Working the night shift

NoviceRN10 · Dec 3, 2009

I have been working nights (7-7) for 6 months. I don't always eat dinner before I go in, I am usually able to eat whatever I bring between 9-10 pm, after all my patient assessments are done and charted. I will then eat something else when I get a break, around 1 or 2 am. I take a lot of food with me, it keeps me going . I like having something yummy to look forward to :BDCk: Some of the nurses on my unit will bring a whole 2 liter of Coke and use that as a stimulant. I get home around 7:40 and I wash my face and take 5mg of Ambien to help me sleep. If I don't use a sleep aid I will only sleep 3 hrs and I try to get 5-6 so I can get up and go back in to work (or just be able to function the rest of the day). I tried using Benadryl to help me sleep, but it just made me have to get up and pee. Not sure if that was because I had drank a lot during my shift. Maybe I should try it again. I don't like taking anything, but I need to sleep, at least while I'm still finishing school for the next couple weeks :specs: .

foreverLaur · Dec 3, 2009

I hear a lot of people needing sleep aids to help them sleep after a night shift. I must be weird because I pass out around 8am and if no one bothers me, I won't wake up until until 8pm.

NoviceRN10 · Dec 3, 2009

I hear a lot of people needing sleep aids to help them sleep after a night shift. I must be weird because I pass out around 8am and if no one bothers me, I won't wake up until until 8pm.

If I didn't have kids and a husband to worry about I'd probably sleep that well too .

foreverLaur · Dec 3, 2009

But I do have a second full time job and a full time school schedule to worry about. Not remotely related, but still should keep me up worrying. For some reason... nothing will keep me up. I have the opposite of a sleep disorder.

New 2 iceeYouRN · Dec 4, 2009

Wow, I've been doing night shifts off and on for about 4 years now. It's HARD! I work only part time so that's 2 12hr shifts fri/sat night. I have nursing school mon-thurs. On my thursday nights I switch my schedule around. I end up taking a nap during the day sometime or even the early evening and stay up as late as possible. This ensures that I can sleep during the day for the night I have to work.

If you get a good nights sleep sometimes you don't even need caffeine! Just remember it can be hard to sleep during the day with the sun light shining in so consider some paper sun shades to go in between the blinds and your window. They're nice because the come with little clips to keep them pulled up during times when you are a day person.

Food

This is hard. I've done it all... typically I like to wake up (around 5 pm) eat a light bfast which may be like half a sandwhich and an apple or something like that. Then I'm at work by 7 and typically around 10 I'm hungry again. Then eat a small snack like yogurt and cheese or whatever is light. I find it best if you save your big meal for around 2-3 AM. The later you put off your lunch the faster your night seems to go. Now try not to over do it because thats when you could feel your worst. So have a normal lunch sized meal. Last when you get off you may be hungry. You havent ate much during the night so have a good meal then too if you need one. I still like to eat bfast in the morning hours (even though it's night).

Hope this helps some..

knittingmonster · Dec 4, 2009

No advice as I've never worked night shift, but I would like to hijack your thread here!

How do you maintain a family life while working nights? I figure you do see them on your days off, but how do you spend daytime with them and still maintain a somewhat regular sleep schedule?

foreverLaur · Dec 4, 2009

All the nurses I work with have families and they sleep while their husbands are at work and their kids are at school... usually from 9am to 3pm or so.

kcochrane · Dec 4, 2009

That's what I do. If I was working days, I wouldn't be home anyways. On my nights off, I still stay up until 2 or 3 and get up around 10ish.

To the op, trying gradually staying up later and later each day before you have to go. Make sure you get your sleep the next day and don't skimp in order to get things done. Eat well and drink your caffeine early on. It takes an hour to work and could last at least 3-6 hours. I personally think its hard to just do nights for a few times as opposed to working night for 3 years, but I know its what you have to do.

Good luck!