starting 7p-7a right after a day shift

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Specializes in ED/Psych.

HI:

I am kind of wondering what to do now. I just worked 7a-3:30p today (as I have been for the past 5 months). Tomorrow I am scheduled to go to my shift and start 7p - 7a.

Should I go to bed now and then get up around 9pm and try to stay up as late as possible?? Or stay up now as late as possible? Or get up tomorrow am and then back to bed for a few hours before shift???

What would be the best way to prepare my body for this rapid change till I get on a regular schedule?

Thanks in advance.

Carla

:)

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

My experience has been that whenever I try and stay up late, I never can sleep in like I planned. I usually try to go to bed at at decent time and then try and nap the next day.

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

I would always sleep as usual and then take a long nap--sometimes taking a benadyl around 12:30 and laying down around 1 until 4 or so. Most of the time I would sleep pretty well. Then I would wake up, shower, eat breakfast and go off to work the night shift. That is what worked for me.

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Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice.

I am a bit of a night owl. So, it is very natural for me to stay up all night. I would personally stay up until 5 or 6, then sleep all day. It depends on what is natural for you.

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Specializes in ED/Psych.

Thanks guys........

I am also naturally a night owl.....but I did get up at 5am this morning :) I think that I am just going to try to stay up till around 5am (I have plenty of things to keep me busy, cleaning, etc.) and then to bed.......

Carla

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

I was a napper - 2 hours in the afternoon made all the difference in staying awake all night. Be careful driving home in the am.

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