Night shift blues

Nurses General Nursing

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Okay so, I'm a new nurse that just started working about three months ago. I was hired for a night position in the unit that I want to be in. My problem is that I don't think I can handle working night shifts. While I'm working I am able to stay up without a problem, however when I get home I'm wide awake but I know I need to sleep to go back to work that same night. It takes me about three hours just to fall asleep. Then when I wake up I find my self scrambling to prepare a meal and get my self up and showered for work. It makes me sort of depressed. I feel rushed, I feel like I can't do anything with my day. It also sucks because I live in the northern NJ/metro NYC area and commute in this area as well which takes away time for relaxation due to traffic. And this goes for both ways, coming and going to work. I also do not have a driveway and I live in a city so it takes me up to 30 mins to find a parking spot sometimes when I'm home. These little things take away time from my sleep and sometimes I just sleep from 10a to 4p. I sent a letter requesting a day position if one becomes available, but it also sucks because I enjoy working with the night shift more than the day shift and of course the differential makes a difference as well. Idk what I'm trying to get at here but does anyone get where I'm coming from? Advice?

Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

please don't take this as sounding harsh, but I would've LOVED to

... "sleep from 10a to 4p"

I've done nights from, before starting nursing school and now (15 years later), I still feel more productive at night. It sort of ingrains upon your brain/body. If you would do dayshift, what hours would you sleep? Maybe midnite til 5A? 5 hours. You're getting more than that now...

Sorry, that doesn't help, just I sort of envy you being able to sleep that; typically, I would be able to sleep 30 minutes at a time, unbroken, between 1P and 330. Other times, would go from 3-5 nites/days with no sleep... just happens sometimes.

Like PP, I would go to store, post office/errand run in the morning, because I had to completely exhaust myself to sleep most days. And, if you are working 12's, I imagine you have quite a few extra days off during week/weekend/whatever you call it. But, are you able to sleep in the 'nite shift hours' during these days off? Pattern is so vital.

And, I even now benefit from the simple noise of a fan on beside me. Noise machine? ocean sounds are always relaxing. I always loved the drive home to decompress & help me relax. Maybe an extra few miles on the highway would do you good (IF it relaxes you, I know others who abhor driving) Yoga/stretching, a nice warm soothing shower. I always slept better showering right before bedtime (whether nights or days). And someone had mentioned crock-potting/dishing out leftovers for dinner, or preparing absolutely everything you can in the AM, before sleeping. I used to lay out my uniforms for the week some days. (dorky, I know) but it kills a bit of time, makes the evening hours a tad bit easier. Pack your work bag with worksheets/resource materials/scope. On the rare sick days, I always like scary movies/Jaws what not. Maybe watch old re-runs of your favorites?

Somewhat cliché, but comfort foods. Some say you shouldn't eat within X hours before bed. I could never sleep on an empty stomach.

(I shouldn't admit it, but I always loved mcGriddles from mcdonalds) :yes:

and, as an absolute last resort, a sleeping pill? (Ativan/klonipin extremely effective with Tylenol).

Shiftwork is definitely an acquired thing, adapting your/families/SO's lives to it. Most definitely not for everyone. Hopefully, once you 'put in your time' you can transfer to days.

Sometimes I take a hot bubble bath with a glass of wine. Ahhhh relaxing!:)

If I did wine I'd do a chilled white. But beer bottles are sturdier, so there's less of a chance of them breaking and cutting you up. Beer cans are probably the best in terms of safety. But to each his own for sure, as long as alcohol is involved it's all good :)

Specializes in Hospice.
If I did wine I'd do a chilled white. But beer bottles are sturdier, so there's less of a chance of them breaking and cutting you up. Beer cans are probably the best in terms of safety. But to each his own for sure, as long as alcohol is involved it's all good :)

For safety purposes next time I'll chug it out of the bottle.:angrybird9:

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