Night Shifters... How do you do it?

[TigerGalLE]

Hey night shifters!! I need your help!

I will be changing from 1st shift to 3rd shift in 2 weeks. How do you do it? I'll be working three 12 hour shifts a week. My unit self schedules, so once I'm off orientation I'll get to have a say in my schedule. I need advice. How do you prepare the day before your shift. Do you nap? Do you stay up late so you can sleep in? How do you get back on a normal schedule on your days off? Any tips on how to eat and when to exercise to stay healthy? This is all new to me! I'm super excited about my new job, but I'm very nervous about working 3rd shift. All I know is 1st shift...

Thanks!

Tiger

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

I just started nights. I work five 8s. I take a several hour nap (on ambien CR) the day of my first shift. I have tin foil, then venetian blinds, then corduroy curtains, over the windows plus a face mask to keep the light out. As disgusting as this sounds, I am peeing in a jar beside the bed so I do not have to go out of the dark bedroom and walk past the living room to get to the bathroom to pee (I have an active bladder), when we finish our new house I will not have to do this because the master bedroom has a bathroom--which will also have tinfoil over the windows. I turn on Law and Order to fall asleep to and put in ear plugs after the first time I have to pee (usually the episode is over by then) So far so good...just worried about the stretch between when my Ambien CR runs out and my benefits kick in.

As much as I stress about if I will sleep or not, the biggest stressor so far has been on my marriage. I literally see my husband for 30 mins while I get ready for work for five days a week. I get home about 0830 long after he has left for work and get up at 2130, at which time he has already fallen asleep on the couch.

[NightOwl0624]

My advice - go in with an open mind!

I love nights! I've only been doing them for 7 months now, so I can't speak for any negative long term effects on my body, but really, I do not have much problem sleeping when I need to!

I don't usually take any drugs; every once in a while I'll take a melatonin, but I haven't done that in a long time. I also don't drink any caffeine.

You have some good suggestions, but you will find what works for you! Good luck! It can be done - and you can even be happy about it!!!

[anniputski]

I'm another one of those who loves working nights... less fuss, less family members to deal with, less activity... MORE money!

Then again, night shifts are not for everyone. And mostly it's how much you sleep during the day that matters. I, for instance, don't have kids and normally sleep around 6 hours in between shifts. Here are some tips on how to sleep better and how to survive nights.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6032587_sleep-during-day-working-nights.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_6032548_survive-working-night-shifts-nurse.html

Give it a chance! I've been working nights for 2 years and wouldn't trade it for anything.

[johnnyDoGood]

how do ppl do it? easily. they've been working night shift for years and they're accustomed. obviously, it takes a long time for your body to adjust a different sleep schedule, and even longer if you are not in good health like obese or suffer sleep apnea. also, i would think quite obviously that someone and their spouse might see less of each other if they're on opposite shifts. that seems quite apparent.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

how do you do it? you just do. not doing it is not an option if you want to work in icu. (at least not for most people.) so far as unhealthy people like those with obesity and sleep apnea -- it's probably no more diffciult and in some respects somewhat easier than when i was young and skinny and untroubled by sleep apnea.