nights are killing me!

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hi,

i have been doing nights now as a new grad for about 4weeks. I love the pace at night and have no problem staying awake during my shift or when i go to bed the next day. The problem is i am all ways tired, fuzzy feeling! And i am cranky all the time. I am just not able to get to the gym like i use to either. I sleep at my inlaws away from my young son who would wake me if i sleept at home. I usually go to bed btw 8-9am and get up btw 3-4. But i wake up groogie and could keep sleeping. I even am able to go back to bed that night by 9 and sleep till the next day. But still tired even after all that! any adv or suggestions....i dont think my marriage or my son can handle this sleeepy cranky unhappy mama!

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I think the situation is a tough one, for your family and you.

I take a nap before heading in. Nights are tought.

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, ED.

All I can tell you is that it takes a couple of months to fully get used to nights. Try to rest when you can, it will get better! Melatonin is great to help you sleep well....good luck!

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Waaaaaaah. Suck it up.

Like you're the only one that has trouble with 3rd's/nights.

4-weeks!!! You haven't even given your body time to acclimate.

Give it 4-5 years and move up to days like the rest of us.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, CTICU.
All I can tell you is that it takes a couple of months to fully get used to nights. Try to rest when you can, it will get better! Melatonin is great to help you sleep well....good luck!

and make sure your manager is aware if you're interested in switching to days.. my unit has a "day list" for those on nights waiting for a day spot to open up...

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I can certainly empathize, I'm in the same boat. When something opens up on days, I'm going to grab it.

In the meantime, thank your lucky stars that you have a job in this economy. I do every day.. it makes it easier.

Best to you-

diane, RN

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.
Waaaaaaah. Suck it up.

Like you're the only one that has trouble with 3rd's/nights.

4-weeks!!! You haven't even given your body time to acclimate.

Give it 4-5 years and move up to days like the rest of us.

hey mod's...I dont know if you have noticed, but just from casual reading on allnurses it seems like this user is always posting mean spirited non constructive comments. just getting sick of this poster's negativity popping up everywhere

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Nights are tough. It takes a long time to adjust. Just hang in there. It will get better. Just to add, some people actually prefer nights.

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Waaaaaaah. Suck it up.

Like you're the only one that has trouble with 3rd's/nights.

4-weeks!!! You haven't even given your body time to acclimate.

Give it 4-5 years and move up to days like the rest of us.

Acoording to the original poster, she admits she's grumpy because of her new midnight shifts. Make sense.

You're on days - what's your excuse? :hlk:

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Nights take quite a while for your body to adjust. I've been working nights for about 2.5 years now, and it seems normal to me now. I don't have that groggy/foggy feeling anymore.

It does NOT take years to get on dayshift in most places like the previous rude, negative poster mentioned. Every place where I have worked those who have wanted dayshift have been able to get one in less than a year. Most of the students I graduated with who really really wanted days got days right off the bat and have never had to do nights. Most works in various clinics and have great hours (no weekends, holidays, etc)! There are places in nursing outside the hospital.

I like nights and do well on them, but do plan to go to days next years to be on the same schedule as my kids and teacher husband.

But do give it some time, and by time I mean a few months. Just go with the flow now, sleep when you need to (I remember sleeping a LOT, I felt like I could just sleep allll the time the first few months), don't be too hard on yourself.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Cardiology.

For me exercise is the key. I wake up at around 11am in the morning before my first of three 12 hour shifts. I go for a 30 min. run (or to the gym for 30 min) at around 2pm. I go in to work that night at 6:45 and then work my three 12 hour shifts. After my third shift, I drive to the gym on my way home, and work out for 30-40 minutes, whether I feel like it or not. I always feel better after I exercise.

Then on my days off I sleep when I need to and I work out at least every other day. I find that on the days I DON'T exercise I'm tired and crabby. On the days I do exercise I have energy and feel good.

I've been on nights for 3 years and don't have any problems making it work. It does help that my husband gets up with the kids in the morning and makes dinner for the kids, and helps them with their homework on the the days I work. I woudn't be able to do it with out his help. :loveya:

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Specializes in ICU.

Switch to days. For 4 years I worked half days/half nights which I dont mind (2 day, 2 night, 5 off). But Over the last year I did 2 travel contracts that were straight nights and I wanted to kill my self each time. i was miserable. Tired even though I slept great. I would wake up at 5 and could go back to bed at 10 no problem. Now I have a day contract and I am never going back to nights if I can help it. I dont sleep nearly as much and have a normal schedule. For me it never got better. I hated it. My firends seem to have no problem, but I just cant deal with it. So do yourself a favour and try to find a day job.

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