I work night shifts as an RN. How unhealthy is this?

Question

My sleep schedule is very wacky. I don't have children so that's not a worry but I wonder if I'm overdoing it, aging myself prematurely. I think my blood pressure has gone up too and I'm only 27! Any RN's or medical workers with input? How worth it is it?

Answer 1

You're an RN and you don't know the answer to a question regarding work/sleep cycles and health....


You simply solidify my opinion of most RNs

{edit} I'll use this forum to respond to your e-mail since you do not accept e-mails from other users.

So everyone can see what kind of a person you are, I have copied your e-mail to me below...

From: Monique G

Subject: thanks for the info

Message: The older generation of docs that you are a part of are generally pompous and overcompensating. Why did you go to med school? To make daddy proud, the money, or some much needed confidence? Enjoy your lifetime of debt and your struggle to feel like a man.

My response.....

I find it amazing that a person who is in a field supposedly dedicated to compassion could be so objectively venomous. FYI I have no aspirations of pleasing my father and not subject to blunt Freudian attacks by those who are obviously not my equal. Nor do I need the money or the compensation. You know nothing about me and are making a blind attack. Your question and aggressive attitude simply proves to me that I'm right about you specifically, and most nurses in general. Angry, pampered, underworked, self righteous and overpaid. Go cry to your union about your work hours.

To quote you from a previous question you have answered regard chosing between money and family, you said, "I would consider this if it were for a lot more money. 144,000 a year isn't that much to lose time you will never get back with your family."

You write something like this and have the audacity to question my motivation and family relationships. Interesting to say the least.

Considering you probably work 1/4 the time of the average medical staff, you need to get over yourself, you're not that important. There are thousands of nurses who enjoy their work who would gladly take your place.

Your immature attack on me again, solidifies my opinion of most nurses. My suggestion to you would be to grow up.

I could easily ask why you went to nursing school... however I'm sure I wouldn't be surprised at the answer. Nor do I really care, you have proven who you are to me. Enjoy your lifetime of servitude and anger.

Answer 2

I work graveyard shift and I don't do too bad with it. I have trained my body to sleep during the day at around the same hours each day so it has a schedule. As long as you can maintain it, you should be alright. It's hard when you have to hold over or come in early but if you can keep it to around the same 12 hour schedule each day, your body should start maintaining it naturally. It's a matter of training and sticking to it. I think it's worth it, but that's me and I love this time of night. Good question!!!

Answer 3

I too used to be a Nurse on night shift and it does wack your body up. Heart rate increases and can pose a serious threat of heart attack because the body's time clock is out of sync.
The feeling I would get when I got home was almost addictive because I felt like I was drunk when I was overly tired instead.
My advice is to rotate your nights with days. Maybe 1 week of night duty then 1 week of days. That was the advice given to me.
Good luck!

Answer 4

My mom is also an RN, plus she works night shift in the ER, plus she had me and my bro to take care of. Its a crazy lifestyle, cause she spends most of her days sleeping, and works almost every night. NOT GOOD because he has begun to have heart problems. But she is way too used to it to make a change, and also in her 40's. I really really suggest you switch to day shift. You are still young, you can make the transition more easily now than if u decide to do it later on in your life. Good luck and take it easy, hun.