Night shift question

Nurses General Nursing

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I've done a search on this topic but can't seem to find an answer to the question I have....

I start a 5-week senior preceptorship this week -- 12 hour nights. For those of you who work 12s three nights a week, do you sleep at night the other four nights? Or do you maintain the schedule and stay up all night and sleep days when you are off?

Or...does it just depend on if you are doing three shifts in a row vs. whether they are scattered throughout the week?

Thanks!!

PJ (the early bird who must morph into a night owl)

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Specializes in NICU, L&D, OB, Home Health, Management.

PJMommy,

I've been doing nights for over 15 years, so . . .

I try to sleep nights if I have more than 1 day off (if I work back to backs or only have 1 off I stay on a sleep days/awake nights schedule).

That said, I find it hard to sleep a night, but so do my mom (age 69), my brother (44) and at least 1 of my sons (22), so I'm not sure how much is being a night worker and how much is genetic.

It is important that you do get your sleep - dark, quiet room is a must!!

Good luck.

Linda:zzzzz

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When I work nights

I get off a 0630 get home have a nap til around 1000 get up and go back to sleep from 1500 - 2100

If I have only 1 night shift which happens more then I like I just don't sleep until my shift is over then I have a cat nap so I can get back on schedule.

Other's I work with think I'm insane but it works for me

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Specializes in ccu cardiovascular.

i've worked nights for 11 years and only since sept started three twelve hr shifts. I've found especially if i have more than one day off it works best if i stay up all day, cat nap on the sofa and go to bed early after dinner. I'm usually zonked by 7pm. I just try to stay busy all day with cleaning, wash ect til the kids come home from school.

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Specializes in Neuro Critical Care.

The easiest thing is to work all three nights in a row. If that isn't possible it depends on how many nights off are between shifts. If it is just one, stay up late and keep the "night shift" schedule.

A dark room is a must and some type of white noise device; I use a fan or humidifier. After 2 years I have it down to a science. You will figure out what works best for you pretty quickly.

I used to be a early morning person, but now I think the middle of the night is the most awesome time of the day. There is something cool about being up when everyone else is sleeping, it is very peaceful. Enjoy your night shift and good luck. :D

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I also work nights...

7p-7a.

On my nights I work 3 consecutive, my 3rd night, I try to stay up the last morning (day) till 6p or 7p, then I hit the sack.

On my nights I go back IN to work, I'm usually asleep by 9a or 10a, and sleep till 5p.

Once you get used to it, it's ok. I can't complain...(wouldn't do me anygood if I did anyway!) LOL!

:zzzzz

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It works best for you if you maintain the same schedule(ie sleeping during the day). If you have a family, obviously that wont work for a plethera of reasons. You are fortunate it is only 5 weeks.

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Specializes in ER.

I do a slightly modified schedule on days of, but never totally shift to a "day schedule".

when I come home after a shift heading into a few days off, I sleep till about 1pm. then I am up for the day till about 3am ....sleep till 10a or 11a.... bed around 3a.

So, days off I sleep 3a-11a

Work days I sleep 8a-3p.

This works great, keeps my body clock fairly regulated.

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