NIGHT SHIFT - advice to new grads going to work 3 12s a week

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Hello!

I hope this question is on other new RN's minds as well...especially if they've been hired on for 3 12 hour shifts a week.

My shift at the hospital is going to be 7p-7:30a. I also have a daughter who is home from school this summer, and I will be taking her to school, picking her up after once school starts.

So....how do you night shifters do it?

How do you work your days? Do you sleep as soon as you get off work - and how much sleep do you get by with? Do you nap before you head off to work? Yes, I am worried about getting enough sleep, and also exercise.... I'm the kind of person who has to eat during work, so I know I will be eating small meals throughout...and probably not eat as much during the day. Any tips, advice, your best practices, etc are welcome. I'm looking forward to it all, but also want to make sure I've thought out how my schedule is going to be now that I will work nights.

Thanks in advance!!

Bea

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Hello!

I hope this question is on other new RN's minds as well...especially if they've been hired on for 3 12 hour shifts a week.

My shift at the hospital is going to be 7p-7:30a. I also have a daughter who is home from school this summer, and I will be taking her to school, picking her up after once school starts.

So....how do you night shifters do it?

How do you work your days? Do you sleep as soon as you get off work - and how much sleep do you get by with? Do you nap before you head off to work? Yes, I am worried about getting enough sleep, and also exercise.... I'm the kind of person who has to eat during work, so I know I will be eating small meals throughout...and probably not eat as much during the day. Any tips, advice, your best practices, etc are welcome. I'm looking forward to it all, but also want to make sure I've thought out how my schedule is going to be now that I will work nights.

Thanks in advance!!

Bea

sorry i work evenings.....but here is a link to allnurses that i feel will be helpful.

all the best!!!!

https://allnurses.com/forums/f224/top-five-tips-night-shift-new-nurse-200924.html

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Hello -

I have been working this schedule for about a month now. I find it difficult to sleep when I get home. I started getting about 2-3 hours of sleep on the mornings that I would come home from work. Now it is more like 4-5 hours. I have two kids home from school too right now, but they are old enough to be quiet when I sleep. (8 and 13) They do a great job. I was really worried about it.

I do at least try to nap the day before to just get through the overnight hours. I have been managing okay, but I find that I am becoming more of an evening person than a morning person.

I also prefer to work the night shift as it seems less hectic, even though I can have 7-8 patients at one time, some recent post ops.

Good luck to you....

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Specializes in med/surg.

I work 4 8 hour shifts a week, but this is my schedule... My dh works pms, so I come home, take ds to summer school & hop into bed right after I get back, usually between 0800-8030, sleep until 1200, when dh drops off ds from school, I stay up until 1800, then I drop ds off at the neighbors & lay back down until 2000, I get up exercise & get ready for work, my shift starts at 2245. I usually don't eat before I lay down in the morning, I eat breakfast around noon, supper with my ds around 1700 & then I pack a lunch to eat at work. I just started exercising about a month & half ago, I was suffering increased stress & I sure can stand to loss some weight, plus I was exhausted all the time. I've only been a night shifter going on 6months... I'm a newbie myself... I found the exercising has increased my stamina, I feel little stress, I'm not always tired & I have managed to drop 11 pounds. I also don't drink anything but water all night at work... which allows me to drop right off when I get home.

I do have a coworker who works 5 8s, she cannot do what I do & so her 2 children go to daycare during the summer & afterschool programs during the school year, so that may be an option for you. Just realize that most 3rd shifters no matter how they try, never get as much sleep as someone on days or pms. And it is rarely concurrent.

One thing here, I'm one of those people who have no difficulty sleeping anytime, anywhere & can drop off into sleep quickly.... probably helps I only average 6 hours or less a day of sleep, but I was that way before 3rd shift. I do, however, tend to waste my first day off, I'm too lazy & nonproductive. It's definitely doable...but again I don't work 12s & everyone is different. Good luck I'm sure you'll find a way to make it work for you.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I work 36 hrs a week...and usually NEVER 3 in a row, if I can help it..

I usually have to unwind on computer or TV or music for 1-1.5 hrs after work...sleep for 6-7 hours, get up, shower, eat something, veg for an hour or go run errands, and go to work...such is life..but I usually end up losing the first day after a strech to sleep and do housework...such is life..

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I have been working nights 3(12's) for the last three years of nursing school as a CNA. Now as A nurse I get to switch to day shift and can't be happier. For me when not in school obviously I would go to bed as soon as I get home(sometimes unwind for like an hour or so with computer or tv but most time not). Sometimes I can sleep the whole time like a regular night (7hrs) and sometimes my body just won't let me. When motivated I like to get up early enough to work out, shower and eat before work. When I work 3 nights in a row the last day I am so tired I just sleep from the time i get home until the last minute. The hard part for me is the last day when I get home I don't want to sleep all day because I want to get back on a day schedule like the rest of the world so i can spend time with my family/friends and run errands. I always say that I am only going to lay down for a quick nap but usually end up sleeping most of the day because I am so exhusted.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Research, Care Coordination.

I just started a new job working 3 12's on night shift too. I've only been working for 2 weeks, but I love it. On my unit, the day is super busy with PT/OT, family, docs, etc (I did some of my orientation on days). I recommend working the three nights in a row because with night shift you lose at least half of the day after your last shift. Plus when you're done, you're done til the next week. I think it would really drag the week out if you split the nights. When I get off, I come home, chop it up with a few folks, make any phone calls I may need to make, but I make sure to go to bed by 10am (I work 7p-7:30a). I wake up around 4:30p,5-ish to eat,shower, and whatever else. I drink SOME coffee, not alot and I usually don't drink it until 10p. I don't usually need another kick until 4 am so then I take a tiny sip of "5 hour energy" (you can find it at 7-11 and Wawa's if you have them). That gives me enough to finish up and get home without being too awake. It also helps that I get a nice shift diff as well. Good luck on nights, you are not alone!:smilecoffeeIlovecof:cheers:

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Working 3 12's is on my mind as well - there's a good chance I may get offered a job doing this shortly...

does anyone out there do this that has small kids? And the job is a little over an hour away from home? I have 2 school-age and 1 4 yo; I don't know if I'll be able to take this job or not, and the pickings sure are slim up here as far as jobs go for new grads. I'm feeling pretty desperate and am very frustrated. I was hoping to find an evening shift job, but this may be the only offer I get.

Help, anyone?

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I am about to start working 3 12 soon .Before nursing school I also a night job 14 hrs night 5 days a week.I found I would fall asleep around 10 and then wake up around 7.Regular exersise,limited caffiene and turnig off phones when sleeping are the best advice I could give.

Goodluck

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Hey! I just started working nights last week and so far I love it. I'm a new grad living with a new fiancee, but I am childless (lol) so I can't exactly relate to your situation. I am currently working 3-12's.

Before I started my first night shift I went to bed at 2AM and woke up at 8AM, so I was really tired. Then I went to the gym to wear myself out. I took a nap from about 1:30PM til 5:00 PM then I got up and got ready for work. I didn't get tired AT ALL. It worked like a charm. When I got home I had to prepare for another shift that night, so I went to sleep at 9AM and woke up around 2PM, took a 30 minute cat nap before my shift and I felt refreshed during the entire 12 hours.

I personally love night shift so far because I feel like I can have a life outside of work. When I did days during my nurse externship...I didn't have time for anything, and I was always ready to get in the bed by 9PM...even on my days off! I also don't have to deal with doctors and the hectic nature of day shift. I hope you love the night shift just as much as I do, and good luck with everything.

Kim

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