Working Nights

Nursie30 · Apr 11, 2004

I worked nights and prefered doing that, like you said saved on babysitting etc....

I liked it because if there was something I really had or wanted to do, I would just stay up, and get it done, and adjusted my body to needing very little sleep, the weekends are the same as usual I found...never needed to stay up late, or sleep in, and enjoyed the xtra time and the money I saved.

Heartattaq · Apr 11, 2004

I worked full time for about a year straight. After about 4 weeks I was able to get off work at 7 am stay up until 3 or 4 pm, and then sleep from then until I had to go to work for the next night shift. So my body got quite used to it. But I am sure it is relative for everyone.

nekhismom · Apr 11, 2004

It can be a juggling act, but lots of nurse-moms seem to do it. Not having to deal with daycare is a big factor. If you do a search on night shift, you will find LOADS of advice. Best of luck!

suzanne4, RN · Apr 11, 2004

It does take some time to get used to, but if you are able to get in an extra nap when your son is sleeping, then you should be okay..........your body will tell you...........

Good luck........... :balloons:

skanded · Apr 11, 2004

Thank you all. I will do a search and find some more advice. I appreciate it! :)

Gompers, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2004

But I am wondering how difficult it will be to function during the day on the weekends to be with them. Plus then being on a regular schedule during the week but switching again for the weekend.

I hope you're not planning on working weekend nights AND spending most of the day awake with your family. Especially when you first start working as a nurse, it is emotionally, intellectually, and physically exhausting! You'll need to get at least 4-5 hours of good sleep between shifts. If you're only working 8 hour nights then it's easier to have some time for sleep and some time for family between shifts - but if you're doing all 12 hour shifts then you really don't enough time for anything more than a family dinner before you leave for work or a family breakfast when you get home. It's tough, but you have to make the choice between working mainly during the week and having your child in daycare for a few hours per day, or working all weekend shifts and missing out of that family time. I see way too many nurses who use night shift to cure child-care problems (which in itself is a fine idea) but then they don't ever sleep during the day between shifts! It's not fair to them, their families, and especially to their patients. If you only work one night here and there, it's usually fine. But it's all too common to see people work back-to-back night shifts for 2-3 days in a row and NEVER sleep more than an hour a day! I hope you find a solution that works for your family - just remember that the great thing about nursing is that you can usually find a schedule with enough flexibilty to meet yoru needs. GOOD LUCK!!!

walterrn · Apr 11, 2004

I wouldn't do any other shift. I get a $6.00/hr diff for noc; no doctors, no administration, minimal client care (although that can change real fast). It took a little while to adjust my internal clock to nights, but what I do now is work and sleep on my days on, and when I go into my days off (4 tens on, 3 days off), I sleep for about three hours, get up, and am able to spend quality time with the Mrs and kids. Then on my return day, I sleep for about 4-5 hrs before going to work and I'm set for another week. Hope this helps.

Walter the Nurse

Just wondering if it is really hard to get used to working nights then functioning during the day.
My son will be 28 months when I graduate. We really do not want him in daycare and our sitter may not be available too much longer after that. My DH and I have talked about me working weekend nights so Andy will only have to be with a sitter for a few hours on Fri and Mon.
But I am wondering how difficult it will be to function during the day on the weekends to be with them. Plus then being on a regular schedule during the week but switching again for the weekend.
This seems like the best option for us, little childcare, more money.
Thanks for any info anyone can provide.