I am a relatively new hospital nurse(7 months in) and have been working nights for 5 months now. I have prior home care experience before starting at the hospital and eventually want to go back to home care. I have been having health issues(high blood pressure, palpitations, and insomnia, colds) that my MD said were from physical exhaustion as lab work was all normal. I am also sick again for the second time in three weeks with another cold(have an autoimmune disease). The MD recommended getting a day position, which is hard for a new nurse.
Would it be best to tough it out for four more months on nights or to start applying to day shifts now? I do love the night shift and my co-workers, but I am tired of feeling constantly sick. We are also on an understaffed unit. There is only a part-time day shift available on this unit, and no other day shifts in the hospital. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
@hppygrateful- I have no kids but practice the same routine on nights off. The only difference is i can't sleep on nights off anymore. At first I had no problem sleeping. Now I'm usually up until 2 or 3am no matter how tired I am.
I stopped doing night shifts because of the physical fallout. I did feel much better when I kept a consistent schedule. You can still keep a near-consistent schedule and do outdoor activities, you just have to adjust your sleep schedule by an hour or two on your days off.
For example, I worked 7p-7a and slept from 8a-4p and had a couple hours of daylight left. On my days off, I slept from 6a until I woke up (usually 2-3p) and had the better part of the afternoon to do stuff. I don't bike or hike, but I do a lot of outdoor puttering in the yard and walking with my dogs.
If you feel that you absolutely can't do that, then I guess you'll have to get a different job. I did.
Factor in that you're working in a HOSPITAL now too. I used to work nights all the time in a psych hospital when I was in school and had no issues. Now... I'm sick all the darned time, so are my new-hire peers. In my 7-8 months of work I've had 2 flu strains, a nasty gastroenteritis that put me out for a week, my gallbladder went on hiatus for 10 days, my nose has been running for 6 of those months, strep throat, you name it. I'm sure night shifts are a big factor in your being sick... but being new to working in a hospital (read: nasty funk germs everywhere 24/7) probably is too.
@oh'ello- You're probably right about the constant germs. I'm obsessive with hand washing at work, PPE, and using the alcohol. I also have an autoimmune disease why probably isn't good either when being around germs 24/7. I've been sick twice in the last
three weeks and have stomach issues as well from nights. Are you still on nights or are you on days now?
to the OP: can you talk with your manager/supervisor with these concerns? I would say to them something to the effect of "I feel like i'm learning a lot and am enjoying my position as XXXXXX but being on night shift is something that I my health and I are struggling with. Is moving to days a possibility in the near future?"
It doesn't hurt to ask! May not happen anyway but you'll never know unless you ask
@want2beanursesoon- my manage knows nights has been affecting my health. There is only a part time day shift opening up on the unit soon. After last night I know I need to go ondays(b/p was 150/95) and I was in charge, with another new nurse and a student. Am going to start looking around for my day jobs and continue working nights in the meantime.
I think before you give up night shift you need to invest in some blackout curtains, a mask, earplugs and a vibrating alarm clock if your worried all that will keep you from hearing it. I think you need to try to get some good rest in between working nights, make your sleep environment as cozy as possible. Nice sheets, the right temp., lavender lotion, warm bath first etc. No caffeine after 1am etc.
You said that there was a part time day position available right? Can you take that position until a full time comes available and then just pick up extra shifts? Might be an alternative to the nights.
I can relate to all your concerns about nights. I've tried to do it but can't. I thought I could force myself but my mind/body said different. Have you considered PM's? My advice: Get a day or pm position as soon as you can.
Nursecookie9
9 Posts
Unfortunately there are no day positions on my floor in the whole hospital. Am looking to get back into home health and will be applying next week.