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How should I prepare and adjust for 11pm to 7 am shift as a nurse ?


December 10th, 2024

I want a job

December 10th, 2024

I would eat breakfast when your done with your night shift.Go to sleep in the morning depending if you have kids and someone helps you adjust to your hours.I would wake for lunch ,go shopping /housework .i would lay down for 2 hours before night shift starts like a nap.It’s really up to you and what you need to do to adjust sleep pattern.

February 1st, 2025

Every nurse does it differently. I always preferred to do my shifts in a row. I would come home after my first shift, eat, shower, Benadryl, sleep. I'd have prepared a plate of food to pop in the microwave. My lunch would be packed up in the fridge, and uniform laid out. In short, I prepared for my needs ahead of time. Be prepared to feel a bit nauseous around 2-3 in the morning. Headache too. Good luck!

November 4th, 2024

I did it for 5 years and never had a problem. You have to develop a sleep routine and stick to it. I slept every day from 915 am to 340pm and I was good to go. Never took a nap before going to work, but I have a pretty high energy level,. It make time some time to adjust but after 2 or 3 weeks if you stick to regular sleep hours, you should be good to go.

November 4th, 2024

I slept with a darkened room, a fan for “white noise” phone recorder on, family & friends having my schedule. I stayed sane by strong support system that watched my schedule well. I recorded favorite TV shows & movies so my time off was filled with my favorites.
I planned to get to the unit at least 15-20 minutes early & knew I’d be at the unit 15-20 minutes after. I learned to say “no” to extra shifts & making 8 hour into 12 or 16 hours.

I had books & nursing education to read in spare moments. I had co-workers who “covered” for quick “potty breaks” as many units believe you should only go to the restroom on your 30 minute break.

I “picked the brains” of nurses floating in, as I knew I’d be the first to float out of my unit, & wanted a friendly face on other units.
I tried to stay social with other RNs in my unit. I wanted to know we could have each others’ backs.

We had a true pecking order for vacation time, holidays to work, education opportunities, you name it.
Most nurses do not get a different shift for 2-3 years.