i work as a mental health nurse and do rotational nights, i started backat work in oct 08, had snb, lumpectomy ,chemo and rads. Have been left with lymphoedema in breast and phlebitis in chemo arm , Am managing the day shifts ok although quite tired, can’t wait to go to bed each night.
I am due to start back on night only 7 nights over 7 weeks a block of 3 and 4 nights. I am worried that this may be too much also have a 7 & 12 year old to look after.
I know i can see occ health but know at some point i have to get on with it.
just wondered if anyone has managed working nights after treat,emt and has any advice or tips
I have a male friend who is a nurse specialising in stroke patients and he went back to work p/t dayshifts after having leukemia, then a secondary. He went back onto f/t nights a few months ago as he felt the p/t hours were holding back his emotional recovery, in his case he just wanted to throw himself back into work as it diverted him from thinking about cancer.
However, on account of you having lymphodoema and phlebitis I think you have more on your plate; also it doesn’t seem to be that long since you returned to work. Maybe talking to occ health would put you more at ease? I went back to work in a new job last January and it was a disaster as there was no-one to give me help and support - I ended up leaving after a month as I was under so much stress and am now self employed from home as it’s the only way I could cope last year.
Hi Sarah
I work as a Forensic Nurse and last year I had bi-lat mast and LD recon. I was off for 6 months in total and when I returned to work I found nights difficult purely due to the length of time I was off and from just not being in the habit of nights. My occ health & management were great and said I could do shorter shifts and a maximum of 2 nights together. I suggest you speak to your occ health to see if you can build up gradually. If you overdo things you could end up being off sick again and I am sure they will want to prevent that. Good luck.
Hi Sarah,
I was working nights (averaging 3 nights per week) in a unit of 10 people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviors.
After diagnosis almost 2 years ago then having a mastectomy,chemo and rads I returned to work in December 2007 after having 8 months off. I was fortunate in that my employers agreed to me starting 1 night p/w for the first month after which I went to 2 nights. I have tried several times to work 3 nights but become very overtired (which then aggravates my lymphodema under my arm) So I have decided to just work the 2 nights per week which I work together then 5 nights off.
I am in the situation where I am now winding down to retirement ( I am 59) so I feel I want a quality of life.
Working nights is much more demanding on the system so if you dont feel ready for them then discuss the issue with your occ. health rep. They do have to take disability discrimination into consideration.