Due on nightshift tonight not slept since 7am yesterday

[Nightshiftworkerhelp]

I can’t sleep! I was on nightshift last night and due in again tonight. Woke up at 7am yesterday morning but just can’t seem to relax, wasn’t able to sleep before shit again yesterday and now feel horrendous.

It’s a new temporary role and I want to make a good impression so keen not to phone in but I think I’ll need to.

I drove home this morning and nearly caused an accident (a minor one). I’m still a relatively new driver so my skills aren’t the best even when I’m at my best.

It’s a patient facing role so I’m worried about my ability to do drug calculations etc.

But I’m so worried about phoning in because I don’t want them to think I’m flaky and rubbish. I’ve been trying to sleep since 8am!

I’ve also got the added stress that I have a 17 month old who caused my DH nothing but stress and cried for a solid 4 hours last night and barely slept because I wasn’t home (I was particularly well rested to start with!). I’m so worried about him when I’m away at night .

Financially I need this job to work but it’s been a bad start but I’m worried if I go in I’ll mess up/not be safe and worried if I don’t go in they’ll think I’m unreliable and I’ll mess up ratios.

I’m not entirely sure what I wanted out of this post! Thanks for reading though. Last night was my first night and I’m worried it looks like I just don’t want to work. I do!

Go and make a cup of tea, and then try again.

What time are you due in?

It takes awhile to get used to night shift. Is your child with you today, can you not sleep now? My dd does night shifts and she can't sleep after without eye mask and ear plugs in.

Oh god what a nightmare, you probably can't sleep now because you're trying too hard!!
I absolutely hated night shifts and only did a couple before I said I wouldn't be doing those again.
Get up for abit, read a book or something. Have you got a hot water bottle ? They help me to relax

Don’t drink tea air you want to sleep! Caffeine free is what you need.

Ring them now so they can try and find cover.

I suggest you do not do night shifts.

If you do get some sleep and they don’t have anyone you can always go in.

You probably will not sleep now you are so worked up. However, you only need a couple of hours good sleep even if it is broken. I did 13 hour night shifts for years.

Get up and do something like read a book or ironing or anything that is sleep inducing
Eat if you're hungry or have a milky drink

Back to bed, put a sleep podcast or audio book on and tell yourself you're just going to rest your eyes but you must not fall asleep

Usually helps! My dad always said when I couldn't sleep that quietly resting was just fine, it would stop me worrying and then I could usually sleep

An antihistamine and put on an audio book and just tell yourself you are just resting

Thanks, think I’ve just got myself in a panic. Doesn’t help that I can her DS crying downstairs with DH. Going to ask him to take him out and will try again for a few hours.

Maybe I’m just not nightshift material!

Due in at 7 but need to leave at 5:15 because of traffic 😒

There's lots of excuses here, sleep, child, bad driving. It does sounds like you don't want to work. If you do actually want to work and make a good impression, then definitely don't call in sick on your second night because you are feeling tired FFS.

@Nightshiftworkerhelp so your hubby immediately stressed you out by telling you how upset your toddler was overnight??? that is never going to relax you! tell him you do not need to know these things and he has to learn to cope on his own! I take it, the toddler and hubby are out the house now?

My ward manager would be seriously unimpressed if you phone in at 1300 because you hadn't slept. You've still got a few hours.

If you've got a professional registration, I'd suggest you don't go in. If you do and you make a mistake, how would you feel then? It could ruin your career. Kindly I don't think night shifts are for you. I hate them because I also can't sleep during the day.

Lavender tea, read for a bit in a dark room, a book, not on a phone or tablet. Count your breathing so your mind focuses on nothing else

Earplugs and nytol

I have insommnia - get off of any gadgets, book only, hot drink and try to relax and stop trying too hard. Lay and let your body relax. Sometimes putting calming music on softly helps. 🙂

Try you tube- hypnosis/sleep talk down. if you just focus on the narrators voice and are willing to be lulled its really helpful.good luck. x

I'd just go. You still have a few hours- chill in bed and rest even if you can't sleep. Then suck it up and go. It will reflect badly on you if you miss your second ever night shift and all nurses/HCA/hospital staff have struggled to sleep or not slept between shifts before.

Your DH really isn't helping you here.

A hot heavy milky drink and half an antihistamine always does the trick for me.

If you're able to block everything out and just aim to rest in bed for a few hours, you might end up dropping off.

I don't know what post you are referring to, but it definitely isn't the OP...

Actually that’s a good idea - I just know for me that caffeine keeps me up all night!

Hope you manage some sleep OP and I take my hat off to all of you that work night shifts - I know I couldn’t do it!

I used to take Nytol 50 to help me sleep between night shifts