Is there life after the night shift?

I recently started a home health job. I like it so far, but I'm facing an unexpected problem; finding a life outside work.

I've always had a hard time making friends. I've been bitten too many times to do workplace friendships. I've never been a morning person, but ten years of evening shifts taught me that it's hard to meet people outside of work when you work evenings. I don't want the night shift to be more isolating than the evening shift.

Night shifters, how do you make friends outside of work?
Avoid the sun or you'll melt.In all seriousness basically wherever people gather is a good place to start.Bars, Church, Various sporting events, ect.

Networking sites such as FB can help. Nursing forums I've met some wonderful friends "online" Groups that share your interest - photography groups - volunteer groups - lion's clubs. Volunteering is a quick way to meet a few friends.Wish I could help you more. I have the same issue! I do make friends at work though, I just try to avoid work issues. Once you're out of HS, it sure does get harder! (And I've been out for quite a loong time!)~Sherri

You meet them the same way you would if you worked day, but that depends on when you sleep. Ive been working nights for 3 years, and sleep during the day when most ppl are at work anyways. So I can socialize during the evening before I leave for work.

My bed is my friend.

The local animal shelter. I would be a crazy cat lady if I were a lady. What the poster with the long name that starts with an I said is a good point. If you sleep when "normal" people are working and work when they are sleeping you can have a fairly normal life.

You know i have worked the night shift for yrs. And it is hard trying to balance family and friends let alone a relationship. And depending on your rotation like if you worked a 3-3 or 4-3. Days off are great to be social but really you have to find a life. Not meaning (you as I'm pointing you out) I mean you have to find activity's to do. Like that one person pointed out in a earlier post. Like my one Nursing Teacher said time and time again " Get A Life" Don't make your job your life or you will end up like the cat lady everyone talks about I have found myself a few times having relationships with co-workers. Now I'm not saying to seek out co-workers because sometimes its not worth the drama that goes along with it. Sometimes tho it makes it easier to build a social network with them because you work the same shift. These are my thoughts use them as you wish...

Do you work 12's or 8's?

I've been on nights for 7+ years. I have met most of my friends through work!

How do you do night shift in home health? Sorry if that's a stupid question, but in our area home health is days only.

I have been working nights for the last 2 years. I also sleep during the day when everyone's at work and I work when everyone's asleep.

i work 12's

cathyrn01Home health believe it or not is a round the clock gig. I know people who sit in peoples homes during the night so family members can get rest and they don't have to worry about if their sick one is getting care ( whatever the problem may be ) Just like a Nursing Home or a Hospital. Home Health Workers are out there busting their arse and doing a great job at what they do. They pass meds give baths even clean the home if asked cook meals and so on. I'm sure you have people who come in to your hospital and sit with a person per family's request. Well guess what they are Home Health Workers. And they are under paid matter of fact my State is doing something about that because some home health workers work around the clock but only get paid like 2 hrs of their time and most of them don't get paid for gas. This is not to ***** at you. I'm just telling facts because a lot nurse's don't know. They are like the people behind the scenes that a lot of us don't really know about or even take the time to think about. These are my thoughts use them as you wish... Anthony