Starting the night shift

[EMTT760]

I'm starting a night shift 7 p.m. to 0700. This will be my first day on the job as an E.R. Tech at in a hospital. I read some tricks some nurses used, they suggested staying up late as possible and sleeping in late a few hours before my scheduled shift.

Is that generally the most accepted form that will most benefit me?

I usually try and avoid the night shift on the ambulance. But as the FNG, I'll take what I can

 

[Smitty213]

Trying to keep your sleep/wake cycle in line with your work schedule is usually a good start, other than that, coffee will be your best friend, not Monster or any of the other sugar packed caffeine drinks; try to embrace the night as much as possible, it gets easier if you at least pretend to like it; at first, do your best to keep busy because your body is going to want to crash otherwise.

 

[MMiz]

I worked the midnight shift as a part-timer/PRN.

This is going to sound funny, but those that worked a midnight shift regularly would change their lives to that the night was their "day." They woke up at 4:00 PM or later for their 7:00 PM shift.

I always thought it was funny getting on the rig with them and they'd genuinely wish me a good morning. When we signed of the radio with dispatch at 7:00 AM they'd say "Have a good night" to the dispatcher as if it were the norm.

They'd rely on soda and coffee to stay awake at times, but that was it. After a while their bodies were on the night shift schedule and all was good.

Good luck!

 

[shfd739]

I did nights exclusively for about 5 years till I got to where I couldn't handle the day sleeping.

What worked best for me was changing my routine to being awake most nights and sleeping all day. I followed the same routine I did for days just flipped the times. For my 1730 shift I got up around 1545-1600 then would go to bed around 0900.

Blackout curtains to darken the bedroom made sleep much easier.

 

[akflightmedic]

I worked weekend nights for several years on a hospital job many moons ago. Basically I worked every Fri, Sat and Sun....I absolutely loved it.

I kept my normal schedule during the week...example, on Fridays I was awake at 0600, took a normal nap somewhere around 1200-1300 (slept no more than an hour) and then I worked my first night. Yes, I was get tired but this is what worked for me. When I got home Saturday morning, there was no issue falling asleep and I would get up around 1700 feeling good and ready for a full night. I did the same for Sunday night.

When I got home Monday morning...I would then stay away. I always had plenty of errands to do, gym time, etc but I would not go to sleep. I would take a short nap and then inevitably I would go to bed earlier than normal (usually around 2000). By Tuesday morning I was back to normal so I essentially had 4 days to look forward to of nothing but personal time. It worked great.

I was not a coffee drinker then and I had not consumed caffeine for years prior to this, so I did not start back on it. I just stayed smart with rest, exercise and food choices cause it all will impact how and when you sleep when working screwy schedules.

 

[twistedMP]

I did nights for 2.5 years as a cabbie before coming to ems. I slept during the day and was up all night usually woke up at 4-5 pm went to bed about 9am.
it takes some getting used to but after a while it almost becomes normal