Nightshifters

waterlily777 · May 21, 2010

I am in EXACTLY the same situation as you... can't wait to hear the responses you (we) get. :-)

I start in two weeks, and all I have been telling myself is: Starbucks here I come!

Good Luck

gtoko · May 21, 2010

Waterlily,

I will keep you posted. Feel free to pm me. Thanks for your reply:)

Midwest4me · May 21, 2010

There have been many threads about getting accustomed to nightshift...therefore LOTS of feedback, so check out the threads. Frankly, I've worked nights for years and NEVER get enough sleep but enough to function I guess. The main tip I have is to treat it like day shift. For your first night on, try to get a 3-4 hour nap and get up an hour before you need to leave. I work 4 10-hr night shifts. I try to stay up until noon then sleep for 6-7 hours so I'm up a few hours before I need to leave for work.

If you drink coffee or anything caffeinated while at work, stop drinking it 2-3 hours before the shift is over. What kind of environment will you work in? LTC or hospital?

melsman1904 · May 21, 2010

Have firm boundaries when it comes to your sleep. Everyone in the house needs to understand and respect that you must sleep. Set those boundaries early. Turn the phone off. Lay off the caffeine later in the shift. Maintain good sleep hygiene. And if none of these tips work, start looking for a day shift position.

Pongoo · May 22, 2010

You just have to adjust your schedule and keep to it. Plan out what schedule you want now. On you off days keep that schedule as much as possible. Do not convert to a day shifter on your days off, unless absolutly neccesary, ex. kids ball game. If you do take a nap when you get home. Tips to help you sleep.

1. Block all sunlight from getting into room. Can put aluminum foil over windows, get THICK curtains, put velcro on wall and back of curtain to tuck it in. Anyway to make room dark. Towel under door if necessary. A big sock filled with newspaper works great as well.

2. Always have a fan on, even in winter to block outside noise such as neighbor mowing or kids running. Winter time face fan towards a wall so you don't freeze.

3. Get earplugs! Get the best ones to block out the noise. Mine are a light blue sponge color that I use and a very comfortable and easy to get used to.

4. Remove phone if possible. Telemarketers work during your sleep time. Tell family and friends not to call during sleep period.

5. Figure out set schedule that will work for you and stay with it. You say you are used to going to bed at 10 P.M. So now make "insert time here" your new 10 P.M. 3 hours either way on off days won't hurt you to much to adjust, but get 6 to 8 hours uninterrupted sleep.

6. No caffeine 6 hours before bedtime!

7. Melatonin is a vitamin that can help you sleep.

julopy · May 22, 2010

I work nights and go to school during the day. I usually sleep 4 hours a day.I have gained allot of weight and I can be grumpy. But it isn't the same for everyone. I like to sleep during the early morning and spend the evenings with my family or studying. Just give your body time to adjust to the hour change and remember to stop all caffeine a couple hours before going to bed.

im4texas · May 22, 2010

I am a day shift person trapped in working nights. If you have any chronic health issues, expect them to be harder to manage on nights. That having been said, working your days in a row helps because if you are on a day then off a day or on two and off one you will never get enough rest. Brookstones has a temperpedic eye mask that is very comfortable and will really help especially if where you live prohibits aluminum foil on the windows, which some do. If you travel, the windows will all be different sizes from apt to apt so blackout curtains may be difficult to manage and so this is a very good solution. Also, even though a lot of coffee seems like a good idea, it can have rebound effects. So i limit myself to two cups, one at the beginning of the shift and one at 1 AM with lunch. Good luck and best wishes.

gtoko · May 22, 2010

Thank you for your advice. I am trying to get in the mindset that I can do this. I have to do it. Please say a prayer for me and again, thank you:redbeathe

DeeAngel · May 22, 2010

Earplugs and a sleep mask help, also remove the phone from the bedroom and make sure members of your family understand the concept of QUIET. I work nights but I also live alone and in an area that is extremely quiet.

christieb01 · May 22, 2010

I started working nights about a month ago. I am a new nurse but this is my second career. I have had a rough time getting used to the schedule. However, I really like working nights. The pace is so much better for me to learn. I agree with all of the above advice. I have a family as well, so when I have days off- I make the most of them. But when I have to work that night, my family knows that mommy needs to sleep. I have ear plugs and I use them.

The hardest part for me has been missing saying goodnight to my family. Their bedtime is an incredibly busy time for me at work so I can't take time to call. I think this week I'm going to write goodnight notes for bedtime.

Good luck, you can do it!

twokidsmom,rn · May 22, 2010

I am 45 with 2 school aged kids. You have to make sleep a priority and your family and friends need to know it too. Working 12 hr shifts are better than working 5 eight hour shifts that is what I do. You have more nights off in a row with 12hr shifts. I only get 2 nights off in a row every other weekend. I sleep from 10am to 5 if I am lucky. I take sleep aids use a sleep mask and earplugs and sleep in the darkest bedroom in the house. Getting at least 1 nights off in a row helps. Good Luck