Working nights

[tres]

OCUK, i am working my first night shifts tomorrow (having worked a normal day today).

What techniques do you shift workers have to switch between days & nights? Any tips?

 

[tres]

4 nights, 8pm-8am

then 5 days off

then another 4 nights

 

[tres]

How many nights will you do in total? I generally do mostly night shifts at my work (HCA in the local hospital) and for my first night shift (usually do 3-4 in a row) I tend to get up fairly early in the morning, 6-7, get some things done (house work, cleaning etc) just to get me doing something during the morning. Then at around lunch time (12ish) I might have something light to eat and head back to bed and get up around 17.30-18.00 depending on what time I start (generally I start at 20.00 but might be already at 19.15 if I work extra on another ward).

That sounds nice and sensible. I usually get up at 6.30am anyway so might stay up a little later and get up a little earlier, then try and sleep all afternoon

 

[tres]

did shifts for years hated them

Go home at 8am target for getting to sleep for 9:30 at latest
sleep until 16:30 - 17:00
get up make/eat dinner 18:00
watch tv until 19:30 go to work

When you are off are you thinking of going back to normal day hours ? (it will wreck you)

That's what I'm really not looking forward to. The middle days.

It is what works best for me at least. I have collegues that will get up around 14-15.00 for a night shift (some will have families to deal with, others are just plain stupid) and then complain about being tired all night I do tend to struggle to go to bed when I plan to for various reasons though, but when I do, it works pretty well. What kind of work will you be doing?

I've fitted blackout material in the spare room and have ear plugs, the missus has been told not to disturb!
Doctor

 

[tres]

wow. where do you work? i wanna join lol

We were scheduled for 3 1-9pm shifts in that week off which I got covered

Best advice I've received regarding night shifts is get out immediately!

No amount of money is worth it, unless you're doing it short term. I did nights for 3 years and never again, the money is fun at first but your social life and body will suffer no matter what you do.

Blackout curtains, no caffeine/supplements, no alarms on off days, try and keep to a regular eating plan, use night mode on any devices that have it, and make sure you get some sun to keep your vitamin D up.

I'll have done for the next 4 years. One or two stretches a month. No choice in this industry!

 

[tres]

Not massively looking forward to going back to a full shift pattern in April, but needs must.

Where are you working @tres?

Copied from Dr House’s thread:


My plan for nights -
Don't try to adjust before your shifts by staying up late. Get a good night sleep and don't set an alarm on the first day. Boozing is a bad idea - starting nights hungover is the worst! Get up at your leisure and go to the gym and do some life admin tasks that you wouldn't get to do normally in the week. I don't usually find it helpful to nap before the shift. A proper dinner and relax before works just as well. Bring food in with you and make sure you eat it and stay well hydrated. Get to bed straight away after you get home.

Once the shifts start I always make sure I don't have any big plans or extra curricular work planned. Rotating between nights and days is hard enough.

The last day either stay up or sleep for a couple of hours to adjust back faster. Do something fun post nights.

Good luck!

Many thanks
A DGH in the north east