Overnight New L&D nurse

[AlyciaReaves]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to allnurses.com, but I am an ardent reader of the updates and blogs posted. I just got an L&D position as for which I am extremely grateful. I just have one question...How am I going to survive on nights as an L&D nurse? I worked in an LTAC for 4 months on nights and it was brutal, around 4 am I wanted to be a goner, but I managed to stay awake. Are there any tips on how to survive the night shift as an L&D nurse..I'm all ears!!!

[klag0915]

I wish I had advice......I work nights now, coming up on one year. Only thing that helped me was cutting back to PT. And I realize not everyone can do that. The only other thing that keeps me for the dreaded "it's 4am and I will kill someone else if I don't killed myself first" sage is having a good energetic crew to work with. And usually that's our young 20somethings

[APL&D]

I don't know what your family situation is, but just try to sleep during the day, get dark curtains/blinds, loud fans for white noise, exercise, eat healthy foods that give you energy, and I do not mean coffee. And hopefully you'll be able to transfer to day shift in a few years. I do know from experience, though, that some people are just not cut out for night shift. Sorry!

[Road2CNO]

Well, I have worked nights before and currently work days. I am about to transition back to nights to start an OB job (I also work in an LTAC). One positive thing I would like to point out with regards to L&D, babies come at all hours of day/night so hopefully that will help keep you going. Just a thought :) Good luck!