Night Shift tip! Don’t split up your days. Here’s why

[lindasulla]

Nights for 30 years as a Respiratory Therapist. I've been retired for 4 years now. I'm almost caught up on my sleep. I'll keep you posted!

[MzShonuff]

I stack my days together to avoid this. My boss thinks I’m nuts but it’s easier than flipping sleep back and forth

[rolandviado]

This is so true. I work overnights at a warehouse. I ended up just keeping my sleep schedule the same to avoid all this, meaning sleep all day, be awake at night, even on days off. End result: no friends or social life!!! YAYYYY

[coachkenpachi]

You are speaking the truth. And then management has the audacity to schedule you on a day shift like my sleep isn't already backwards

[holliberry]

Which is why I worked weekend nights for years. Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights. Napped Friday afternoon...came home slept Sat and Sunday, waking up for work. And Monday, napped till 11 or 2, got back on track....until the next Friday. Worked for raising kids....hubby had them for the weekend...and I had them for the week, while he was at work. A parent was always present. Great for them.

[VirgoSaffire]

Nightshifter for 13 years! You're absolutely correct. Finally transitioning to days. 🤞🏾

[SimplyMee..]

She is not lying … I’m at work right now staring at the clock..
I do the same thing .. I work MTW ( 12 hour shifts ) … Just so I could have the end of the week to myself.

[tempestmiranda]

Agreed. Three nights in a row is the only way to go!

[ahnyoungg]

Thank you :) As a new grad starting night shift in the ICU, I will keep this in mind!

[MommaNurse]

Yupp I worked night shift for 5 years. I always did my shifts straight. After my last shift I would stay up until my children napped at 1pm and then would go to bed early that night to get back on a regular schedule until the next time I work.

[renainsworth]

This is so true! When I was on nights I hated having only 1 day (night) off in-between shifts because it was like having no time off. I worked nights for 2 years and that whole time feels just like a blur due to the perpetual exhaustion and lack of any normal routine. Although I would much rather have fake "days off" and be exhausted then work day shift on a med-surg floor.

[elhombrebilingue]

Currently closing in on 30 years of nightshift work. The advantage is that I don't have trouble falling asleep at any time of the day. Looking to end the cycle of madness later this year. 😅

[EnieT]

I am a night shift cop aka 12 to 16 hours a night 5 to 7 days a week (+ day time court). I don't bother ever switching to a day shift schedule even for my days off. In the past year I only stayed awake though 10 days the entire year by choice. 5 of those where on vacation and the other 5 where special occasions like weddings. It is like living in a subculture, but honestly you get used to it and learn to meet your day shift friends in the middle. It can be a little isolating at first, but you learn to love it.

[caitlynlewis]

The unfortunate reality is that night shifters have to choose whether to sacrifice their mental or physical health for their job. When I worked nights, I still slept 8 hours and slept at the same time every day, even on my off days, which was better for my physical health. But, I spent my off days alone at night which really affected my mental health. It takes a special person to make night shift work.

[cygnals]

I worked night shift for 30 years. My wife and I choose to never have child care so we worked separate shifts. Me, being a Night Owl, my parents gave me this nick name as a baby and toddler add I was alway awake after midnight. This schedule continued on through all of my school years as well. I am retired now and I am still awake every evening and usually go to bed when the birds stay chirping. I had to keep the same sleeping schedule on my days off or it didn't go as smooth. I found that keeping the same sleeping & eating routine was the key for me. I also exercised and went on walks as well. The only time I had trouble was a 3 year period in my early 30s when I started drinking alcohol quite heavy after work. I also gained weight. When I quit alcohol and smoking cigarettes I lost any weight I gained and everything went smoothly again. For me I had to keep the same routine and I also enjoy being awake after midnight. If someone hates being awake at that time it will probably be tougher for then to adapt.

[priscilam.]

I work as night auditor in a hotel so my schedule is roughly 7 hours per night. It is my day off and I slept so hard I couldnt get out of bed. I admire you guys doing 12 hour shifts! I really do!

[shanabishop]

I told my DON to schedule me every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday night. Because nobody usually wants every weekend. And nurses were always squabbling over weekends off. The Beauty in this is I had the rest of the week off four days straight.Everyone was really snide and judgmental at first when I suggested it.(I faced a lot of nurse bullying and racial discrimination at this job ) like I was being a fool but it was really awesome schedule and the weekends are great to work. I could be with my kids and be present for things. My weekend was Friday and Saturday morning.After I left the job another nurse took my schedule and worked it out for years and I believe she still has a schedule to this day. The other nurses didn’t wanna acknowledge it also benefited them. but AnyWho I hope someone else sees this and maybe they can use it to get though Night Shift a little bit easier 😊

[eas]

Yeah, we sleep like a regular person on our weekend because we aren't getting sleep during our week.
Utterly despise graveyard shift. There is so much OT I want to work, but I sleep maybe 3-4 hours. Not enough for me to function and pick up more shifts.

[shii]

Night shift, Armed Security for a decade. 3 years in I gave up on trying to readjust to days on my days off. Too much effort and it took too much time. Now I only get up "early" for doctor appointments.

[Shinuchiha_]

Traveling CNA in the state of Colorado and I work graveyard.. I love it!! I treat my nights like my days and my days like my nights.. I’m really good at working on little to no sleep too.. guess that’s just how I was born.. I love this job and it makes me satisfied when I get to see the smiles on my residents faces.. all worth it to me 😊❤👵🏻👴🏻