Night Shift worries!!

[Erica1019]

Hi everyone. I will shortly be starting my first position as an RN. I was hired for 40 hr. nights, however, Ive never done a consistent night shift before. I don't have kids, or a husband or any other commitment that this may effect, but Im nervous about changing my sleeping pattern. Ive gotten blinds for my room....but other than that I dont know what more to do! Are any of you in a similar situation, or have you been in a similar situation and managed to adjust your sched?? I should probably be more nervous about my first nursing job, but Im not, this is whats really making me nervous. Any suggestions will be appreciated!!

Erica

[jem1013]

Be sure to tell any friends and family what hours you are going to be sleeping and not to call or drop by during that time. I only work nights when I want extra time and if I forget to call my mother to tell her it almost never fails that that will be the day she decides to call and "check-in"!

[Ljt823]

I have worked nights for 2yrs on a busy peds transplant floor. I wouldn't say I like nights, but have learned to work with my schedule. I like to schedule 3-4 days in a row (12hrs), so I can go back to being a day person on my days off. I would recommend trying only 2 nights in a row to start. Light blocking shades (approx $35 each) made an enormous difference in my ability to sleep. As mentioned in most previous posts, make sure your phone is off. I find that when I sleep at night, I am able to fall back asleep after minor distractions. During my "day sleep" any distraction will keep me up the rest of the day. Even if you find that nights is not your preferred schedule, I think it's doable for at least a couple of yrs.

[banditrn]

I like my night shifts! And I have gotten to the point where I don't need shades or anything on my windows - but the 'white noise' thing is a must.

I've not tried the melatonin thing, but years ago when I worked 12's, I took half of a sleeping pill when I worked them in a row. Now I work 8's, so I don't have to be quite so rigid about my sleep time. But I'm usually in bed before 9.

The hospital switched me to days - I tolerated it for 2 months, then asked to go back to nights!

[ICUMish]

Hey everybody,

I've been working nights for 7 months and it had its advantages and disadvatages.

My biggest problems were gaining more fat on my belly as well as being depressed after working two 3-days-in-a-row once. I've never been so depressed in my entire life. Ever since I realized this, I asked my manager to avoid scheduling me 3 nights in a row.