Nightshift Workers- Pros and Cons of Working 11 PM- 9AM

[Sofa King]

I'm considering taking a night shift job. I'm looking at either a 2:30 to 11 PM position with odd (varying schedule) days off and every other weekend or taking a night shift position with 10:45 PM- 9:00 AM with 7 days on and 7 days off.

Anyone ever work nights, still working nights? What do you like/dislike about it?

I'm single, no kids.

Either way, at some point if I'm doing well I might be given the opportunity to get a 7-3 time slot.

Night crew gets $1.00 more per hour. Both have full benefits.

[Bump]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Shit, my neighbor fires his jackhammer up as early as 7am sometimes.

here in Boston there is a gas emergency every other month when they start jack hammering at 2am!!! it's awesome.

[keg in kc]

I worked nights in college for a while, and it's ****ed me up for my entire adult life. I've been trying for 20 years to sustain a 'normal' sleeping pattern, and I just can't. Hence me posting at 1 am.

[R8ers]

On my job we bid every 6 months or so so I usually switch back and forth, I like days in the summer and nights in the winter.
You must be able to sleep during the day or you will be miserable, I have a dark room in my house that looks like night in the middle of the day... You have to train your family and friends to not call you during the day... Vitamin D you get from the sun will improve your mood, get atleast 15 mins of sunlight on your face a day and it will make you feel better.

Pro's - The people are usually nicer and more laid back and the big bosses are not around to **** with you. Night usually pays more.

Cons- You never get used to it, You feel like a Zombie when you want to do things during the day . Sometimes it makes you feel isolated when you are sleeping when everyone is awake and they are sleeping when you are awake. It will **** up your social life.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Flachief58

Blackout curtains are great. After the first week or so, you get used to it

Unless you live in Guru's neighborhood and there are some noisy dogs.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

I don't mind it but people mow their lawns and jack hammer in the middle of the day.

People jack hammer their lawns?

[Lzen]

I have worked over nights, 12am - 8am. That was in my younger days (late teens and then again in mid 20s). It wasn't all that bad. But as my kids got older, day shift was much better for me. I have been working normal 8-4:30 day shift for 14.5 years now. I don't think there's any way I could ever go back to a night shift now. My body clock is just too used to day hours. I know this because even on my days off I still get up around 7am.

[KC Tattoo]

I started out liking it but it is quickly taking its toll on me. I just got off work, am tired but not ready to crash. I get cranky alot. I either don't get enough sleep and be up for two days and nights & then on my nights off sleep for 16 hours. They switch my night schedule around each week so it's hard get into a routine. For what I get paid it's not worth it. Going go for my CDL and hope to make sum big bucks. Stress over bills is draining me down.

[R8ers]

Originally Posted by Lzen

I have worked over nights, 12am - 8am. That was in my younger days (late teens and then again in mid 20s). It wasn't all that bad. But as my kids got older, day shift was much better for me. I have been working normal 8-4:30 day shift for 14.5 years now. I don't think there's any way I could ever go back to a night shift now. My body clock is just too used to day hours. I know this because even on my days off I still get up around 7am.

Naa, you could do it if you had to.

[Predarat]

3rd shift is tough but I like it better then 2nd shift. If you can ever pull off a swing shift (2-3 2nds, 2-3 1sts) do that instead. Also it depends on the neighbors, if you live in an apartment it can be ****ing impossible to sleep during the day. Its not the best thing but can be worse.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by R8ers

Naa, you could do it if you had to.

I could and would if I absolutely had to. But I can tell you that there is no way I'd look for that kind of shift.

[mdchiefsfan]

I used to work 10pm-7am. It was nice at first because it was something different. Once the excitement wore off I found myself getting tired and all my life had become was sleep, eat and work. I would sleep way longer than needed. I now work 5am-130pm and I love it.

In your situation I don't know what I would do. Is there a choice to go back if it doesn't work out for you? The only issue I would have is you schedule would be really out of whack. There would be no real acclimation to the overnights because you're swapping on/off for 7 days.

[R8ers]

Originally Posted by Lzen

I could and would if I absolutely had to. But I can tell you that there is no way I'd look for that kind of shift.

No I wouldn't either but I still have to do it and I have been at the job I work for 18 yrs

[R8ers]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I started out liking it but it is quickly taking its toll on me. I just got off work, am tired but not ready to crash. I get cranky alot. I either don't get enough sleep and be up for two days and nights & then on my nights off sleep for 16 hours. They switch my night schedule around each week so it's hard get into a routine. For what I get paid it's not worth it. Going go for my CDL and hope to make sum big bucks. Stress over bills is draining me down.

Don't get suckered and remember all recruiters lie... Oh.. Main thing... Go into LTL trucking, that's where the money is.

[LTL]

I work 7p - 7a 3 days a week and have for the past 8 years. My kids are grown and only have 1 living at home so being able to sleep isn't a huge deal for me. Have worked a set schedule, a schedule where it varied from week to week and it's alot easier if you have a set schedule cause your body can somewhat adjust to it easier imo. Even doing it as long as I have I still go through periods of feeling like hammered dog shit. Usually only happens about once every 3-4 months. Working 7 on then 7 off will have it's advantages which have all been mentioned in here, but for your first couple days off you probably still won't feel right unless you maintain a night shift schedule on your days off. I have seen people do that, it works for some, kinda just depends on your lifestyle.

Night shifts aren't for everybody, have seen some really try and they were miserable no matter how much sleep they got during the day. Personally I really like it and would probably have a hard time going to a day shift now.

[Inspector]

I did it many years ago before becoming the boss. When I left that shift and started working day hours ( and sleeping at night like my body was meant to do) I finally realized how crappy I felt physically from doing it. Retiring now but I still have some of my techs working nights - they get an extra 10% so that gives them about an extra $140 a week. But, it's really unhealthy and can effect cholesterol and other things in a negative way. Make sure you do your research about the health impacts before you make your decision and wiegh out the pros and cons. Good luck!!