I just started nights, and I work wed, thurs, fri 7p-7a. I absolutely love nights and I'm able to stay awake during the shift. I can also easily fall asleep when I get home, and sleep from 8am to 4pm. On my first morning off, I will force myself to get up by 3pm and go to bed at midnight. Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep, sometimes I don't. On other days off after working, I sleep till noon every time (which ends up being 10+ hours of sleep)! I hate this because I love waking up at 10am, but I'm so tired, I want to sleep til noon or later. Then, I'm so tired the entire day, I feel foggy. Any advice for a new RN working nights?
I worked nights for 5 years, then 1 year of days, but now I am back on my night shift. It is very difficult, but you have to try different things to see what will work for you. I sleep a couple of hours that first night that I have to go in and then sleep 7-9 hours each day that I am working. The last morning that I get off, I will try and straigthen up the house a bit before going to sleep, and I will sleep a few hours depending on how tired I am. Sometimes I do sleep the whole day, then I have to drink some wine or take a benadryl to help me sleep that night. It is very unnatural, but that is the best thing for me right now and I truly truly love the night shift. My husband thinks I am crazy!!! I hope you get yourself in a good schedule.
I just started nights, and I work wed, thurs, fri 7p-7a. I absolutely love nights and I'm able to stay awake during the shift. I can also easily fall asleep when I get home, and sleep from 8am to 4pm. On my first morning off, I will force myself to get up by 3pm and go to bed at midnight. Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep, sometimes I don't. On other days off after working, I sleep till noon every time (which ends up being 10+ hours of sleep)! I hate this because I love waking up at 10am, but I'm so tired, I want to sleep til noon or later. Then, I'm so tired the entire day, I feel foggy. Any advice for a new RN working nights?
i know exactly how you feel. i've always worked the night shift since my cna days doing either 8 or 12 hr. shifts. it can really throw your clock off. i stopped working nights because my children got older and i went back to school. if it gets too much for ya i would switch shifts. dont stay on nights for years i heard this can be bad for your health.
I've been on nights for almost two years and still not really used to it. I am usually awake most of the night when I'm off. All of my friends and family are day people so I sometimes feel a bit isolated. The money is fantastic but lately I'm thinking I would gladly take the pay cut for a normal schedule again!
ldchargern
12 Posts
I worked nights for 5 years, then 1 year of days, but now I am back on my night shift. It is very difficult, but you have to try different things to see what will work for you. I sleep a couple of hours that first night that I have to go in and then sleep 7-9 hours each day that I am working. The last morning that I get off, I will try and straigthen up the house a bit before going to sleep, and I will sleep a few hours depending on how tired I am. Sometimes I do sleep the whole day, then I have to drink some wine or take a benadryl to help me sleep that night. It is very unnatural, but that is the best thing for me right now and I truly truly love the night shift. My husband thinks I am crazy!!! I hope you get yourself in a good schedule.