Sleepy Nightshift nurse

[jackpp]

I've worked night shift for 7 years now. I love it while I'm there, however, I feel like I really struggle on my days off. All I want to do is sleep. Any recommendations on how to bounce back better would be appreciated. HELP!!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

As a long time night nurse...change shifts. I loved nights....but they are exhausting. Get better sleep. darken your room to a nighttime darkness. I made up "shades" out of heavy black material that used velcro to attach them to the windows. I disconnected ALL phone electronics, answered NO doors. Have white noise and a window air conditioner in addition to the central air to block heat and noise. Keep a similar schedule even on off days....but find time for the sun. It clears depression and helps with sleep and health.

[Katniss88]

During my orientation I was on day shift. Then I switched to nights, I actually feel like I sleep better during the day. I switch back to sleeping at night on my off days but I still feel like I don't get enough sleep.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

OP: Get a medical checkup to rule out other factors

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

I also work nights, here are some helpful tips

* Like Esme12 said, darken those windows! I went to wal-mart and bought these $3.50 window shades with an adhesive strip that goes on the top of the window, coupled with some nice curtains you would think it was midnight.

* Have a bedtime ritual. When I get home from work, I take a nice warm shower, spray lavender oil on my pillowcases (aromatherapy) and have a cup of SleepyTime tea with some honey

* I disconnect all electronics and set my phone to silent, cover any light emitting object in your room (i.e cable box, alarm clock)

Hope this helps

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

As a long time night nurse...change shifts.

Yes. Absolutely. I had to get off nights to save my sanity.

I have a friend who is going through depression, anxiety, health problems, you name it. She claims she loves her 12 hour night shifts, but in my opinion she simply is not functioning as a human being in part because of her not handling the hours.

[workingmama77, BSN]

I'm a new nurse and have been on nights since October. I love the shift, where I work & my coworkers but getting my sleep schedule worked out was and is hard sometimes. Defininitely need a dark room and quietness, along with a winding down routine when I come home. I have accepted the fact that sometimes my first day and night off after working a few nights in a row will be just sleep. Otherwise I do try to stay close to my night shift hours. This shift is not easy and not for everyone.

[SubSippi]

I agree with other people who say this...I love the shift when I'm at work. But it hasn't exactly done great things for my social life. I'd be more willing to switch but the day nurses I work with can be so ornery it makes me hesitant.

[nichefinder]

Hi, have been night nurse since start of this career... and battling with sleep is an ugly business, so I usually do 3 nights in a row and return to normal lifestyle on other days off. Night shift surely seem less crowded than the days, which I really enjoy, but differentials ($$$) is biggest reason I am doing nights. Now, however, I decided to run away from 12 hour shift bedside care completely and set my nest in 8hr-5days a week job where I don't have to interact with awake patients and family members (OR, cath, day surgery, or GI). I didn't know why people wanted 8hr shifts at first, but now I desire it so much!!

[anon456, BSN, RN]

The way I solved my sleep problem and felt in the best health was to stay up until about 4 AM on my nights off. Then wake up at noon and enjoy the rest of the day. It's a much easier transition and you are not forcing your body to flip flop. Most of my friends know not to expect me before noon. I also try to avoid appts before noon. Sometimes it's unavoidable but overall your body was not meant to switch back and forth and it will impact your health if you try to do this.

[workingmama77, BSN]

I usually try to do that too, that way when I start to get sleepy between 3:30 and 4 am I don't feel bad that I didn't pull an all-nighter on my night off.

[chrisrn24]

The way I solved my sleep problem and felt in the best health was to stay up until about 4 AM on my nights off. Then wake up at noon and enjoy the rest of the day. It's a much easier transition and you are not forcing your body to flip flop. Most of my friends know not to expect me before noon. I also try to avoid appts before noon. Sometimes it's unavoidable but overall your body was not meant to switch back and forth and it will impact your health if you try to do this.

That's a good idea!