I have the utmost respect for anyone working while all normal human beings are sleeping. It takes a very strong and resilient person.

The worst shift I ever worked was a 3-7:30 shift loading freight onto planes in Portland. Wet, windy, cold on the damp days, hot and windy when it was warm, and I had to walk uphill both ways to work. But at least there was time to deal with normal life that working night shift doesn’t give me.

My manager remarked to me that night-shifters tend to, “have a bit of chip on our shoulders, almost like the world owes you something.” Damn right I do. I’m up when most sane and rational people are asleep. I sleep when the rest of the world is doing there thing. If someone is loud, obnoxious when day shift sleeps, they can call the cops. Me? I’m outta luck.

So yes, I have a chip about it. The world wants 24-7 care, a 24-7 society, but does little to accommodate it. One of these needs has to give. Soon.

Night Shift Blues | Lost on the Floor

Here is J Doe’s take on the Wanderer’s rant

Shi(f)t Work

I don’t do much shift any more, but I just came off three 12 hour nights, and I am whacked, even with the strictly-not-sanctioned-nor-endorsed-by-management two-hour naps breaks taken in the so-called dead hours between 0200 and 0600. So I get it. One of my colleagues, whom the nursing gods have blessed with a D/E line and who probably has not worked past 2300 in ten years, constantly gripes about the night shift nap “perk.” She believes strongly — and will tell anyone in earshot — that the night crew, instead of taking their naps, ought to be doing all the scut work which never seems to be completed on days. Because they’re all lazy and worthless louts, et cetera.

Uh, no. And yeah, the world does owe shift workers something, even it’s the two-hour naps which in any case often can’t be taken because of patient acuity. There’s pretty good evidence that links shift work cardiovascular disease (among other afflictions), not to mention the obvious safety hazard of driving home bleary-eyed. Two hour naps, when you think about it, are pretty poor compensation for decreased life expectancy. And then there’s the usual disruptions to family and social life, sleeping patterns and the general feeling of malaise shift work brings. Obviously shift workers are cranky, and for good reason

So before complaining about the inadequacy/relative worth/attitude of the night shift, shut up. No, really. Shut up.

Shift work | Those Emergency Blues

For the count that is. Have I mentioned how much the night shift and I do not get along? (You’re probably getting sick and ‘tired’ of hearing it from me)

Here’s my problem. I’m a light sleeper. So light of a sleeper that the wind outside wakes me- not a lie. So ‘forcing’ myself or convincing myself to sleep is just impossible.

I’m all out of sorts.

My body is rejecting my F’d up circadian clock right now. It doesn’t know if it’s coming or going. Day or night? Stay awake.. or sleep?

When I want or need to sleep.. I’m wide fricken awake!. When I want or need to stay awake.. I’m peeling my eyelids open just to focus! I have to convince my synapses they need to fire.

My mind’s not right. My brain is hazy. And my attitude has gone down the toilet. My poor wife has suffered the most. She gets to listen to me whine.. and she gets the whipping end of my short-fuse. I seem to be snapping and ‘biting’ at all the small things – and I KNOW I’m doing it. She’s so good to me, tolerating me and my down-right miserable-ness. These are one of the million times I am truly lucky to be her husband. She makes me a better man by simply being her – because no one else would tolerate me and my bitterness. I love you angel.

Grr.

I hate this.

I hate the ‘me’ I see.

Image Source: aplusteacherfitness

the abnormal sleep and fall in vigilance demonstrated among intensive care unit nurses may have implications for patient safety

Abnormal sleep may increase nurse errors – UPI.com

I can relate to this dangerous possibility.

*SIGH*

So I survived my first ‘rotation’ on the night shift. It wasn’t bad. Not bad at all. At least I think it was. I was really expecting to be drained. To be utterly exhausted like the last time I did nights (at my job that was 70 miles away).

It’s amazing how different things are when you get home at a decent time, and actually make it to bed on time.. and get the proper amount of sleep!

Go figure.