Starting Night shift...Need help!!

pockunit, ADN, RN · Feb 22, 2015

It depends on the floor. If it's a busy one, NOCs aren't hard because you're running your hinder off all night and don't really get a chance to feel tired. If it's a quiet floor, take frequent, brisk walks and titrate caffeine levels carefully. Going outside for a break can help. I've been known to run in the skyway between buildings to try and get myself wound up for those last few hours before report. 0800-2000 isn't exactly what I'd call a night shift, though. That's a pretty sweet shift, honestly. Time enough to get a full night's sleep and still have a nice slow morning before work. Jealous!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 22, 2015

Hello Everyone,
I am going to start working night shift very soon (8a-8p)

The hours you posted are considered day shift in most facilities. Perhaps you meant 8p-8a?

The best way to stay fresh all night is to get enough sleep during the day. If possible, try to maintain a nighttime schedule--or close to it--on your days off. You don't have to stay up until 8am on your off nights, but generally wake up/go to bed later. It's better than trying to shift between day and night schedules.

You may need something to help you sleep in the daytime (I thank God for Vistaril every time I finish a night shift). I can't give medical advice per our TOS, so talk to your healthcare provider and ask them to recommend a prescription/OTC medication that would be best for you. Also, consider a white noise machine. I use an app on my iPhone that has 40+ white noise sounds--I'll set one on a timer and it helps mask the background noises in the house and lulls me to sleep. My favorite is the box fan.

MallysMama · Feb 22, 2015

You have to remember that you'll most likely be working pretty hard during those 12 hours. If you're tired enough- you'll be able to sleep.

You can always buy room darkening blinds (or hang a blanket in front of any windows) and wear a sleep mask and ear plugs if you need help simulating a quiet night during daytime hours.

I'm probably in the minority- but I love working night shift!! It takes some time- but you'll adjust! (And if you don't- try switching to dayshift after a few months.) Good luck!

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Feb 22, 2015

30+ years on nights and here's what I know:

1) ABSOLUTELY pitch black sleep environment

2) White noise (box fan placed near the door is perfect

3) No caffeine five hours before bedtime

4) NO electronics in the bedroom - none!

5) Put your sunglasses on BEFORE you leave work- sunlight falling on the retina supresses melatonin secretion and drives wakefulness. Keep them on until your butt hits the bed. IF you have to get up to pee, put your sunglasses on.

6) Sign on the door to keep people from ringing the doorbell.

All the cool kids work nights!

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2015

I'm the oddball. I have no problems sleeping right after work. I am wide awake during the whole shift and the drive home. The minute I get in the door its like someone flipped a switch and I'm immediatly exhausted and ready for bed. Its all I can do not to fall asleep before eating and showering.

Most of my night shift friends all need white noise, room darkening shades/curtins etc. I sleep in my bedroom and do nothing to alter it. My shades are down but other than that, nothing has changed. I don't need to darken the room or have white noise. I'm lucky in that respect. I don't drink anything caffinated or high in sugar 4 or 5 hrs before its time to go home and sleep.

I sleep when I get home and wake up whenever my body says its time to wake up. I never force myself to stay and bed and try to sleep more. If I'm still awake after 10-15 minutes I just get up and go about my day. Every night before I go in, I take a nap. Its usually between 1 1/2-2 hrs long.

On my nights off, I go to bed when I'm tired and wake up when I wake up. I've learned never to force myself to go to bed or stay in bed if my body just screams get up or stay awake.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2015

I'm a natural night shifter also. I'm not one to nap at all during a break as some of my coworkers do. Sleeping on my break would destroy my steady sleep cycle during the day. I am wide awake all night and once I get home I'm out like a light. I generally sleep from 9am to 330pm or 4pm and the use the following 2 hours or so to get ready for work and eat dinner if I am returning (my commute door to door is only 10 min). I always eat a full dinner as well before work and I end up only snacking overnight. That helps. I don't even have the need at all to drink coffee during work to stay awake. As a result, I don't feel like I'm one of those people whose health is affected by night shift, I'm dealing with it quite nicely.

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CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2015

PacoUSA you and I are much a like. I normally sleep from 830-9am until 230-330pm latest. I work 11p-730a so I have more time between waking up and getting ready for work.

In that time, I eat dinner with the family (and I am normally never hungry during my shift, I'll have a snack but not a meal like my co-workers.) I go in with a large coffee, but rarely finish it and I don't drink coffee at all during my shift. Water is all I drink during the shift.

I think the OP just needs to listen to his/her body..sleep when it says sleep, get up when it says its time to get up.