Need input from all you "night owls" working graveyard shift!
Posted By: MT on 2005-08-05
In Reply to:
I am considering working nights, since it seems that's where the pay is higher. Do you go to bed in morning after your shift ends, or do you stay awake for a couple of hours, and go to bed, say 10 or 11 am. How many hours during the day do you sleep; or do you just take a nap in the morning, and go to bed around 6 or 7 p.m. and sleep until it's time for your shift to start? Input on getting a balance, and staying awake during shift. I worked that shift for a while in the past, but never could balance it out. It seems I was always sleeping and had no time to do anything else, other than sleep and work. Thanks
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GRAVEYARD SHIFT
I totally disagree with this study, for multiple reasons. I agree with some of the posts, stating that it would depend upon if you are getting enough sleep, whether you work the graveyard shift or not. People working regular shift often get only a couple of hours of sleep, because they are out at bars all night, drinking, etc.
However, I work the graveyard shift, usually 11 pm to 6 am. I am working, while my husband is sleeping. Right after work, I go to bed, and sleep anywhere between 10 to 12 hours. Then, when my husband comes home, we have the whole evening together!
Also, do they take into consideration that many graveyard shift workers work in factory situations where they are exposed to lots of other things, like toxic chemicals, etc.? I read about it in the paper, too, and it mentioned that the increase in the cancer effect of the graveyard shift workers began in the 1930's, with the "industrial" boom --- what about those effects on cancer, not the time of day you do it.
I also feel that I can produce more in the same time frame doing MT at nite, with less stress of all the other noises of the day, and not having the phone ringing off the hook!
Graveyard Shift
It all depends on you. I don't think there's a set rule book. I have a major sleep "situation." It isn't a problem because it's been this way all my life. I never liked to sleep, and would still rather mow the lawn or just about anything besides sleep. Obviously the rest of the world thinks that's strange, but it's just how I got wired (pardon that pun!)... Many people say they got "x" hours of sleep. I look at it as whatever I got is what I got, if any. But I know that's not the norm for most.
There have been times when I've fallen asleep typing, but very rarely. There are also times when I stay up for 2 days straight, and still fight going to sleep.
Just give it some time and decide if you can do it. It's good that we all have different time clocks embedded in our bodies!
Good luck!
graveyard shift
I've found that my body just naturally adjusts over time if I work this shift consistently.
graveyard shift questions? HELP!! sm
for those of you who work the graveyard shift, when you initially started how did you get your sleep pattern to adjust? i did this for 2 nights and loved it!! i got sooo much work done without any interruptions and it was wonderful so i have decided that i would prefer to work at nighttime but i am having a hard time staying awake now through the night and by 1ish i am falling asleep. how did you get ahead on your sleep well enough to get you past the initial getting used to it? and do you keep that same schedule even on weekends or when you aren't working as far as sleep routine?
questions for graveyard shift'ers
i'm seriously thinking of going from days to 3rd shift -- for money and to free-up daytime hours to manage other stuff better, without interfering with my job....but cannot figure when the best time would be to sleep -- do you sleep right after work, right before work, or when? How long might it take to adjust? I'm generally a morning person, early to bed, early to rise....I'd appreciate any advice at all. thanks.
Graveyard shift study results
I just had to put this here. This study came out about 2 days ago, and I did not find that anyone posted it here so I am going to comment on it. If this is redundant please excuse the double post. The other day on the news at 6 they reported that studies show that there is a new risk for developing cancer which could lead to an early grave... working the graveyard shift (punny). Anyway, they said that because it goes against our biological clock, we produce less of a certain brain chemical when we sleep at night and this chemical helps our body fend of carcinogens (I forgot the chemical). Do you know the American Cancer Society is seriously considering putting third shift workers on the list as being high risk for cancer? Can you imagine? What is this, a way for the insurance companies to have an excuse to deny us night owls insurance or to make the rates higher? I think it is hilarious because I personally never do anything risky. I work at home as an MT after all, I do not lead a risky life in the least. Now, because I work nights so I can be a mom during the day and do everything supermom should do I am going to have cancer... what next?
Is it difficult to adjust to the graveyard shift?
 What is the best way to prepar for this.
Working graveyard
Most people don't know how I do it. I work from 9:00 p.m. to about 4:00 and then up at 7:30 (8:30 now that it's summer). On Friday nights I don't work and I'm in bed by 8:00 p.m. And on the weekends I sleep in. My family is used to it and I've been doing it for so long I actually prefer it. No phones, no kids, no husband. I have also been known to fall asleep in the chair, but it doesn't happen too often. You'll get used to it. I'm not actually sure I even prepared in any way.
My experiences while working graveyard were (sm)
both good and bad: Bad: During the spring/summer months, I wanted to be out catching the rays and walking the beach, but my body kept telling me, "It's time to sleep." Additionally, my diet was a little off; eating a Stouffer's dinner at 3:00 a.m. just seemed out of order. Also, I started watching those Judge shows in the afternoons, thus, not putting the lights out until about 5 p.m., leaving me only about 5 hours to sleep -- not enough for this bod. That experience taught me that I am definitely a morning person.
By working an eight hour shift?
working night shift.
I recently read an ad about a company hiring MT and giving a sign on bonus to work the graveyard shift. I thought about applying. I did a few graveyard shifts when I was a nurse’s aide though they were not consistent, just here and there. It was rough, but it was easier for me to recover because I did not have kids back then nor the responsibilities I have now.
If I did it consistently, is it easy to adjust? How do you adjust? Do you have to drink a lot of coffee? lol. Is there usually more work available at night then say M-F, 8 to 5.
TIA
I tried working 3-11 shift as an LPN when my children
were teenagers. Never again would I do that (even though they're grown now) unless it was an absolute necessity. I never saw my children or my husband. I didn't get into transcription at home until they had both finished high school. I only wish I had known there were jobs like this when my children were little. I missed so much by not being available for them at home. Best wishes to you which ever way you choose to go. 
Working 11-7 shift as LPN in nursing home.
Would not want to go back there!!!!!!
to poster below who is talking about working an 8 hour shift
I just read your posts and they are really bothersome. Why just because someone asks how to achieve 1000 lines in 3 or 4 hours would you flame them like that? Why would you assume that person would want to work less than 8 hours just because they asked that question?
Most people, especially MTs, want to make the most of their time whether it be 3 hours or 8 hours. Most MTs want to be productive since that is how we make our living. Why wouldn't anyone with a brain want to increase their line count from 1000 lines in 8 hours to 2000 lines in 8 hours if they could?
I think it is a shame that so many get mad and become rude to others because they are doing more than them. They are sharing their advice on how to become quicker and I wish that you would just let them do it for the rest of us!
I mean, if you want to work 8 hours and make squat go ahead. The rest of us would like to bring in the cash and double our speed and work the same amount of time thank you!
Should clarify, I was an IC for a company working a split shift. nm
d
working 3rd shift and weekends sometimes gives you bonus incentive pay. nm
x
I prefer working a shorter shift 6 to 7 days a week. SM
I work hard when I work to put out a lot of lines per hour, which is very tiring. Also, my company has a work flow/volume problem, and this allows me to schedule my hours for those times when work is most likely to be available.
Regarding having a life, in a 24-hour day, subtracting say 8 hours for sleep leaves 16 hours, and subtracting 6 hours for work leaves 10 hours every day for "life," a luxuriance of time if you don't have young children or other heavy responsibilities filling them with other work.
The trick (sometimes it is a trick!) is be firm with yourself, and others, and get the work out of the way briskly and on schedule, such as those early-morning or evening and split schedules, and not drag it out through the entire day, sandwiched in between TV shows, phone chats, family duties, and so on.
Morning baby, morning adult. Kids born at 11:30AM (both) are night owls, however. Go figure! :) nm
s
Graveyard cake
http://www.celebrationcorner.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?id=133724
More graveyard experiences
I've worked graveyard before and will be starting again tonight. I've learned a few things from past experience that can help this time.
One is bright lights at night and blackout curtains during daytime sleeping hours. Another is turning off the ringer on the phone before going to bed, arranging with a neighbor who is generally home during the day to take true emergency calls from certain people and ring my doorbell if necessary.
I try to keep in mind that a lot of other people aren't readily available during the day or able to do what they like during the day because of work, either in or out of the home. I also remember how lucky I am to be able to work from home and not have to deal with a commute, among other things.
Give myself some unwinding time after my shift and then do the best I can to adhere to regular sleep hours that least interfere with regular activities outside of work. There will be times, of course, when I'll need to be flexible on the sleep hours to take care of things that must occasionally be done during the usual sleep hours schedule.
Accept that there will be days when the rest of the world will not be tip-toeing around because I want to sleep. Watch out for sleep-deprivation crankiness, try my best not to take it out on other folks, and apologize promptly if I do. It does help to explain the situation yet not use it as a recurrent or frequent excuse.
Make use of caffeinated beverages at the beginning of my shift and limit them toward the latter portion. Remember that power naps during breaks may work for other people but that the temptation to keep hitting the snooze alarm could be overwhelming for me. It was one thing when I was an IC, but not cool as an employee. Better for me is to something semi-active during breaks and make myself get up and stretch on a periodic, regular basis.
Keep in mind that it will take a little while to get used to the new schedule and see what sleep hours seem to work best for me through trial and error. I'm lucky that I have a natural tendency toward nightowlism.
Sorry for the length of this essay and best of luck to you! Would that there were a yawning smiley face...
I worked graveyard before, and will now again.
This time though, I have a window of time, and can split shift, but I can tell you I am very scared about it. The last time I took graveyard, it was set hours, and I got through it, but switched back to days because I never slept, or took time for myself. But, there is not much work during the mornings, and I end up getting frustrated watching the children who are all under 10 years old, and scratching for work, and the whole situation. So, I am going to work 8 hours in 12 overnight. I am very scared but going to go for it for these reasons: 1. I am not lonely because everyone is at home but they are sleeping, so very few if any worries about anything other than working which is really less stress. 2. There will mostly always be work, so I won't have to worry about my paycheck or begging for work or worrying about the bill collectors. 3. DH is concerned too, but he knows how frustrating it is to scratch for work during the daytime when everyone else is on. He figures I work after I put the kids to bed, rest some, and then work in early morning hours. Then, I get another nap during the day when he gets home from work or during the school day when the kids are back in school. It is just this fear of mine about overnight I have to learn to get out of my head and remember, night means peaceful, quiet, work, a good paycheck, and naps during the day along with trips to the mall, or doing art or anything else during the day when the kids are back in school I can do just for me. I wish you luck. In the end do what is best for you. But if you run out of work during the day, or if you have other obligations while you are working in daytime, rethink which is really best for you. Good luck!
Kitchen appliance graveyard
In the midst of moving last weekend, I discovered my long forgotten kitchen appliance graveyard. All the cool gadgets that I thought I HAD to have at the time that have long since moved into that cabinet. I had three juicers dating back to the 80's, an ice cream maker, a sandwich maker, a George Foreman grill, a food dehydrator, and a the most recent one I got for Christmas, a smoothie maker. Oh the humanity! I have decided to resurrect some of them for fun and because I feel so guilty. How about you all ? Anyone suffer from this gadget collecting problem?
I work graveyard on weekends
I can't say there's any real way to prepare for graveyard shift other than going to bed earlier the night before, this way you are well rested for your shift.
I work day shift and evening shift Mon-Thurs, but come 3 pm on Friday, it's bedtime for me. I work graveyard shift on weekends, and I love it. I don't really have a problem adjusting my schedule, as I have massive sleep deficit accrued all week.
The problems that I do find are with:
Family not getting it through their heads that I wake/work early on weekends.
Deliveries (UPS, FedEx) normally take place during the hours I would be sleeping.
Phone usually rings during the hours I sleep.
Other than those outside factors, no problem for me adjusting back and forth between shifts.
If you want the good stuff, work GRAVEYARD, or
nm
Disagree...ESLs tend to dictate graveyard shifts....nm
hit left Shift key 3 times, then right Shift key 3 times -
nm
You get more working the evening or night shifts and working w/o benefits. And producing like a mad
,
my input
There are many companies out there, and the majority of them are good companies. Most jobs are work at home, too. There are pros and cons to every single MT company. What works for one MT won't work for another. Research the Company board. Use the MTstars search function. Read the Job Seeker board to see who's hiring. If you apply and get a nibble back, ask questions specifically. However, I don't think we're all going to list every MT company we've all worked for.
Here are some hints. Don't pay for proprietary hardware or software from the company, buy it on eBay, don't work for free, don't work for less than what you think you are worth. Even when I started out as a total newbie grad from a terrible school, I still made $.065 per line.
The average MT can do 150 lines per hour, so 1,000 lines would be roughly 6.5 hours of work. I expect to put out about 1,200 lines today by noon, and I'm certainly not as fast or experienced as most on this board. There are people out there consistently doing 250-300 lines per hour, so 1,000 lines per day is certainly feasible.
Thanks for that input.
I thought there might be something wrong with me. Maybe I'm too critical because I keep finding something "wrong" with all these kids. They're just kids. Yeah, little demon spawn is my favorite term for them. These little beasts have no respect for other people, their possessions, or adults. It certainly makes me appreciate my own kids so much more. I don't tell them enough that they're good kids.
Thanks! I will look into both of these. Appreciate your input! nm
xxx
Thanks! I will look into both of these. Appreciate your input! nm
xxx
Thank all of you for your input!
I appreciate the info on both Cymed and Transolutions. Sounds as if Transolutions is the better of the two. If this does not work out, I think I will try doing IC work - just need more info on it. Guess I would have to check into insurance. Have Cobra now and it is sending me to the poor house. Thank you.
Thanks for the input
The person I dealt with was Jennifer, but I never met her, just back and forth over the phone and naturally she was very positive.
Thanks for the input. NM
d
Thanks for the input - sm
We aren't in Western Washington, other side of the mountains and she is even further east from me, about an hour from here.
They will get help. It may just take a little while longer before they can find someone qualified for it.
Thanks for the input everyone (nm)
x
TY everyone for your input..
I think I will get busy on approaching some of the chiro's in the area then. Small town here..not many facilities to choose from for just rad and someone else suggested trying chiro. Any other suggestions would still be greatly appreciated as well as any websites or individuals willing to share some sample reports. Feel free to email me with samples/more suggestions.
Thanks again!
Thank you both for the input.
thanks for your input!
x
Thanks for the input.
My primary account, though it keeps me busy and has for over 10 years, there is no extra work. What I do and what another girl does on weekends is all. I did take on another account at one time but it was either too much or not enought. Too much for me to handle accurately and do domesticated stuff and dropped back to handle both but not enought money. I think I will just have to buckle down and stress to family (kids are old enought to help out) that they will have to pitch in or do without! Thanks again. You do help me feel a lot better!
Thank you. I will try that. I appreciate your input here nm
thank you for your input
The local is sort of what I am leaning towards..
Any input? Looking in to them.
I appreciate it! Thanks!
Thanks for your input.....
I guess I will just take today as a day to do some "testing." Thank you so much for sharing. I feel so alone and worried about my future as an MT.
Thanks again, I appreciate your input...
more than you know! Yes, I am definitely a female, I'm sure my sensitivity shows here!! LOL
Would I be going against anything if I sent a letter of apology to those docs for what happened? It isn't like I would be going against noncompete as I would not be trying to get their business, just to apologize and set my mind at ease and get closure.
Thank you all so much for the input....
xx
thanks for input
I appreciate the input. try and have a better night! :)
Thanks for the input! nm
!
Thanks for the input!
Thanks for all your input. sm
But Home Depot does use subcontractors. I asked if they speak English and was told NO. So, I'm looking at local carpet stores. Found a lot of horror stories on the net. Guess it depends on which Home Depot you use and which subcontractor you are lucky or unlucky enough to end up with on your project.
Thanks for your input
Leaving the office and going home to work sounds like something I should seriously consider. I moved from Oregon to Texas recently and was shocked to find the wages so low. I went from $15.00 an hour to $9 an hour and nothing around here pays anymore. Believe me my goals are higher than $9 an hour. Thanks again and I'll be hanging around!
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