What is one to do feeling like this?

SwansonRN · Dec 12, 2012

I feel ya. Only difference is that I rotate days and night shifts, two weeks days, two weeks nights. It's tough on the mind and body! I find that when I'm not working I barely feel like getting out of bed and getting dressed! Very unproductive.

notsurewhattodo · Dec 12, 2012

I worked the night shift right out of nursing school and continued for 3 years. It is absolutely draining. Feeling tired all the time, regardless of whether it's night or day. Never being able to enjoy a day off due to feeling tired or needing to sleep. ugh. You have my sympathies.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2012

I work nights. I sleep all day usually. Then I workout and watch tv or go online the whole night long. day after night after day of this. if i have a few days off in a row i might go shopping during the day . shop shop shop out of boredom. do you have any friends in the area? i dont but not sure if i did it would matter.most to all of my friends work days in m-f type jobs. when i want to talk to someone i cant since they are sleeping when i am up. I can see it affecting most people negatively. it is pretty isolating,but day shift was too chaotic. i get less and less productive as time goes on . all i want to do is sleep and watch tv. sometimes i work OT since i figure i will jusy be at home doing nothing

gloryfied · Dec 12, 2012

I am overwhelmed and tired. I need to find a day shift,and I will get one soon too. But feeling 55 when Im only in my early 20's is really difficult. Especially when I am capable of doing so much. Working out has become a chore, and I used to just love doing it. Shopping,as ifI need any more clothes, living in scrubs at night, and day, when I can go out, im tired and exhausted. Friends, I dont have any here, i am very independent, and although I can build friendships, there are really miserable people here, who gossip and talk about people. Thats not my crowd, and I rather keep my values, than have desperation and loneliness drive me to certain cliques.

Any who, I am faithful tho, thank you guys for your responses. Maybe a new "boo" or somethinig would be nice. lol. I just feel so disconnected with the world, and lacking interest in anything. I have an quick "i dont care" mentality, because Im too tired to think. Im afraid that I will miss out of things becaise of what this night shift does to me.

Thanks again guys,

Happy holidays

xoxo

p.s.as awkward as this may sound, it'be nice to be motivators of each other, especially if you feel the way I do. Just simply reminding eachother of being motivated. My family doesnt get the struggle, although they have tried. but its all good.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2012

It's 0130 and I'm surfing the net, reading and watching tv. I will be up until at least 0600, as I'm on permanent nights. I don't mind nights, but they definitely can feel isolating. Hang in there and start applying for other positions.

sapphire18 · Dec 12, 2012

It's 0130 and I'm surfing the net, reading and watching tv. I will be up until at least 0600, as I'm on permanent nights. I don't mind nights, but they definitely can feel isolating. Hang in there and start applying for other positions.

Same, Joanna. I am by nature a night owl, always have been, but look forward to a time when I can work "normal" hours and interact with the world. And experience sunshine again!

SCSTxRN · Dec 12, 2012

Hey guys,
Im a new grad, working for 10 mons at my current job, just wanting to get my 1 year in and move on. Working nights, has messed up my life. Anyway, what to do right? As i sit here day time, when sleep doesnt want to come, what can i really be doing?? besides working out, applying for jobs, and watching movies. I mean, i feel the worst at being son unproductive. This idleness leaves so much room for me to do things that are no good. Wow. This is a drag. The internet is not even fun anymore. so much time on my hands, trying to start my MSN, but I dont know what to do or how to start.
Am i going insane? haha. OH YES! and if I dont get a grip, someone, let me know ssomethng please.
Thanks

I crochet. This year, I made santa hats that I sell for $15 dollars each at Christmas - I could have sold twice as many. That's productive, and I like doing it, and it makes me sleepy.

NJnewRN · Dec 12, 2012

Listen, I understand what you are saying. I did it for two yrs when I first started as a nurse. I did it because I had no other choice. I had to leave my family behind and go 2000 miles away. I say just suck it up. One year goes by pretty fast. Could you apply to go back to school perhaps? I'm not sure where you in terms of a BSN? or MSN? That's a possibility. Night shift messed me up for a while. It took a long time for me to feel normal again and finally give up night shift for good. No worries. Before you know it a year will have gone by fast.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2012

I cannot express the depression I have felt....far away from home, my friends, and civilization. By the time I leave here next spring, that will be 2.5 years, and well worth it. The job is fine, but it's everything else. I've travelled 3 times this year because I had to get out. We all have our limits, but if you can tolerate it a little longer, know that the end is in sight...and many of us have been there too. Nothing is forever.

amygarside · Dec 12, 2012

It can really be a drag, but hang in there, you will get use to it.

monkeybug · Dec 12, 2012

I remember feeling the way you do, OP. When I worked nights my life basically came to a standstill. All I did was lay in the bed all day, in hopes that I would eventually get enough naps in to count as real sleep. I never saw my family, never did social things, barely saw my spouse. My neurologist told me that night shifts would eventually kill me. I finallyg got enough seniority to get to days, and it made all the difference in the world.