Triple Threat

Nope. We're not talking basketball here. We're talking 12 hours...1900-0700...times three nights in a row...This is what it looks like for a newb night shifter:

Night #1: piece of cake because coffee and grahams make me happy!

     Morning #1: can't sleep because it's too bright and there's a thunderstorm...watch a movie then read until 3 p.m. at which point I finally fall asleep for a couple hours before waking up again to get ready for work.

Night #2: feeling miserable but seeing friends on the unit energizes me a little. Rocky until midnight. A caramel latte fix and funky cafeteria scrambled eggs power me through till shift change.

     Morning #2: sleep like a baby until 2p.m. Call some friends and get ready for work.

Night #3: sit and stare sessions with patients and coach Natasha. laugh giddily at anything that is remotely stupid/accidental and not funny unless you are sleep-deprived. Delay all responses...laugh again about how delayed my reactions are...and continue laughing.

     Morning #3: I probably won't remember...carry me to my room and lay me down...Zzzzzzzz

Night #4 and next 2 days: Try to recover a normal sleep cycle.

Conclusion: Night shifts are rough on an insomniac and the night owl who can't stand sleeping away sunshine. It's perfect for students who need to study because of the extra lax downtime. The one thing that takes a little of the sting of working nights away is the added differential...I'm not entirely convinced, though...