How do you deal with rotating day and night shift every week or 2? I feel like a zombie and have stomach pain/nausea and headaches.
Don’t do it and do not feel pressured to do so. You will get sick! I always emphasize “not negotiable”. I was on contract once and was approached that my shifts would rotate from day shifts one week and night shifts the other. I said that “breached contract” and today was my last day. They said they would contact my agency due to my refusal, i stated “do as you please” that day was my last day. Just before the end of my shift I was offered to continue my contract without “shift rotations” the moral of the story is “do not let any job permanent or contract control you or your health” it is not worth it. Stand up for yourself, call their bluff, and please stay healthy.
Ask the manager or staffer to change your schedule to something that suits your body stat. Or change positions.
Don’t rotate anymore. It will take a toll on you. Pick one and stick with it. Trust me, been there
I did NOC for 1.5 years. That was enough. find something new. 3rd shift work is recognized as a probable carcinogen by CDC, IARC, NIH and WHO.
Quit. That shift rotation will kill you. There are other jobs out there!
I’d find another job if they can’t accommodate one shift or the other on a consistent basis. Too much flip flopping will take more of a toll on you, then could eventually lead to unsafe practices on your patient’s behalf. I hope this helps.
The reality of nursing and healthcare in general, is that it is a 24 hour duty. Someone has to do the “odd” shift. At the same time, the beautify of nursing is that you can pick what suits you at every and different times of one’s life. If you are finding the night shift unbearable, discuss with your boss as the first step. If that does not work, consider changing unit or department. If that does not work, change jobs. The decision to take any of the above steps depends on factors like: how much do you like the job and the people you work with? So you need to sit down to do a soul search to arrive at the best decision. Don’t forget, you have to do what is best for you. If after all said and done and you still cannot figure out what to do, there are other alternatives to working at the bedside. As a nurse, I am here to let you know that there are so many areas outside the bedside where you can function. You are not and should not be restricted to the bedside. Open your mind and embrace the wider horizon. For more info contact me at 888-509-5256 or [email protected]
There are some things that can help but if they do not work, listen to your body. Your good health is more important than this particular job. There are a LOT of nursing jobs currently open nationwide. That being said, try these things:
-when you need to sleep, place your phone into “sleep mode” so calls and message alerts do not wake you up
-use black out curtains or shades in your bedroom windows to completely block all light in your bedroom.
-as difficult as it is, do not drink any caffeine within 6 hours of needing to go to bed
- do not look at any screens, phone, TV, tablet etc. within one hour of going to bed.
-Do not eat a heavy meal within two hours of sleeping.
-practice deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help you relax and let the stress out
-if possible try to work a job that you only have work days OR nights but not rotate between them.
I hope this helps. Stay healthy.
Just need to caught up some sleep
I only had to rotate but on a monthly base days to nights while in the military.. I think it is very unhealthy and should be either day, evening, or night shift. Messes up with you body and mind too much. Honestly I would look for another job that has more stability and looks out for your mental and physical health. However, new nurses had to do night shift at first, but then always found evenings or days after 2 years or less when I first started nursing in 1989. Some nurses or other health care provides do like and prefer night shift.
