1900-0730 Shift--How do you fit in time for a social life?

[NurseCurtis]

Hello all! I just started working the night shift-- and let me preface this by saying how much I love it-- less family, no admin, less Docs-- mainly just the patients and "the team".

But, to all good things some rain must fall, I suppose.

And I'm not talking about the dreaded 0400 phone calls to the Doc, either. (though that fear is subsiding).

I'm exhausted after three 12 hr shifts, plus one 8 stuck in per pay pd. It's as if I have to spend a whole day staying awake at the end of the three, in order to be able to fall asleep at a "normal" time for my days off! Then, if I'm not scheduled for my shifts in a row, I have a really hard time with the old circadian rhythms.

This seems to leave little time for a social life. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!:zzzzz:zzzzz:zzzzz

[ThatPoshGirl]

I'm exhausted after three 12 hr shifts, plus one 8 stuck in per pay pd.

Can someone explain how this works? In the past when I have worked 12 hour shifts it was always 3 on 3 off/4 on 4 off. Is it different in the medical field?

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Can someone explain how this works? In the past when I have worked 12 hour shifts it was always 3 on 3 off/4 on 4 off. Is it different in the medical field?

Alot of hospitals encourage nursing staff to work 3 12's (not necessarily all three in a row), or 2 12's 2 8's. I like working 12's but would hate working 3 in a row every week. It would get too exhausting.

[shelly304]

We often work an extra 8 hr for shift OT. I will fill in for people who have kids-sports, Boy Scouts and many holidays. Can make for a loooong week but when I want to take time off to get out of town with hubby (he travels to cool places and I go along!) I don't have any problem asking someone to cover for me!

[bagladyrn, RN]

I've worked nights (23-07 at first, then 19-07) for over 25 years now. I found no real problem in keeping up a social life as over the years I've met so many other people who work odd shifts as well. Many of my friends have been musicians who knew they could stop by at 2 a.m and I would be awake. Most of my day shift friends are ready to get together in the evenings after work for dinner or such just about the time I'm up and ready to face the world. When my son and foster sons were in high school I found it convenient to be home for after school activities.

On my days off I don't really turn around much any more unless I have a really special appointment or occasion. Normally on off days I stay up until about 4 am and sleep until about 11am to 12 noon. Still leaves plenty of day time to do stuff during "normal business hours".

[LadyTiger44]

Benedryl works great... he he