Sleep schedules

Nurses Stress 101

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I'm very much a night owl and for the next couple of weeks I'll be orienting on day shift. The thing is I never ever feel rested when I wake up no matter how many hours I sleep. Last night I got around 7 hours of sleep and felt dead tired during work today. I could sleep 10 hours and still be tired. Something about the time being that early just doesnt sit right with my body. It was this way during nursing school too so I don't know how I'll manage to wake up at 5 am everyday to go to work. Anyone else experience this and find a solution?

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

You could always work Noc shift and sleep during the day

Hppy

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Do you have sleep apnea?

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I think you may need to get some lab work done to check your levels. Are you anemic? You should aim for 7 hours of sleep. You may need to change your eating and physical fitness habits. Also, don't take your time getting up. When the alarm clock goes off, get up right away. Wash your face and get your day started. No snooze button. Is your mattress needing to be replaced? Are the conditions you are sleeping in comfortable? Do you take a daily multi vitamin?

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I am the same way. Now I work straight nights.

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Specializes in POST PARTUM/NURSERY/L&D/WOMENS SERVICES.

I will never understand the logic to orienting a night shifter on days. Would a day shifter be expected to orient on nights?

The excuse is always we see more on days...I digress...you should be orienting with your colleagues you will be working with...and we see more than we could ever unsee at night...day shifters would not know that, because they don't work nights!!!

I don't think there is a solution that is going to make you be able to swap schedules and be rested...you could see if you could get a temporary script for ambien or some other sleep aid that will allow you to actually sleep, and be rested for your work day.

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For my facility, orienting on day is beneficial only because I might be asked to come in a little early to help with staffing problems.

I work nights now but I sleep so much that I never have time to do anything else now lol

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