Night Shift & Depression

[Montessori Mommy]

I'm a new RN. I'm working 3 - 12 hour nights each week (7 PM - 7 AM). I love my job on L & D. Wonderful, supportive coworkers, great patients, and amazing physicians & midwives. At work, I feel valued and supported. After a first career in a field I never loved, I know nursing is for me!

The problem: I have a history of depression that has been controlled well with meds for many, many years. Now that I'm working nights, I'm a mess. I'm sleeping far more than I ever have, I'm finding little joy in life, and I cry when I have to leave my husband & kids to go into work. I hate leaving them at home together while I go into work. Since the children are both in school full-time, I could work days without any scheduling difficulites. The only reason I work nights is because new employees are expected to do so.

I'm not sure if working nights is causing my depression to get worse, or if the new schedule is just making me tired. I'm not sure what to do..... Should I approach my nurse manager to ask about a position on days? Should I give it a year to try to adjust myself to working nights? (I prefer the atmosphere of nights - the autonomy of caring for patients with the guidance of the staff midwives, with OBs only coming in for deliveries or emergencies.)

I don't want to compromise my career by asking for a new schedule so soon, but I also don't want to compromise my health....

Thanks in advance!

[lvnandmomx3]

Im sorry you are feeling like this. I it is hard. I have never formally had depression, I did go through emotional tormoil when I was working 12 hr shifts 7a-7p while an admitting rep yrs ago. IMO mine was the fact that everyone was still at home and I was "having" to go to work. My kids were not in school so the night position helped us save money and kids from being in day care 10-12 hrs a day. I can't say if the night shift would be causing your depression to come back, but If I were not happy I would change to a day shift if it is available.

[leslie :-D]

i would update your doctor.

i'm confident s/he would have insight into your situation, and act accordingly.

wishing you only the best.

leslie

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Interestingly enough, I had to take Paxil when I worked nights. After I went to days, I was weaned off because I wasn't depressed any more. I never went back to nights.

[Curious1alwys, BSN, RN]

Do yourself a favor and dump nights!!! Don't just stay with something cuz you feel you have to! Talk to your manager. It is very possible that your depression is worsening d/t various factors..being a stressed new grad with a new job, being seperated from your family, and circadian rhythm issues. There's gotta be a way for you to get days. I think you would be much happier then. But if not.....see your doctor for sure. Best wishes!

[Spatialized]

My depression came back after starting working nights, not to mention the load of life issues prior to me starting in nursing. SO it was kind of a chicken vs. egg scenario. I understand what you mean. I love the night shift, wouldn't trade it for anything. Luckily I responded really well to meds and am doing much better. But it took my doc to see it and get on top of my depression. Go to them, let them know what's going on. If nothing less, you could probably get a medical release saying that you need to work days (had a co-worked on my floor do that). I know you don't want to upset the natural order of things, but for yourself, you need to.

Good luck,

Tom

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

I agree with talking things over with your Doc. I do know that it takes about 3 months to fully acclimate to a night schedule.

Best of luck in your new job.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

It took me almost 18 months to get used to nights.

But even so, I couldn't do it more than I do now, which is weekend option, two nights a week. I do wish you the best.

[NICURNStepharelli]

I seem to be going through the same thing with night shift. I am hired for a day/night rotation with a 6 week rotation.

When I am on night shift, I feel depressed, cry all the time, and have actually had moments in which I have found myself throwing things around my house, and even hitting walls (I think from just sheer exhaustion). When I am at work, I become mean and nasty to people, have issues with keeping my blood sugar up, and become physically ill every night. When I go home after work, I only sleep like 1.5 hours. Then I am up .... all day long ....

I have bought blackout curtains, run a fan, have tried the mask and ear plugs (but they annoy me, and I don't sleep at all). I have tried taking Benadryl, Tylenol PM, Xanax to help with sleep ... none make any difference, just make me feel drugged all day then.

I talked to my nurse manager and all she could offer me was to be put on the waiting list for a day/evening rotation (appox. 1 year), or she offered to help me find another job. I absolutely love my job and don't want to find another job, but over the past 4 weeks, it hasn't gotten any better at all. I feel like I might not have any choice at this point.

Any ideas??

[grace90, LPN, LVN]

i would update your doctor.

i'm confident s/he would have insight into your situation, and act accordingly.

wishing you only the best.

leslie

I agree! I've dealt with major persistant depression for most of my life, and when I started nightshift, it got worse and I nearly lost my job. I'm finally getting treatment for it and dealing with my job and life better, but it sure was a long road to get there.

[leslymill]

I am a night nurse. It is 1am and I am drinking coffee. I don't know how anyone with children can even DO nights. I would be up front and request days. Since you like nights, don't force the issue. I agree to update your doctor also. There will eventually be an opening on the day shift. If you don't have a request on FILE someone new or with less seniority will snatch it up.