The Nightshift is getting to me!!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2004

Let me think about it? Monday through Fridays 8:30 to 4:30 with weekends off. hmmm..... GO FOR IT! I would love those kinds of hours!

I know what you mean. I constantly feel like I'm in a fog and don't sleep well. The last several days I've taken naps of about two to four hours at a time, but not a good 8 hour sleep.

I'm very concerned about school. Because when I was taking EKG and PCU recently whenver I would read those books I would fall asleep instantly. I'm drinking too much coffee.

Nights is one of the worst things I do to my body. Right now though I need that differential for at least another four years to pay off a big loan consolidation that I borrowed from 401K, silly me. Plus working days getting up at 5:00AM, I feel just as bad. But getting up later to be at work at 8:30 instead of 6:45 would be a dream.

You are not whining. I feel your pain. Best of luck to you! :)

HannasMom · Aug 7, 2004

Tweety, I totally understand about falling asleep while reading textbooks. I do that while reading my Sociology book. I can't take it to work to study during lunch break, because if I do I may fall asleep at work and that would be awful. I'm the charge nurse... LOL. I haven't submitted my application and resume yet, but will tomorrow or Monday. I can mail it. I really hope I have a chance. I would like to enjoy life again. :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2004

Good luck to you. Can't hurt to go for it.

HannasMom · Aug 7, 2004

Are you working tonight Tweety? I took the night off. I'm glad I did, still feel kinda yucky. There is a buggaboo going around, have had a few sick residents lately due to it. Families visit and pass it to their grandma or grandpa.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2004

What is the worse that can happen if you don't like the new job? You can always go back to nights, right?? If your place is like most, your job will still be open. I love nights. I love the people, the type of patients that come in the ER, the lack of admin breathing down your neck, the extra money.....but it is a killer on your body even if you get "enough" sleep during the day. I am definately NOT a day person, geeting up at 0500 is worse and I feel like crap all day, so it is no better. But, in the ER there are variable shifts, so I work 1000-2200 or a variation of later day shifts. Even 1500-0300 is OK. Look around and see what you can find. That is the beauty of nursing, we are not trapped in a 9-5, M-F world.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2004

Are you working tonight Tweety? I took the night off. I'm glad I did, still feel kinda yucky. There is a buggaboo going around, have had a few sick residents lately due to it. Families visit and pass it to their grandma or grandpa.

Nope. I'm at home. Was reading a book on the couch waiting for the rain to stop and typically fell asleep. :rotfl:

LoriChr · Aug 7, 2004

I would go for the day position. I was in the same spot four years ago. I was working nights in LTC and a position opened up in surgery at a clinic. The position was for 30 hours (same as I was working in the nursing home) no evening, weekends or holidays. I went for it and only wish it would have happened sooner. The only downside was salary, I just now make what I used to working nights.

You are lucky you love what you are doing now, I was really burned-out with LTC. Which made working night shift even worse.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

reyna · Aug 8, 2004

i know what you mean...i work nocs too...also, i have a 2 year old son who keeps me awake the whole day...i'm thinking of either changing to eve shift or find a 10 or 12 hour/day shift...at least i'll be working less days...more time to sleep :)

tiroka03, LPN · Aug 8, 2004

Seems for me, working nights and summer make for hard times.

My kids are home from school, so I don't sleep as much. It's hot and humid and we don't have air conditioning. That robs quality and quanity of sleep.

Then there is road construction, lawn mowers ect.

Can't wait until fall.

It's not easy here to find day positions, so for now it's nights and school for me.

MelissaRN · Aug 8, 2004

I worked nights for a year and I never felt right. I'm on day shift now and am a happy camper. Feels good to sleep at night and wake up to the birdies in the morning.

HannasMom · Aug 8, 2004

I have worked on my resume, to where I'm happy with it. Filled out the application for the VA and did a cover letter. It looks good and I'm pleased with myself. My husband told me to go for it. He said I gave the nightshift a good try and he's proud of me.

The VA is hiring in other areas of the hospital, so if I don't get this one, there will be others. I want to work either days or evenings, so I'm open to either. Just not nights anymore. Maybe if I get a job with them they can pay for my LPN to RN program too, when I get accepted in a year or two.

I have been so tired and stressed lately, I'm behind in a Sociology assignment, better get working on it some, before I go to work tonight.

I let everyone know what happens with the VA. I really want this, the hours are great, plus it's a clinic position.