switching to 3rd shift

AnneMarie · Mar 3, 2010

Congrats on your job!! 3rd shift will probably be tough to start, but your body will adjust. My friend works nights and she said that she sleeps with an eye mask and a fan during the day to "trick" her body into thinking it's night time. You will be tired, so as long as you have the right environment, sleeping shouldn't be too much of a struggle! I think she sleeps until about noon when she gets home, and every night she sleeps from 9-11 for a "nap" before she goes in. That still accounts for about 6 hours a day, which is do-able for her....Of course, everyone's different! You could always sleep a little later during the day or lay down at 8:30pm for your "nap" instead of 9 or whatever. My friend's daughter is a toddler, so she actually naps in the middle of the day when her daughter naps instead of sleeping all the way until noon. She gets to play with her in the morning, see her after her nap, and still puts her to bed at night before she takes her "nap" before work.

You can do it! You will definitely have to make some adjustments, but you'll just have to play around with your time and see what feels right for you and your family. I'm sure in a couple of weeks it will feel like second nature. Good luck!

Sunshine09RN · Mar 3, 2010

Hello there...I've just been hired for my 1st nursing job and will be starting in just a couple weeks. This position is 3rd shift, midnight to 8am. I've only ever worked 1st shift. I've worked 2 jobs, gone to school, I'm a single mother, I'm not afraid of a challenge but need some tips on how to prepare for the change. I know that sleeping during the day will be the most difficult especially since I'm a light sleeper, but I also know eating, exercising, errands, spending time with my daughter, etc will all change. I'm also aware that this will take a toll on my health, weaken my immune system and I'll probably be fighting colds and indigestion. If you have any insight or helpful advice, I would be very appreciative. Thank you.

Congrats on the new job!! I, for one, LOVE working night shift. There are less doctors, administrators, families, etc. around and I think the night-shift staff are a lot more laid-back. I work 7p-7a (3 times a week), so my schedule is a little different than yours. If it is my first night shift of the week, I try to get in a 2-3 hour nap before going to work. That way I'm not dragging when 4 am comes around. After that, I take a shower and sleep for 6-7 hours as soon as I get home from work, then I wake up and start the routine all over. On my days off, I usually go to bed around midnight and sleep in until 9 am or so. However, I don't have any children, so it is much easier for me work the night shift. I don't use any eye masks or anything except close the curtains and make my room as dark as possible. I also rely on tons of tea or coffee to keep me up throughout my night shift.

Finally, I think if you lead a healthy lifestyle, your immune system will be just fine and you shouldn't worry about colds or indigestion. I have been working night shift for the last 4 years and have never had a problem!

rsslpn · Mar 4, 2010

I have worked nights for the last 5 years and am now switching to dayshift, finally! I would almost always sleep with an eye mask on (cheap and easy to find, get one at wally world for about $5) and I have to have a fan! Juggling nights with a family if difficult but do-able. You will find what works best for you and your family.

Also try some lavender, you can get a room air freshener with that and it does help!

Best of luck to you in your new position!

mrscoozy · Mar 4, 2010

i switch back and forth from days to nights. now that's tough! it doesn't even switch from week to week...i am usually scheduled days and nights in the same week.:sstrs: i have survived this for about a year and a half now, but i am seriously considering going to straight nights so my body can have some sort of normal schedule. of course it is not an option to just do all days since everyone wants that shift. so we'll see what i decide, i am still debating about it, but i would be making more money and usually less stress on nights.