I have been working the Night Shift in a LTC for about one month, as a Charge Nurse. I'm having a hard time with sleeping during the day. I have my room dark, I have the fan on, etc. (My children are grown, my husband is supportive of my work, so that isn't the problem.) I can only sleep until 12:30 and then I'm wide awake.
Someone suggested that if you work nights, to keep the same sleep and awake schedule on your days off, as you do when you are working. It's suppose to be easier to adjust to working nights and sleeping days. I tend to only sleep a few hours on my first day off, so I can sleep that night. For those who do stay on schedule, how do you handle staying up while the world sleeps on your days off? What kinds of things do you do, while your family sleeps? What are your ideas to make this time, productive, enjoyable, less lonely, etc? How can staying awake at night be more fun or inviting? This sleepy nurse loves her job, so I want to adjust to nights. Please help.
