Night Shift 1 hr commute: tips to arrive home alive

athflying · Jun 22, 2011

If you figure it out let me know. I only drive 20 minutes and it's a struggle for me. I ride a motorcycle to keep me awake.

Tait, MSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

That is tough. I had trouble some days with my 15 minute commute when I was on nights. If you have had issues with wakefulness in the past I would really weighs the pros and cons of the pay vs your safety. What does your husband think?

Without caffeinated overkill I am not sure what to tell you.

Be safe!

babblingbrook · Jun 22, 2011

I know money isn't everything, but...it would mean my salary would increase by 1/3 (about $30,000). Plus, in the future I could move to days.

LegzRN · Jun 22, 2011

I work night shift and have an 1.5 hour commute home... on the Philadelphia Turnpike... if you've ever driven on the Schuylkill you know what I'm talking about

Kunzieo · Jun 22, 2011

Ugh- I never had to drive quite that far- but I had a 45 minute commute when working nights. There were some mornings where I would fall asleep at stoplights. That would usually scare me sufficiently to stay awake the rest of the drive home

My tips:

Be uncomfortable-

Minimal heat in the winter. Sit on a handful of legos. Pull your seatbelt too tight. Pinch yourself, or wear a band and snap yourself every so often.

Eat a sucker like a Tootsie or Blo Pop.

Make a playlist or CD of your favorite songs and SING at the top of your lungs. (this is what worked best for me when all else failed!)

Good luck, and be safe

ICUnurse1985 · Jun 22, 2011

I worked part time at a teaching hospital, which was a 45 minute drive years ago, night shift. I also struggled to stay awake driving home in the summer months, using the tricks you described and was also unsuccessful. Too many mornings I found myself crossing the yellow line, involuntarily falling asleep at the wheel for a few moments. It is a true miracle I didn"t kill myself or someone else. There were some problems on the job but the drive was the most compelling reason I had to quit that position. I have friends who drive an hour one way, who work night shift with me and they do fine. I think some people are able to stay awake and alert better than others. Your life is more valuable than any job. You may have to consider accepting a position much closer to your home. I am sorry you lost your friend. Maybe, that also is a signal that you should not accept a position, so far away, before you get hurt. Your family needs you, you are irreplaceable to them and no job is worth that risk. My only other idea is to work your shifts in a row and stay in a motel or with a friend/family member on your stretch. This would be cost prohibitive for most people and not very practical, especially since you have a family which needs you. I wish you success in your job search. Please be safe for your sake and the sake of others.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

I am about to be in similar situation. Starting night shifts and 45 minute commute. I did night shift for sr. Practicum but it was 7 minutes away and usually had second wind end of shift.

I have though gone on many road trips and prefer to do them at night while kids sleep. Crack the window even in the winter and sing with the radio up. If you at all notice you are closing your eyes PULL OVER if you have to. One road trip I had no sleep prior and I was alone, I knew I was to tired so I pulled over at a rest area and slept 45 mins, it was all I needed to get me to my stopping point.

I should add I am also naturally a night person since I was a little kid.

My husband used to have to commute to Seattle. It was an HR commute. He told me that a few times he woke up at the wheel from the bumps on road. One of the scariest things he ever told me. I never knew until after that job.

Very sorry about your friend.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

Just put everything in your favor. Sleeping late on your first night is not an option. Sleep as late as you can. Drop a Red Bull at 0500, depending on your metabolism. Think of this exercise as escaping a fire, or a rapist. It's not a joke. Sleep all day after your first shift, at least 4pm. Even if you wake up, do not get up. Blackout curtains, ear plugs, fan or radio on white noise are a must! Turn off the phone, get your spouse on board, and treat this as a necessary life event until it is not. Best of luck.

rn/writer, RN · Jun 22, 2011

Get in your car. Set an alarm on your phone or watch. And take a 15-20 minute catnap. You might be amazed at how such a little bit of sleep can refresh you enough to get you home safely.

In addition to listening to loud music, you can also get audio books--language lessons in which you have to participate, suspense stories that keep you involved, humor--anything that provides ongoing stimulation.

Another possibility is to get one of the low cal energy drinks (I like 5-hour the best) and drink it about four hours before the end of the shift. This shouldn't rev you up so much that you have trouble sleeping once you get home, but it should clear your head enough to make it there. Oh, and stay away from simple carbs toward the end of your shift.

If you can, vary your route just enough that you have to pay attention. It's the monotony that's so dangerous.

My dh and I have worked third shift for many years. We can sometimes carpool and that really helps, but there are days when we have to make that long haul home in the AM (about 45 min) alone and we skip around these and other strategies.

Hope you can find a way to make it work.

babblingbrook · Jun 22, 2011

Just to clarify...about 95% of drive is on the same interstate, so can't vary route too stimulate my brain as there's no other way to get home. I wasn't a coffee drinker on the previous night shift job. Might have to try it again and get over the taste!haha

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

I can't drink coffee. Can't stand the taste. I can do the 5 HR energy shots.