3rd shift and feeling sad/alone at work vent

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When I work nights, I feel alone in the middle of the night knowing that everyone is asleep and there is no one to talk to. I'm busy at work but it still lingers in my head- I can work days and have no problem thinking about work. The problem is, I can't work days due to many reasons including scheduling, school, and the only position available for this job is at night.

During the day leading up to my night shift, I'm anxious and in a crappy mood. On my days off, I'm as happy as a clam and love my time. It's an ongoing battle in my mind and it's driving me crazy. I'm not asking for medical advice but I sure think this shift is making me really depressed! Thanks for letting me vent. I'm wondering if anyone else feels this way?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I work nights as well, and it can be a bummer to be awake and working your tail off while everyone else in the known world is sleeping. How much longer do you have until you graduate, since you'd mention you're inschool? if you want, you can always contact me on here. I'll be up! have you thought about getting mobile internet? I have it through tmobile on my phone and it really does help, because i can come on here when I have a low point in my work.

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I work nights as well, and it can be a bummer to be awake and working your tail off while everyone else in the known world is sleeping. How much longer do you have until you graduate, since you'd mention you're inschool? if you want, you can always contact me on here. I'll be up! have you thought about getting mobile internet? I have it through tmobile on my phone and it really does help, because i can come on here when I have a low point in my work.

Thanks for the response. My phone doesn't have mobile internet capabilities (old dinosaur of a phone) and I'm still under contract for another year. I have 2 years left for my Bachelor's but that will only take away the "school" conflict. This economic time is just REALLY hard and I hate feeling stuck.

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I am sorry you feel this way. It has been statisically proven that there is more feelings of isolation and depression on this shift than any other one. Also looked at was decreased number of friends due to schedule conflicts however it tends to have a closer knit team than the other ones for the above reasons. Put in for day shift that in itself will go far in raising your spirits, kind of like seeing a light at the end of the tunnel type thing. Try networking and doing thing outside of work with other people on nights, that should help also. Keep a close eye on your health as noc people tend to have more illnesses than the other shifts. That was proven also during the study. I hope my suggestions help you through this. Noc shift is not an easy as some think it is. Good Luck :)

TuTonka

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Specializes in amb.care,mental health,geriatrics.

Not everyone is cut out for nights. I did them a few times years ago. The longest I could go was about a year before I started feeling really depressed, worn out and beat up. (the one great thing, though, about having to work while everyone else is snug in their beds, is..... driving home in the a.m. and watching all those people on the road headed to work for a long hard day while you're on YOUR way to snuggle up under the covers!:D)

But if you're in school or otherwise unable to work days, maybe you can hang in there until your circumstances change, or maybe look at some other option like just working weekends (days).

I was usually lucky that my coworkers on my shift were friendly people and we'd pass the wee hours chatting away.

Just a heads-up, if you're using your facility's computer, a lot of places have pretty strict rules about personal use. I know at my hospital they remind us often that IT regularly goes in to audit what people have been doing on the internet. Don't want to ruin your one outlet, but just want to make sure you know where your company stands on that issue.

Hang in there; it will be OK!

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I kinda know how you feel. I work an evening shift part time in a LTC.....I'm on one hall by myself.......on the other hall are 2 other LPNs and an RN.

I know that if I need help the RN would come over, and she does.....she also comes over and does orders after the MD or the APN has been there. But then she goes back to the other hall. And I'm alone again. However, I'm busy enough with the med pass that I really don't have time to talk, but it is nice to know there is someone else there....if you just say "Hi," in passing.

They all would and do come over if I ask for help......so I know they're there.

It just gets lonely sometimes.

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Specializes in LTC.

I know how you feel. I worked nocs as a CNA for a little over 2 years while I was in nursing school. I would usually take a nap in the evening before I had to go to work (if it was a day I didn't have class in the evening). My husband would usually come up to bed and read or watch TV while I slept and it was so hard to have to get up and leave.

And the worst was the winter time when it gets dark so early and it would be dark or almost dark already by the time I woke up in the afternoon.

Hang in there.

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I do third shift. (hopefully not for much longer) I also feel the way you do, but I think a large part of it for me is I don't get to sleep much when I am home. People seem to forget, my family included, that I just worked a 12 hour shift. On third. I come home at 7am the toddlers are up and my husband goes to work...ok so when do I SLEEP?? I think not getting the right amount of sleep while doing this shift will wreck your life. You will be sad and lonely. I see that you have other things going on in your life too.

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When I work nights, I feel alone in the middle of the night knowing that everyone is asleep and there is no one to talk to...

What do you mean there's nobody to talk to? Surely you're not the only staff on at night. I work night shift and I do understand what others have said.... I go to work and notice the houses I pass by with just the tv light flickering in the windows and I know they're watching whatever before they get ready to go to sleep while I'm on my way to work. I wish I was getting ready to go to bed too! OTOH, on my way home in the morning, when I see kids waiting for the school bus/people leaving for work, I think heh heh! I'm going to bed and you're not!

Night shift is a horse of a different color. People either seem to love it or hate it. I love it, it appears you don't. I never feel alone on noc shift; I'm too busy talking to my awake patients or my fellow staff. Night shifters at my facility have gotten to know each other and we're all buddies. What kind of relationship do you have with your fellow night shifters?

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Night shift is a horse of a different color. People either seem to love it or hate it. I love it, it appears you don't. I never feel alone on noc shift; I'm too busy talking to my awake patients or my fellow staff. Night shifters at my facility have gotten to know each other and we're all buddies. What kind of relationship do you have with your fellow night shifters?

Yeah I laugh watching everyone driving to work as I'm on my way home but that sure isn't the case when I'm leaving for work! Anyway, I worked night shift at my last job and when I mean I'm alone, I mean the CNA's were off doing their thing and I was the only nurse on that side of the building. I had a lot of paperwork to do (60 patients) so I was stuck at the desk for a while. I got along with the CNA's but they weren't the type I could "chat" with (not because they were CNA's but because some weren't talkative, some seemed scared of me, some were out on a smoke break when they had free time and some I just don't "click" with and can't hold a conversation). Even the nurses on the other side of the building weren't people I could hold a conversation with.

I've just started a NEW job so of course everyone is eyeing me to see how I am. I hate not knowing what to do so I'm busy learning my way. When I'm new, I don't make friends right away because I'm getting a feel for everyone's work ethic and gossip tendency. I also watch to see who is doing their job without having to be babysat (I tend to trust those who do their work vs those who are there for the paycheck and drag their feet). I am the only nurse in that building at nights and I only work with 2 other adults.

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It's hard being the newbie and that can make you feel lonely until you get to know your fellow staff/they get to know you. I'd bring an occasional treat/make an extra effort to put yourself out there/show them how friendly you are and I bet things will go easier for you. A good sense of humor goes a long way. Since this is a new job, you have the opportunity to give that first honest/good impression as you learn the ropes of your new position. Give it time. It sounds like your staff just needs time to get to know you and then you won't feel so alone. I think it's smart that you're eyeballing them... they're eyeballing you right back. Set a friendly/honest tone from the getgo and things will fall into place.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Thanks for the response. My phone doesn't have mobile internet capabilities (old dinosaur of a phone) and I'm still under contract for another year. I have 2 years left for my Bachelor's but that will only take away the "school" conflict. This economic time is just REALLY hard and I hate feeling stuck.

Well, hang in there. I am fully confident that you will be able to make it.

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