hours suck. I was so looking forward to having a different schedule than the normal 8 to 5 that I've done all my life, but have found that I am a person that needs routine in my life and with nursing you just don't get it.

Many find that working 3 12's (7pm-7am) is easier than five nights a week from 11pm-7am. First of all, it's more hours in less time so you have more nights off with your family. Second of all, it's a lot easier to leave the house at 6:30pm than 10:30pm. It's very hard to see the family getting ready to go to bed and then have to leave.

Justhere, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2006

I worked nights when I first became a nurse and worked it for 6 years. Now that I got my RN I am back to nights again. Working in a hospital I would rather work nights then days, don't have to worry about the doc's, passing trays, a whole lot of discharging and admitting. I'm able to take care of my patients and organize my night. Sometimes its a little hectic at the beginning of the shift but usually after midnight everything begins to run smoothly.

I usually go straight home to bed, sleep to 4 or 5. My room is totally dark, went to Wal-mart and bought the darkening curtains. My oldest child (11)keeps an eye on his younger sister (7) if its just the three of us there during the day, but they know to come get me if something goes wrong, but mostly they let me sleep. They play their video games or watch cartoons until I get up. They are not allowed to go outside if I'm asleep and dads at work.

Don't take anything to get to sleep, I'm afraid if something did happen I would sleep through it.

I like to stay up late on the days I'm off and sleep late in the mornings. But my husband doesn't like me staying up and doesn't understand why I want to sleep until 11. Since it is summer now my son has gotten into the habit of doing the same thing. Its just bad when I have to get my daughter up (summer school) at 6 then I go back to bed at 8 after she's on the school bus. But I usually fall right back to sleep. I'm just not a morning person. I function better after I'm awake for a couple of hours, but really don't get into gear until the evening.

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2006

Hi

I've worked nites ( 2300-0730) for about 30 yrs.

I work full time--80 hrs.

For about 10 yrs. I worked part-time Home Health after getting off duty from the hospital. During these years I slept from about 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM. That worked well for me. I no longer do the Home Health, but I contunue with that sleeping pattern. My DH is retired now, so we get to spend the days together. I do all my errands on the way fropm work and try to get most appts. very early.

I love this sleeping pattern---I get up and consider it "my morning". Then when I get home in t he AM, I consider that "my evening".

My DH has fixed a black shade up in o ur bedroom & it is totally dark for me.

Also, he does not wake me for anything. If there are calls, he takes a message but SELDOM disturbs me.

He tapes many of my TV programs that I "can't live without", and then we watch them when I'm home. It works well for us.

Mary Ann

RN NascarFan, RN · Jun 22, 2006

Hi! I have just recently started an ICU position as a new grad. It was a 24 week program and I think it really helped me feel more comfortable.
My question is.......How do new nurses adjust to working nights...especially if you have never done it before? Do you sleep for shorter periods of time? When do you run your errands?

First of all, congrats on your position, I hope all is going well :yeah:

I have always been a night person so working 7P-7A has been a great shift for me.

My best friend, on days I have to sleep all day, are a good pair of earplugs. We have 5 teens still living at home and with the plugs, even when all are home, I can sleep without a problem.

I tried a white noise machine for a time, the eye masks to block out light; neither did a lot for me.

The ear plugs and cool air are all I need to get a good 6-8 hours sleep.

If I am starting a 3 day stretch, I will take Benadryl the first afternoon, if I am having any trouble falling asleep. I need 2-4 hours on that first day. Second and third day, I usually am awake for an hour to an hour and a half before I fall asleep for the day.

I do NOT have a phone near me, the kids know that unless it is an emergency I am not to be woke for anything and they respect that.

Oh, no coffee after 6A :no:

kenesha212002 · Jun 28, 2006

I had my first night last night and it was not bad. The problem came when I got home amd tried to sleep. I kept waking up every other hour and now that I am up at 5pm my body feels achy. I have to be to work in 2 hours and I just hope that I can make it through.

I really hope that this will pass and that this is just my body adjusting to being on days since February.

dorimar, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2006

i'm glad i read this post. I have worked nights steady now for about 15 years. I never had trouble sleeping int the daytime untill aobut 5 years ago now. I forgot about melatonin!!! I will be trying that again. I am the oppossite of most of these posters. I usually have tons of energy at work and am usually too busy to feel sleepy. But, when i leave, I have NO energy and find myslef having trouble staying awake on the drive home (unless I had a very bad or interesting night that i can't get my mind off of). I go to sleep when i get home & fall asleep immeidatley, but now days I ususlly wake in 3-5 hours, and am lucky if I can fall back to sleep. I do ok. I usually do 3 12's in a row, and my last night, i will sleep in the day then get up for the evening and go to bed that night @around 10pm and sleep for 12 hours solid, and I'm right as rain on a day schedule again untill I go back to work for my next stretch. They say you cannot catch up on sleep, but i seem to do it every week. I'm sure it is aging me though.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2006

Those of you that have trouble staying asleep, I urge you to get some melatonin. All it takes it a 1 mg tablet right before you go to bed. I used to have the hardest time STAYING asleep. I never had much trouble falling asleep ..... but after a couple of hours I'd wake up and wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. It's amazing how much the melatonin helps to keep me asleep. If I take that, I go to bed at like 9-10 am, then wake up at 4-5 pm. I hardly ever wake up during the day anymore.

cmskjg · Jun 29, 2006

I will be starting night 7/16 and I"m a bit nervous. Never done it before. Alot of posts mention melatonin. Can this be bought at a drug store? I never had to think of looking before and thought that I would check here first. I'm not sure if it is better to schedule 3 nights in a row, or to space them out. Any suggestions?

manna, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2006

My schedule stinks - work 3, off 2, work 2, off 2. I feel like I never have enough days off in a row to switch back to a "normal" schedule and that I'm missing out on time with my kids. Even on my days off, they're at daycare and I'm home sleeping. Pick them up, feed them dinner, give baths, put them to bed... then I'm up all night alone. I hate night shift. My best friend claims it takes years off your life, and I'm beginning to believe her!

I love my job, the people I work with, the work I do... just hate nights (I work 7p 12s).

Sorry about that... :)

I have three kids and work nights. I have found that most of us night shift moms with small kids try to catch up on sleep on our days off. I know that I can't do three nights in a row. I do two in a row then another during the week. My smallest is 22 months, so it is difficult. I try to sleep as much as possible the night before and try to take a nap before work. Coffee is what keeps me going. Bottom line I go without sleep more than I should, but sleep when I can. As you do more nights you will find what works best for you. Congrats on your new job!

smile123 · Jun 30, 2006

I will be starting night 7/16 and I"m a bit nervous. Never done it before. Alot of posts mention melatonin. Can this be bought at a drug store? I never had to think of looking before and thought that I would check here first. I'm not sure if it is better to schedule 3 nights in a row, or to space them out. Any suggestions?

Yes, you can buy melatonin in any local drug store. It's probably in a vitamin or herb supplement section. People also use melatonin when they fly coast to coast or on international travel. From what I've heard talking to some nurses, it's good to do 2 nights in a row, but not 3. It will give your body and your brain time to adjust as a new nurse. Good luck.