Working Night Shift

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Aug 4, 2012

You should be fine. One shift a week is not much but it helps get your foot in the door. Several of our CNA's work 3 12's and go to school full time. It can be done and we do what we gotta do sometimes :0

KIKIBG · Aug 12, 2012

Thanks!

KIKIBG · Aug 12, 2012

Do you have any advice for working 7p-7a? I've been told not to worry about trying to sleep before the shift and not to go to bed when I get off, but rather get back to regular sleep schedule. I know it's only one night a week. You're right, "we do what we gotta do."

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Aug 13, 2012

I always sleep when I get home, and I have no problems getting back on my non work schedule sleep cycle LOL.. For an example.. The day I go back to work, I sleep til around 10-11am, wake and stay awake til I get home the following morning. Then I sleep from 9a to 3p then go back to bed at 11p waking the next day at "normal time".. I have tried to nap before work but it just doesn't work for me... Some tips for sleeping, turn your phone off....no one will understand that you worked ALL night and need sleep. Get blackout curtains for your room, a fan for a little white noise, try and eat so you don't wake early starving..

Once you start, you will figure out what works best for you.. I wish you the best :)

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Aug 13, 2012

Definitely doable. One 12-hour shift/week isn't bad and you can work on your basic skills. It will also help get your foot in the door when you graduate from your nursing program and are looking for a job!

When I worked as a PCNA, I did one 12-hour night shift/week, usually only a Friday or Saturday night. If you're not used to working nights it will take a few shifts to adjust working that schedule but you'll get used to it. It wouldn't be a bad idea to bring some school work or studying material for when you have downtime. Most people think that all we do is sit around on nights, but that isn't always true :lol2:

Things that help me:

* get some black-out curtains. If you can't get those, get an eye mask. Dark environment helps promote sleep.

* Try to stay up as late as possible the night before your shift and then go to bed in the morning. If you can't do that, go to bed, wake up really early and then take a nap during the late morning/early afternoon so that you will feel refreshed for your night at work. I sleep in the morning until around 1500-1600.

* If you drink coffee, drink it! But remember to stay hydrated, as well. I usually drink some coffee when I wake up and then drink a little while I'm at work. I cut off my caffeine supply by around 0000 so that I will be able to go to sleep in the morning.

* If you're feeling tired at work, go take a walk around the unit. Better to do that than to sit there and feel even more tired.

* Tell your friends/family/SO of when you will be sleeping. Remember, their 1pm is your 1am! I turn my phone off but all of my friends and family are very understanding of my sleeping schedule. My husband is also very quiet when he's home.

* Be sure to eat healthy. Weight gain happens when you're working nights!

* When I'm done working my 3 nights in a row, I go to bed in the morning (usually between 0800-0830, depending on when I get off from work) and then try to wake up around 1 or 2pm. If I sleep all day, I will be up all night.