Preparing for NOC shift

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · May 3, 2008

I worked my way through nursing school working weekend nights, and once I graduated I chose to remain on the night sched. It can be a challenge but it is doable.

I have 4 busy children at home so being able to take a nap before I go in, well that just doesnt happen.

1) Stay hydrated!!. Water is your friend.

2) Eat light at night. Going from day sched to night sched will mess with your GI tract. Cut up veggies are a good snack, as well as Raisin Bran and I am in love with the new Fiber One bars.

3) 3am seems to be the time for me that is the worst. I do find myself having to take a quick walk down to the cafeteria or even out side for a moment of fresh air. It is usually at this time that I do make a pot of coffee or get a diet pepsi.~~~I stop the caffeine though about 5am.

4) Morning are busy on my unit, so come 5:30/6:00 I am doing a final assessment or passing my am meds, I also spend this time to go over my work for the night to make sure i didnt miss anything.

5) When I get home in the morning I am in bed with in 30min. I use a fan to muffle the noise of the house. I can only sleep till maybe 1-2 at the latest. But I just kind of lounge around in my jammies till I need to hop back in the shower and start over.

Nights are my preferred shift for now. Congrats on what sounds like a great opportunity.

FLArn · May 3, 2008

Stay up as long as possible the night before the shift and sleep in room w/ blinds and drapes shut. PHONES OFF -family gone during the day if possible. Stay in bed even if you just rest w/ your eyes closed. For example if you work Thurs. 7a-3p -but are off days Fri. Stay up Thurs night as long as possible then sleep as long as possible Fri

lmc512 · May 4, 2008

for me personally, I have found that not "overanalyzing" working night shift has helped a lot. At my first job I work majority day shift with a few weeks of nights thrown in there and of course I was really ticked about doing nights. I would put a black sheet over my window so I could sleep better and I would do all the trying to stay up late the night before and sleeping late. And I got into a pattern where on my days off I could not fall asleep until 3 or 4 am. But now that I changed jobs, I have done all nights for going on 9 months now and since I had no choice to do days I just suck it up and it hasn't been so bad. I did away with the black sheet because I found it tricked my body into sleeping too much which will also make you tired, so even on my days off I wasn't waking up until 5 or 6 pm. Now if I am not working the next night I will set my alarm to get up at 1 and then I MAKE myself do somthing, exercise, grocery shop, whatever as long as I'm not sitting on the sofa. Then I can go to sleep with the rest of my family at 11 or so and sleep no problem. My advice is dont let night shift take over your life. I think most of it is mental. good luck!

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · May 4, 2008

It is mental....I believe that if you FIND something to do if you feel yourself being sleepy will help.. Personally, whenever I find that I'm starting to get a little drowsy, I get up, hit the bathroom, get ready for the next task, go round on my patients and check em all...(you know, to make sure they're still breathing!)

Sleep/food wise....

I usually eat about 1 hr before I leave the house...cause I can't know when I'm going to have dinner...some nights it's 9...some nights it's midnight...I try to get to work 15 mins early to set up my start.

I do drink some caffine...but I swear by crystal light after 2 AM....it's a little better than plain water....

I fall asleep by 7 AM usually...and if I'm not working that night...I'm up by 1-2 and make myself cook, do laundry, answer email, check an.com....etc. Then, I do what I gotta do, and usually hit bed by 11PM......

If I'm working, if i have nothing I HAVE to do beforehand...I'm up by 2/3.....get up, prep my cooler/bag, and take shower, change, leave by 4:30.....(I am 10 mins, door to floor as I like to say.)

It takes some getting used to, but you'll figure out what works for you....Good luck!

light4j · May 4, 2008

I've worked nights for a couple of years now, and love it! I didn't really have a hard time adjusting to the night schedule. As long as you work several days in a row, than have a few days off, your body should adjust. Working every other day just doesn't work. I need to wear ear plugs, as I'm a light sleeper, but the light doesn't bother me. My roomate bought some black felt at a craft store, and put it up covering her window like blinds, and I was AMAZED at how much light it blocked!! You could try a cheap solution like that. And if you get lots of phone calls during the day, make sure to turn your ringer off...you really need a full "night's" rest during the day to have enough energy to work and be awake.

BinkieRN, BSN, RN · May 4, 2008

I have no problem going to sleep but wake up after 4-5 hours. I get on the internet and read and it makes me fall asleep quickly. Last resort is 50mg of Benadryl. I'm on a waiting list for days. Small local hospital. Not alot of options.