night shift

I get off of work at 7:30, I try to get home and in bed by 8, then I get up at 2-2:30. On my days off I try to go to bed by 12-1, and I get up around 10-11. It works for me most of the time.

I am not really a night person but I am waiting for a day shift position to open up. I get off at 7:30 as well, but dont hit the pillows until 9:30 or 10 and wake up between 3-4p. I have tried to sleep longer but I feel like I am "missing out on what's going on". Some people like to cluster all 3 nights in a row, but I like 2 at a time. I have been offered caffeine pills to take while on shift and told to take Benedryl so I can sleep days but I dont want to go there. I am not sure if your 5 weeks of night shift will be enough to find what works for you or not. Hopefully you will find what pattern of work and sleep will work for you.

I am also a nurse intern (not for long,waiting to take my boards on June 22nd, yeh!) and I will be working 3-12's overnight as an RN. I too just started doing night shifts a couple of weeks ago. So far I hit the bed right away at 8 and when I have to work the next day I sleep as long as possible which seems to be only until 2-3 pm. On my day off the next day I sleep until only 12 or 1 and I can fall asleep at night regular time (10 or 11). I actually feel as though I can work out right away at 8 am from coming home but I have not tried that yet. I do work out on my days off after I am up for some time around 4pm.

I think it is what works for you and you just have to figure it out on your own.

hi,

i'm a nurse intern this summer & for 5 wks will be on night shift for 3-12s. i was wondering how you all work out your sleep schedule? i'm really sensitive to sleeping patterns! thanks!

I work 3-12s. I find it best to stay up an hour or two when I get home to unwind then go to sleep. I don't always do that, depending on how I feel.

One thing I have found is not to worry about not being able to sleep well some days. Not all people working days and sleeping nights sleep well, so why should we? Our bodies will make it up.

A real dark cool place is a nice place to sleep. Good music or white noise is nice as well.

I have used sleep aids such as benadryl.

We are allowed to sleep during our 12 hours during our break. Thats a pretty nice benefit.

I have worked nights for 13 years, mostly 12 hr shifts. I usually don't even get off of work until 8 or 9. When I get home, I immediately pop a couple of Benadryl and then I unwind for an hour or so. I use ear plugs and an eye mask faithfully. Hopefully, I can sleep until 5. Most of the time, I am up and down all day, letting dogs out and dealing with teenagers. I skip the Benadryl if I don't have to work again that night. Needless to say, I have learned to live (and work) without lots of sleep!

I have been working nights for a few years now and it seems to work pretty good for me. I get home about 0830 and head right to be, usually watch some tv and fall asleep. I wake up between 12-2 and then I have to pick up my son from school. If I am not working the next night I can easily go back to sleep at a regular time (10-11). Sleep really isnt a problem for me. I can function well with what I get.

thanks for your insight everyone!