I'm a night owl and would love to work nights! Just can't because of the little one.

You'd better believe that when my daughter is old enough to stay at home by herself...I'm going to work nights somewhere!

I'm not a morning person and that's why you see me posting here so late at night. (I also have insomnia and have learned to function on about 4-6 hours of sleep at night)

Wow, I can't function if I only get 4-6 hours of sleep. I get really tired and my whole body aches, haha. I know some people can, which is really amazing, but I need a solid 8-10 hours of sleep. However, one's body does adjust to schedules, so you never know. I might just have to work a night shift in the future and just have to sleep during the day, haha.

When you are young I think sleep is often something that comes reasonably easily and something you need plenty of. Once you have experienced more of the worries of normal life, plus perhaps had a child who keeps waking you up (not only true when they are a baby) or gets up early then your sleeping patterns change.

There is certainly nothing like your bed when you finish working a night shift!

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Julie
http://www.lifeinthenhs.wordpress.com

No Kidding Julie!

I was awakened last night by a precocious little 6 year old who needed a glass of water and wanted to crawl into bed with me. Granted, I had just gone to bed an hour before at 2 am! I had her, 2 cats and a dog in my bed last night....I was squished.

I know what you mean! And a shower is like the icing on top. I have to have to have to shower after working evenings...once I was tired and just wanted to climb into bed but I was like "What am I doing? I have to take a shower!" The germs and just the hospital environment should be scrubbed away before sleep that's for sure. Who knows what I touched, haha.

Mother Jones, I did night shift while my kids were growing up so I didn't miss any of their "events." The whole time on night shift I felt miserable. I knew I had to have some horrible terminal disease. If I didn't have to get dressed, I didn't because I figured what was the use, I'd just have to get in my uniform again.

My day consisted of, getting the kids off to school. Having the kids wake me when they got home from school. Cooking some form of dinner, dishes, then nap time until I went to work. I felt like I had terminal cancer.

A day position opened up and I went for it. It did my mind and body a world of good. I miss all my friends on night shift, because we were such a close knit family and counted on each other. We all kept each other's backs and for that I am greatful. I don't find that kind of relationships on the day shifts.

I wouldn't work any other shift but the night shift. You are right the night staff you work with become like your extended family. Everybody jumps in to help everyone..great team effort. I've been on nights >28years and wouldn't switch at this point in my career. Plus I must admit...I have control issues and I am the "Queen of My Universe" on the night shift.