Shift-work

nightmare, RN · Nov 1, 2008

I'm sure if you Google,shifts sleep disorder, you will find plenty but then it will make no difference to your manager as all hospitals do shifts!

Scrubby · Nov 2, 2008

My own opinion is that there are some nurses who don't mind working all shifts and it doesn't seem to affect them, and there are others (like myself) who aren't suited to it. I suffered from a sleeping disorder from working shifts, I will never do it again.

I'm lucky enough that I work Mon-Fri with no nights. I wouldn't mind doing block shifts where you get to work a series of days, then lates, then nights. That way my body would be able to adjust. But most hospitals in Oz seem to have rotating shift hours which I am unable to cope with.

I googled it and there were many articles that I could only read the abstract of, but seem to agree that shift work can have significant health affects. I'm sure management are aware of this but as long as they legally make nurses work these dreadful hours then they aren't going to stop doing it.

If you want to prove to your manager that you have a sleep disorder then my advice is to go see a doctor. If you have a certificate to state that you are unable to work shifts then perhaps they can accomadate this.

Otherwise you might want to consider looking for employment where you don't have to do shift work.

granzanz · Nov 2, 2008

has anyone heard of the medication for "shift work sleep disorder" I believe it's called provigil. I have worked nights for almost 30 years and pretty much live on a night schedule. I am curious about this medication, it's also used for sleep apnea pts who have trouble staying awake.. I just heard about this from a pt with sleep apnea. any comments???