starting on nights tomorrow. Question..

icunurse42066 · Sep 7, 2008

I don't usually take a nap or stay up late on my days off, but I have worked MN for 12 years now, so I guess my body's used to it. I always feel more tired if I try to take a nap before going in. You'll figure out what you need to do, just give it some time. Good luck. You'll enjoy nights IMHO.

ilstu99 · Sep 7, 2008

Tomorrow I start on nights. My theory tonight was to stay up as late as I can and then sleep as late as I can tomorrow... what do you usually do when you are going to work (nights) the next day after days off? (Assuming on your days off you flip your sleep schedule)

:yeahthat:

And I hang out here. :typing

Looks like we'll be spending the night together. Reading anything good? :chuckle

calebsmom0822 · Sep 7, 2008

I've worked only night shifts, mostly 7pm to 7am my entire nursing career, including when I was a CNA/PCA for 6 yrs. I LOVE IT!! I'll have to agree with UK, that you'll find your own way of getting the desired amount of sleep after your day off, then going back to work. I"ll admit, it's gonna be quite an adjustment for you at first. I know when I first started working nights, I would come home and sleep, and wake up about a couple hours before going to work. But after a few weeks, I was up after 6 hours of sleep. What I would do on my first day off after working a shift, I would take just a 2 hr nap when I got home..and stay up for the rest of the day so that I could have a normal sleep schedule with my husband. (this is when I was off more than one day) Then after my days off, on my first night back, I'd just sleep in late. Normally I would not have time to take a nap before going to work. I would just fill up on coffee. :) You can get through it like that. I know I always slept well coming off my first shift back!! :) Good luck!! You'll love nights, once you get your sleep schedule fine tuned to how YOU like.

mom70409 · Sep 7, 2008

I've worked nights for 2 1/2 years as an RN and either evenings or nights for about 2 as a nurse tech when I was in nursing school. When I started as an RN, I was originally on a 3/2 split which was horrible because I felt like I was always tired, and I slept away many of my days off. I changed to weekends only for about a year, and that was really easy because I just took a nap on friday before going to work and on monday morning. I've recently taken a CN position and went to a 5/2 split. It's alright because of the long stretch I have off and being off every other weekend.

You just have to figure out what works best for you and your body. I will warn you against thinking you can do without sleep and still provide care. I work with ladies who actually work all night and go home and keep their grandchildren during the day! It's not only crazy it's dangerous. They are miserably tired, and it takes a toll on their health.

Also, be willing to admit if it just doesn't work for you. I recently oriented a new grad who was soooo excited about working nights, but after about 3 weeks it was obvious it was not for her. She's since switched to days and she loves it.

I am starting to think it's time for me to take a break from nights - especially since my husband (also an RN) has switched to days. I hate thinking about him at home sleeping (alone) when I'm at work.

Some people do it their entire career, but I think I'll return to the life of the light seekers soon.

Good luck!

TangoLima · Sep 7, 2008

I started working nights in June. The first couple days were hard. I made it through my shift, but wasn't sure I would make it home safely (have an hour drive home). Now, I have no problem, and even stay up for a couple hours after getting home.

On the day I work, I usually try to get 4-6 hours sleep because I want to be safe at work. I have worked on less sleep, even having been up all day, and I made it through. After my last shift, I usually just take a couple hour nap so that I can get back on my regular schedule.

I don't drink a lot of coffee, maybe just 1 cup on the way to work, and I don't drink coffee while at work. I do drink a lot of water, though, to keep hydrated.

You will find out what works for you. Good luck.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Sep 7, 2008

The night before I work a night, I stay up till about 5am then sleep all day before work. When I get home, I shower/eat and go to bed ASAP if I'm back that night..and sleep till it's time to get ready for work. If I'm not back the next night, I sleep when I get home till about noon or whenever I wake up so I can get back on a day schedule...sometimes I don't nap if I'm not back and will just be awake 24 hours.

blinks14 · Sep 7, 2008

The day that I start a stretch of night shifts I wake up in the morning, making sure that I don't sleep too late. Then I lay down and take a nap for a few hours before I have to get up and get ready for work. Then the next day I stay up after I get home so that I can sleep in the afternoon/evening until I have to get up to get ready for work again. I do this so it's like getting up for day shift as much as possible. I function much better when I get up right before work then several hours before. I've been doing this a while and sometimes I split up my sleep if I have an appointment or something but eventually you'll find something that works for you.

justme1972 · Sep 7, 2008

Remember your Anatomy...darkness makes your body want to fall asleep.

Keep tons of lights on....try not to look at the clock..find a physical activity to keep you moving and busy so you'll sleep good tomorrow and be as prepared as you can be for tomorrow night.

SA Girl · Sep 7, 2008

I started working nights about 5 months ago and it does take some getting use to. I still trying to adjust mainly because I am a morning/day person. When I get off at 7am I sleep for about 4 hours then do whatever it is I need to do for the day and at about 6pm or 7pm I take a nap till 9pm/9:30pm so that I can be to work for 10:30pm. I have found that when I take a nap before going in I'm more rested than if I had just slept more during the day. Also, if I eat light that is a plus because it does not drain me.

On my days off when I get home at 7am still nap for about 2 hours and just stay up as if I'm on a normal sleeping pattern. But, if course you have to do what is best for you. I hope this help in some way.

I must say I do enjoy working nights because the time just flies by so fast. I also get to spend time with my kids and still help with homework and enjoy any school activities they may have.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

I worked nights for the 2 years of NS...then I got all out of the pattern due to orienting on days.

Generally, I stay up as late as I can the night before, and sleep until I wake up....if it's too early(like 10AM), I'll get up and make my dinner for the night, do a chore, etc....and go back to bed for 2-3 hours....Usually as long as I"m up by 2 or so, I'll be ready for the shift.

during the shift, I just stay active....even if I'm all the way done with all my nursing stuff, I'll stock, clean, get up and round on my patients, etc.....Ask the aides if you can do something for em....You'll figure out what works for you...good luck!