Anyone else work nights?

SaraRN12

I have to work tonight and I am just dreading going in.  Problem is that I always dread going into work anymore.  I recently became a night shifter and then found out I am pregnant, which I have decided is not a good combination.  I work 12.5 hour night shifts that can be physically demanding at times (pushing, pulling, lifting, and being on my feet a lot) and I just feel horrible ever since I started doing them.  I don't know if it is night shifts alone, being pregnant, or a combination of the both (probably the latter).  I just started on my unit three months ago, but I am really thinking about leaving and going to do homecare.  Five days a week, working eight hour days, and I have been told that it is not nearly as physically challenging as being a hospital nurse (It is just challenging in other ways).  I don't know, I just really think that I need to get off of these nights shifts and I think it is time to find something that is not 12.5 hour shifts.  I really do not like the thought of interviewing for a new job while newly pregant though.  I feel like I would be walking into a new job hiding something from those that hire me.

Does anyone else work nights?  If so, how is it going for you? 

emriley84

I'm a nurse also :-) I work 12hr nights, and did with my 1st preg also. My 1st preg I worked in the nicu, which wasn't very physically demanding, and I could sleep whenever so I really had no problems. And I absolutely loooooved my job, so it was easy.

After having DS I moved to mother-baby because I needed part time. Now I hate my job, and have a toddler, so I don't think things will be so easy this time.

That being said, something else to think about with working the 12hr shifts is  once the baby comes you will have more days off with baby, and need less child care. That is the only thing keeping me on this awful shift.

BabyRN2006

I'm an RN also and I work overnights. I actually don't mind them too much, but it has definitely been more difficult now that I am pregnant. I'm hoping it gets better after 1st tri. I've had many coworkers who have done it I work mom baby too, so luckily there isn't a lot of heavy lifting. I did have to call in sick today, m/s hit me today and I can barely get out of bed without being sick!

I agree with PP, the 12 hour shifts will be nice once the baby is here and I have more days off to spend with the baby. I would hate working every day and missing so much!

Good luck!

iamapixie

I am a neo RN and work 7p-7a. The third night is usually pretty brutal but thankfully my coworkers understand that I need frequent snack and pee breaks. I have actually been able to stop taking ambien to help me sleep during the day BC I'm so sleepy when I get home. I hear energy comes back in 2nd tri so hopefully it will and work will get easier. I really love having a week off at a time though. I wouldn't trade that for anything.

sararn2004

I don't work nights, I work evenings, but I totally get the heavy lifting physically demanding part. I'm an RN also, in the ER.  I think I would like 12 hours shifts after the baby is born. I worked 12's for a long time many years ago and loved only working 3 days a week. I have to admit during the m/s and fatigue part...8 hours suits me just fine. I'm actually looking for a 20-24 hour/wk position since 32 hrs has me away from the family more than I'd like. I'll tighten the purse strings...I just want to spend more time with the baby when it's born.

iamapixie

sararn2004:

I don't work nights, I work evenings, but I totally get the heavy lifting physically demanding part. I'm an RN also, in the ER.  I think I would like 12 hours shifts after the baby is born. I worked 12's for a long time many years ago and loved only working 3 days a week. I have to admit during the m/s and fatigue part...8 hours suits me just fine. I'm actually looking for a 20-24 hour/wk position since 32 hrs has me away from the family more than I'd like. I'll tighten the purse strings...I just want to spend more time with the baby when it's born.

I'm with you on that! I plan on switching to DHs insurance and going back from maternity leave prn for a year old two. 

WinterBenson

I'm an RN working rotating shifts. I work in a very small hospital/ER, in which I'm the only RN in the building, and I am partnered with an LPN. The DR is never actually in the building, but on call, about 10 minutes away. 

It can be very stressful, and always unpredictable. So far, the nights I have worked while pregnant have been very uneventful, and I've been so thankful. The place that I work is on an island, isolated from the mainland during the night, and most of the day due to the long ferry ride. We have to medivac our patients out, and we actually have to fly with them in the plane when we do, unless they are stable enough to go with just an EMT. Thankfully, I haven't had to do that yet.

I have actually had to  lay down for a nap on my nights. I usually can't even bring myself to shut my eyes, because I'm so terribly worried that someone is going to walk through the front door, and I"m going to be half asleep. The other night, I was soooo sick, my partner let me lay down for about 5 hours of my shift (it was very quiet, no one came through the ER). I'm thankful she is so understanding!! After I peeled myself off the stretcher, I walked around trying to wake myself up, and ended up dry-heaving/gagging all through the hallways.

I used to take sleeping pills every day, then I found out I was pregnant and stopped immediately, because they're not safe for the baby.  I was surprised at how well I have done so far without them! 

 Good luck with your nights!