Working overnight shifts

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2007

It isn't as bad as you think it is. It took me a couple of weeks to adjust. I was not wanting to work nights at all, but I am glad I do now. I love the crew on nights, I love the pace, it is busy but not overwhelmingly busy. Where I work, the night shift doesn't have to work weekends, which is one of the biggest perks. At first, I was just surviving nights until a day position came open but now I am not so sure I want to work days.

loricatus · Apr 21, 2007

I do not know how much time you have to do this. If it is only a few days, then 1) Start forcing yourself to stay up as late as you can (caffeine helps with this), 2) Darken all windows in the bedroom (room darkener blinds, black plastic bags, etc.), 3) Keep the bedroom cool and well ventilated (a fan helps not only for this but as white noise), 4) Turn off all phones. Make it clear to family, friends, and on your front door that you are a night worker and cannot be disturbed during the day (the threat of calling them at 3AM during the middle of your new schedule may help), 5) Sleep as late as you can. If you have to get up, hydrate and try to go back to sleep (in the beginning you will probably toss and turn; but, remember you are trying to train your body to do something it isn't used to), 6) Take your break as late as possible. I remember reading about a study that showed a 3AM nap for about 20 min was restorative. Sleep is the most important thing IMO, then comes proper nutrition.

When you have 3 in a row, don't plan for anything except to go home, have a very light meal, sleep, wake-up and go back to work. Also, on your days off, don't completely revert back to a day schedule.

Welcome to the nocturnal world

GeminiTwinRN, BSN · Apr 21, 2007

I'm 3 months into working nights and still having a hard time adjusting. It's especiallly hard when you have children, as I do. I have a 9 yr old boy who has baseball practices and games, etc. And being single doesn't help matters!

I would agree with the room darkening blinds. I have GOT to do this!! And the phone thing... well, people call. At least, they call me. I have a 2nd cordless in my bedroom, and just unplugging it doesn't work. It still rings, from the battery back-up. I'm planning to get a corded phone in there so I can unplug it and it won't ring.

Good luck! :)

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Apr 21, 2007

I have a 2nd cordless in my bedroom, and just unplugging it doesn't work. It still rings, from the battery back-up. I'm planning to get a corded phone in there so I can unplug it and it won't ring.

Why don't you just take the handset out of the room? Put it under a cushion on the sofa or inside a kitchen cupboard!

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 22, 2007

I bought cordless phones with a DND (do not disturb) feature - that stays on while I sleep. It still allows people to call and leave msgs. on the answer machine, but the phone doesn't ring. The school and my husband are the only people that have my cell phone # (work DOES NOT) and therefore I know if they call while I am sleeping - it's an emergency. I sleep better knowing that if there is a problem, someone can find me and get a hold of me. Before I did the cell phone thing I would wake up 14 times a day checking my answering machine.

I have trained all friends/family to not call and/or stop by until after 5 p.m. unless they want me to show up at their house and/or call in the middle of the night while they are sleeping. For the most part, this works. It's confusing to them though because I work 11a-11p as well as 7p-7a

I have curtains that are room darkening but then I can open them on my days off. I need light on my days off in order to function. I also spend a lot of time outside on my days off, enjoying the sunshine. I have been known to fall asleep outside before under a tree....just to get some fresh air

I work 3 in a row when I work nights so that I have a few days off before I have to revert back to the up all night thing. Yes, I am exhausted after my 3rd day - but I am exhausted after 3 days regardless if I work days, 11-11 or nights.

I walk at least 1-2 miles every single day and I also drink tons and tons of water, especially when I have to work. I also eat as healthy as possible and I stay away from all candy and/or sugar at 3 a.m. when I am the most tired.

When I work, all I do is eat, sleep and work with sleep being a big priority. The laundry, dishes and cooking does not happen on those days - I do that stuff on my days off.

I like nights, I like the patients, the slower pace and my co-workers at night. Plus the money is awesome.

SanskeetRN · Apr 24, 2007

These are great ideas. Does anyone work split day/nights and how do you adjust to that? I will be 50/50 days/ nights and work every other weekend. I know that every other weekend will rotate shifts but not sure how the weeks will be arranged yet. I'm only doing this until my youngest is in school full time next year and then will most likely switch to straight nights.