night shift woes

PeachyOrthoRN, RN · Jul 13, 2005

Noc shift is not an easy shift to work. Although I have worked it now for 4 years I still find that there are nights that I have to fight to keep awake. This works though for my husband and I. I don't have any kids yet, but I will continue on nights when we do have kids because it will continue to work. My dh and I are very happy. There are times that I miss spending time with him but we get to make it up when we are together. I had a hard time at the beginning as well but I was able to settle into it. I also have a hard time with my brain being fried in the morning...that's what coworkers are for. Ask lots of questions. As for as being too tired to drive I used to have a 30 minute drive home and I used to talk to my then fiance the whole way home. It was my way of staying awake. I don't know if this helps, but I hope it does.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2005

One question...you mentioned that you have small children and that you didn't want them in daycare for long hours. Then you said that all you think about when you're at home is when you'll get to sleep next.

Please tell me that you have the house to yourself for at least four hours a day between night shifts to sleep. Maybe you do, I don't know, but I have seen way too many nurses try to work night shifts back to back to back, and the whole time are running after toddlers all day long at home when they should be sleeping. Then they're falling asleep at work and making stupid mistakes because they're exhausted. It's actually very common. Some of the moms put their kids in daycare for at least a few hours a day, so they can come home and sleep for a few hours, uniterrupted. They are able to handle nights MUCH better.

Please do not treat night shift like a magical solution for childcare. You cannot work all night and then be up all day with the kids, then work all night again. That's at least the way your post came off to me. I apologize if this is not the case.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 13, 2005

One question...you mentioned that you have small children and that you didn't want them in daycare for long hours. Then you said that all you think about when you're at home is when you'll get to sleep next.
Please tell me that you have the house to yourself for at least four hours a day between night shifts to sleep. Maybe you do, I don't know, but I have seen way too many nurses try to work night shifts back to back to back, and the whole time are running after toddlers all day long at home when they should be sleeping. Then they're falling asleep at work and making stupid mistakes because they're exhausted. It's actually very common. Some of the moms put their kids in daycare for at least a few hours a day, so they can come home and sleep for a few hours, uniterrupted. They are able to handle nights MUCH better.
Please do not treat night shift like a magical solution for childcare. You cannot work all night and then be up all day with the kids, then work all night again. That's at least the way your post came off to me. I apologize if this is not the case.

I agree. You could maybe try getting a babysitter for those few hours so you can sleep or have a relative/friend watch them (if daycare is too far).

Wish you the best of luck :)

BandEmom · Jul 13, 2005

Forgot to mention, i do have daycare on the weekdays. My wonderful husband has them out of the house and at the sitter's before I get there. i pick them up when I wake up. The problem is how much trouble i'm having getting to sleep in the morning. Part of that is anxiety and not being able to shut up my mind from saying "what did I forget? did I give all my meds? Oh no, I forgot to give some food with that pill...I promised that guy I'd bring him something...etc" (I'm a new grad with 2 weeks of orientation left)

on the weekends, I feel so tempted to sleep less and see everyone, so it's even harder to sleep then. Today I am getting blackout shades and a mask. I have to work tonight, I hope these things work. i have an 8' window in my bedroom and it's very hard to cover.

Thanks for your tips

Lisa

casi, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2005

I am nightshifter and I think it's a common problem to be riled up right after work. One thing I have found if that a small dose of a sleep aid, to just take the edge off of the anxiety really helps. Otherwise just figure in an hour or two after work for relaxation time.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2005

Forgot to mention, i do have daycare on the weekdays. My wonderful husband has them out of the house and at the sitter's before I get there. i pick them up when I wake up. The problem is how much trouble i'm having getting to sleep in the morning. Part of that is anxiety and not being able to shut up my mind from saying "what did I forget? did I give all my meds? Oh no, I forgot to give some food with that pill...I promised that guy I'd bring him something...etc" (I'm a new grad with 2 weeks of orientation left)
on the weekends, I feel so tempted to sleep less and see everyone, so it's even harder to sleep then. Today I am getting blackout shades and a mask. I have to work tonight, I hope these things work. i have an 8' window in my bedroom and it's very hard to cover.
Thanks for your tips
Lisa

Yeah, it's completely normal to feel that way as a new grad - even after working in the field for years many nurses (myself included) have trouble chilling out after work. What works really well is making a bedtime routine, like you might have with your kids. Whether it's spending an hour on the computer, reading, watching TV - just do whatever it is that you love and don't always have time for, almost like making it a fun treat for yourself. Baths are really great too - not only do you get clean after work, but also the temperature drop you experience after sitting in hot water then cooling down rapidly when you get out, is supposed to induce sleep.

I personally check my email and stuff, then lay down in bed to watch TV. It's just a mindless thing that keeps my head clear. As soon as I feel the first pang of sleepiness, I turn off the TV and roll over, away from it. I swear, this little routine almost tricks my mind into falling asleep instantly. It's when you lay there in the quiet, trying to fall asleep, that your mind will race. So by reading or watching TV, you're preoccupied and your mind is on something other than work.

I got a really good sleep mask from either the Sharper Image or Brookstone, I forget which. It's made of that Tempur-pedic foam, so it forms around the edges of the face and is really comfortable. That helped me more than room-darkening blinds, because I like to sleep with the windows open most of the time anyways.

Good luck!

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2005

The key to night shift is a regular sleep schedule, be it going home and going right to bed or going to bed a few hours later. You have to sleep, how much varies from person to person . Personally I go to bed as soon as I get home or no longer than a hour after. I can get by on 5 hrs sleep when working 3-12's in a row. The key is after the 3rd sleeping less and then getting a good nights sleep- if possible.

As far as not wanting the kids in day care for long hours there is always the use of the hospitals day care. Not working at such hospital maybe its time to find one. Some go so far as allow the working parent to stop in and spend lunch and break times with their kids. It gives you piece of mind and gives the children the sense that mom or dad is close by.

Rj

Altra, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2005

One other thing I noticed -- you're working those 3 12s on consecutive days. You said that your noc shift has been very short staffed - I'm thinking that you could probably switch your days around so that maybe you're only doing 2 consecutive days, not 3. Is there a reason you need to pull 3 12s in a row? It could make a difference for you.

Hope it gets better! :)

DidiRN · Jul 13, 2005

My sentiments exactly...I have done nights for years, but I cannot STAND doing 3 12's in a row, really kicks my b*tt. I do two, then take one night off, then do the 3rd shift for the week. Alot of my fellow night shifters don't understand why that one night off is helpful to me, but it really is. Everyone is different.

One other thing I noticed -- you're working those 3 12s on consecutive days. You said that your noc shift has been very short staffed - I'm thinking that you could probably switch your days around so that maybe you're only doing 2 consecutive days, not 3. Is there a reason you need to pull 3 12s in a row? It could make a difference for you.
Hope it gets better! :)

ftr_bb_catchr · Jul 13, 2005

Solution for the 8' window....

My friend who works the nocs, and has for years, put up black garbage bags (leaf and lawn type on the window) then put up a curtain over it to hide the black plastic. Not pretty.. but it keeps the sun OUT!

Blackcat99 · Jul 14, 2005

The only way I can work nights is to take a benadryl 25mg to help me to sleep when I get home. An hour before I report to my night shift I have to take a Stay awake caffeine pill 200 mg in order to survive. I love night shift and this is what works best for me. Best of luck to you. :)