worrying....

Published

Specializes in post-op.

Has anyone thought they could do nights and then tried and realized that they could not. I started my job in June and oriented on days/evenings, Prior to starting nursing I have always worked a day job. This week I started to orient to nights and already I feel like I want to give up. On my days off I cant stay awake late enough and then I end up waking up too early. I am so weepy all of a sudden. Am I not giving it enough of a try? I took the night position because the manager that hired me said I could do 3 12's. Now there is a different manager in charge who I am not a hundred percent sure will let me do 12's. She does not like 12 hour shifts. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case Management.

I had the same problem when I graduated school. My 2 week orientation on nights was torture! I simply never stayed awake (on purpose) before and felt that night turn was a shift I would never be able to work.

Then after my children were born and I went back to work, I could not work steady days, and my husband at the time worked steady afternoon shift so 3-11 was not an option for me. So I chose steady nights mainly because it was only part time and it was the only option that made sense with my school age children. I was afraid initially that I would not be able to do it. But I surprised myself and ended up going full time steady nights for a while. I liked the shift differential and I really liked the slower pace and availabliity of charts. Less contact with doctors was a plus also.

I think you should give it time, if this is the shift you choose to work steady. I thought at first that I could not possibly work nights because of how bad I felt staying up all night long. But I actually enjoyed it in the end.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, , Home health, Education.

I started on nights as well. I think you just need to find your own routine- many of us that did nights had different routines. I didn't have kids at the time and I would sleep until afternoon. Then I could get other jobs done in the day time but I usually took about an hour nap before I went back to work that night. Also, when I had the day off I would only sleep about 3 or 4 hours and then stay up. Give it a little time. It took me awhile to adjust too. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

I too wasn't doing nights well at all, and with lack of sleep schedule and the complete dismantling of my day to make up for night duty...my family was suffering, I was suffering, nothing was getting done (my hubby is a paramedic with a horrid schedule too)...well I was crying much of the day/night in a depression!

I did some soal searching and finally admitted that this was NOT for me, that and some other horrible things (like Natzieque managment, nasty and cranky co-workers, and pts that told me honestly that they felt I was the only RN that got things done or cared....)I left! And I have NEVER looked back! I am so glad to be gone from that!

In order to be a good nurse, you need to make sure you are in good shape mentally and physically. Some people can't do the night shifts, some can't do 12's...and I am of the opinion that I earned a right being a professional to be able to have some say over when I can do things best and when I will work.

If I am doing well, my patients are doing well...that is a win win and worth seeking an employer that appreciates that!~

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

I worked nights for about 2 years in a row and it just killed me. I was aweful to be around. I will occassionally do a night shift if we are in a jam, but there is no way that i could do it full time, or even part time again for that matter. Some people however love it. One of my closest friends has worked night shift for the past 15 years and she does fine. Good Luck to you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER,Neurology, Endocrinology, Pulmonology.

Orientation is probably the hardest part anyway and once you establish in your practice things may look a bit easier. working nights is not easy if your biological clock says you shouldn't.

I hope things get better for you and I'm sure they will. If not, you can always speak with your boss and tell her/him how you feel. I am sure that your manager would rather help you than be a jerk about it and risk you making a dangerous mistake because you are overtired.

good luck :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion