working 3rd shift for the first time

TazziRN, RN · May 25, 2008

Keep busy all night, don't sit for too long.....especially after 0300.

2006RNCS · May 25, 2008

Hey everyone. I"m working 3rd shift tonight to help out staffing. I've never done it before. Wish me luck.... My boyfriend and I stayed up all night last night fishing in a tournament so I slept from 9-3 today... I couldn't sleep anymore so hopefully I won't be too exhausted...
Any tips on staying awake... Right now my plan is caffeine... :)
Tiger

Hello! I worked 2 yrs of 3rd shift. I couldn't do it anymore. Like was said, keep on the move! My "sleepy" time was 2-4 AM. After that, I would get my second wind. Lots of caffeine helps, too. Some people bring reading materials, but that just makes me sleepier. If it is a big unit, walk a few laps, and you get your exercise in too! Good luck to you tonight!:heartbeat

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · May 25, 2008

Speed walk a few laps of the unit, run the steps a floor or two, eat a meal that will help you with alertness plus healthy things to snack on. I pack a protein serving, a carb serving, and two fruit and veggie servings. A spicy dip for the veggies helps and yogurt to dip the fruit in. If I have a bath or dressing changes to do I plan those for my sleepy time which is 3am to 4am. Stay hydrated too, drink lots of water it seems to help me. The coffee acts as a diuretic and you become dehydrated easier than you realize. Oh yeh, offer to help another nurse with patient care, the conversation we have seems to wakes me up a bit.

nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN · May 26, 2008

What I found, also, was that some proton pump inhibitor of your choice helps; I stayed nauseated the first couple of weeks as my stomach tried to decided if it was breakfast/lunch/dinner time. For me, I also found that eating right after the 2200 med pass, rather than 2 or 3 am helped me not wake up starving for "supper" at 3 am on my days off. I haven't had to worry about being sleepy the last couple of weeks, we've been on diversion 45% of the time.

Schnickerdoodle · May 26, 2008

I hate night shift, it messes up everything. The first day off is not really a day off since you sleep all day. But of course someone has to work this shift since the patients need 24/7/365 care.

So thanks to all of you who work nights! :bow:

november17, ASN, RN · May 26, 2008

I worked nights on and off. I just got off a yearlong stint on nights. My advice is to avoid caffeine and just keep moving. Caffeine has a rebound effect and will make you more tired!!!! Eat a nice balanced meal for lunch. And again, keep moving!! don't sit down for too long. Find something to do.

shoegalRN, RN · May 26, 2008

OMG! I am totally feeling everyone who posted in this thread! I have been working nights for about 2 weeks now and I tell you it's taking a toll on my body already. I usually get home at about 0745 and then I'm up watching TV or on the internet until about 1000. Then I'll make me something to eat and then I finally lay down at about 1200. Then I'll sleep until about 1600, and then I'm up again watching TV until it's time to get ready for work.

Once at work, I'll drink a cup of coffee. I'm busy until about 2300, and then it slows down until about 0400. At that time, I'm drinking more coffee, and reading NCLEX books trying to stay awake.

I don't think I can work nights as a nurse. I was doing it to try to get my body adjusted to it. But my sleeping patterns are all out of wack. On my days off, I'm sleeping. I find if I work 3 12's in a row, then I'm spending 2 full days catching up on sleep.

I can do days or evenings, but I don't think nights are for me.

StrwbryblndRN · May 26, 2008

I love nights. Besides orientation, that's all i've worked. I just got off my 3 day in a row and feel good. Been a full year of this 3 days on/ 4 days off.

Works for me. Nothing special I do, my body adjusts fine.

TigerGalLE, BSN, RN · May 26, 2008

So i just woke up... It really was not bad at all. I enjoyed how quiet the hospital was. The nursing station was peaceful. I didn't really get tired until about 0400 and I wasn't really as tired as I was nauseous. I just felt kind of sick. I felt sick from about an hour and a half but then as I started getting busy around 0600 it went away and I didn't notice. Anyways I'm a big fan of 3rd shift. I'll probably sign up for a few shifts when needed in the future.

Tiger

Sarah Bellum · May 26, 2008

I'm looking forward to the point in my life when I can work 3rd. I work first shift now and it's always a high stress zoo with all the MDs, PTs, managers, ancillary staff, visitors, etc. running around. Once my twins start grade school I plan to go to night shift.