Sleep

I have always been an early to bed, early to rise kind of girl. One of my biggest fears about starting medical school four years ago was that I wouldn't be able to stay awake to study or work. I hate being up past midnight unless there is a really really good reason and I hate sleeping past 8 AM. Well, I am now onto a string of nights in the ER and let me just tell you it is messing with my sleep schedule big time. Sleeping during the day is not good for anyone. Your hormone levels that drive sleep are all off and the sun is out and making it hard to get good quality sleep. We have serious blackout curtains in our room and I am now a firm believer in the benefits of some sleep aids for needed day sleeping but I still hate it. Take this week for example. I worked overnight got home at 8:45 AM, went to sleep by 9:30 AM and had to get up to be back at the hospital at 5PM for the 5P-1A shift. Then I had to be there at 7:30 AM for trauma grand rounds this morning until 9AM then home to sleep until I couldn't force it any more because I am headed back for another 11 PM to 8AM shift tonight.

Working nights will be part of my life forever. The only good thing about my chosen profession is night float, blocks of nights so at least you can fully switch to day sleeping for a while before you switch back. This flip-flopping is what kills you. Only about a week and a half left of living like a semi-vampire. I cannot wait to have my nights back for sleeping. I am dreaming of sweet sleep in the dark, dinners at a normal time and my regular breakfast schedule. It is 5 PM and I am about to have my first cup of coffee of the day. Oh mornings I miss waking up to you.

Rise and Shine!