Night shift and sleep? Do you get any?

[cassioo]

I usually only sleep about 5 hours a night but when I work nights I only sleep 5 hours a day and it's not the same 5 hours of sleep I don't do nights well anymore getting to old for it. But after several years in nursing I only do a night shift about once per year when all the night shift people ask off at the same time.

[cougarnurse]

the first two times I did 11-7's, my schedule was pretty much static (Sun-Thurs). The last time I worked 'em it changed to Sat-Thurs, one week, then Mon-Thurs the next. Am on 'days' right now; miss my 3-11's!

[kimmiejs]

Originally Posted by hammerz

I know as a new graduate you usually start out with the night shift, I have never worked at night and would love any suggestions. How do you stay alert? Do you sleep the whole day before your first shift for the week? I already have a dark bedroom but are there any other tricks to getting your body used to sleeping in the day?

Years ago I worked nights. Luckily back then I was single and lived alone. I was a charge RN on the surgical floor and for the most part I worked 7P to 7A Wed-Fri nights. On Tuesday night I would stay up late- past 4 AM and I would sleep until 2:00 PM. I would stay up doing house work so when I hit the bed I was ready for sleep. On my off days I would stay up late and get up late. If I had any appointments I would schedule them after 3:00 PM if at all possible. I would keep my cell phone close by in case of emergencies but my the ringer on my home phone would be off and the answering machine would be in my office with the volume turned off. I had tinting applied to my bedroom windows and over this I had blinds and curtains. When I closed my door my bedroom was pitch black. I also played white noise in the background. On my front door I had a notice that solicitors were not welcome and to please not ring the doorbell. I too would eat a normal breakfast before going to work. I would take my lunch with me. On days that I had to be back at work I would have a light meal when I got home. I always made sure to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep in between shifts....Working nights this is a must. It is kind of ironic that now when I am on 7A-7P shift because of my responsibilities with my twins I rarely get 6 hours of sleep between work shifts.
I hope this helps

One more thing.... caffeine. I had to cut off all caffeine after 2 or 3 AM otherwise I would not be able to fall asleep once I got home. I would be too wired.