Third shift adjustment suggestions

[lifeisgood2012]

I am going to be starting to work on 3rd shift in the very near future - I have read up on some articles about it but I haven't found anything recent - that helps with sleep patterns, etc. I don't want to get caught in a routine where I am sleeping the day away and unable to do anything else. I think I will like it better than 2nd shift - and I think its a great time of year to be starting this since its darker longer, etc. so by the time spring rolls around I will be in a routine. My other big concern is my immune system. I want to get adjusted to small meals and be eating enough that I don't get sick - I just dont know how to do that. I dont know what is going to taste good on my tummy. I just want to be sure I am taking care of my body so I give everything a fair shot.

Also, I keep reading about how 3rd shift work actually takes time off of your life because of the natural rhythm to your sleep cycle, etc. Is that really true or is there just no real way of knowing? I can see myself really enjoying 3rd shift once I get into a routine - but my main concern is keeping myself healthy during my adjustment period. I know at my last job the 3rd shift supervisor had worked 3rd shift for so many years - she loved it. I think I will too - I just dont want to be hurting my health. Apparently some people adjust and others dont - I want to give it my all and give it a fair shot.

I am also going through the adjustment of moving throughout all of this - so I know that is going to mix in with it too - I am preparing for it as best as I can (moving) before I start work again but its still going to be awhile until I can settle into a place.

Thanks for any input you can provide - I have goggled websites, etc to try to get ideas but I haven't really found anything that has "hit home" with me.

[Aliakey]

I work nights only (EMS). I can't even handle day shifts... too many people on the road, too many sober people, etc. I gotta have my drunks, assaults, women in labor, and midnight bathsalt patients, lol!

It was rough for the first six months or so, but some things that helped me adjust:

* Black out curtains for your sleeping area is a must. I also run a small fan for the white noise and to keep the room cooler feeling, as my family are awake and very active during the day.

* Try not to eat or drink an hour or so before hitting the sack. Nothing worse than getting up in the middle of your "night" to pee, and finding that the bright sun wants to rudely wake you up as you stagger into the bathroom. I have seriously considered a bedside commode, lol!

* Remind family and friends that unless they want a 2 am call from you in 12 hours, to please not make any phone calls at 2 pm.

* Take a short nap right before shift if you can.

* Carry a granola bar or other somewhat-healthy snack for any midnight hunger attacks. Almonds as an ingredient are great for me.

* You can live a daytime life on your days off; you don't have to be nocturnal all of the time. Just try to get that nap in at the same time day off or working day so you stick to some type of schedule.

* I actually feel younger working nights then when I did working days. I don't think my health has suffered from the switch. Just watch the snacking doesn't get out of control.

* Don't beat yourself up if nights simply don't work out for you... some have stronger needs to sleep at night and remain awake during the day than others. If your body tells you that you were truly meant to be a day shift person, then so be it.

* When the night seems tough, remember that the shift differential pay is a nice bonus, lol!

Hope it helps!

[crichards00]

I've been working third shift for about 3 months now and it certainly is a hard adjustment. It is much easier without a husband and kids... Anyways, I certainly agree with blackout shades and no eating or drinking before bed. Just this morning I went to sleep ~7:30am and woke up at 9:30 to pee... couldn't fall back asleep until 5pm!

Expect to feel tired most of the time for a while, but you'll get used to it. Eat small snacks at work-lots of carrots, celery, cauliflower-veggies that are finger food.

I only work PT graves (thursday, friday, saturday nights) so I return to a 'normal' schedule during the week.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I've worked permanent nights for 2 years and I love nights. As mentioned, blackout curtains, turn your phone off, and, most importantly, you need to sleep during the day. I sleep from 1030-1730. If you aren't sleeping during the day, you won't adjust well to nights. Also, don't overdo the caffeine.

[chrisrn24]

I just started working nights in August...I was working nearly 80 hours/pay period training but now I am part-time at about 24 hrs/pay period. I am adjusting okay. I was worried too about not being able to sleep during the day...but I can! I have darkening curtains and I wear earplugs and when I get home I crash.

Before I work a night shift, I either nap or lay down and read in bed for an hour or so around 8 PM, and I get up at 9 to get ready for work. I drink a cup or two of coffee at the beginning of my shift, and then water after. I am never tired or in danger of falling asleep.

Eating...if I'm coming on to a night shift, I eat normally during the day, and then eat a meal during my break at work, and then don't eat again until I wake up the next afternoon. From then on, I'll eat a meal when I wake up, at dinner, and then in the middle of my shift. I actually have more problems with eating when I'm not working than when I do work. I'm just not in the mood for certain meals and snacks in the middle of the night.