Night Shift Tips For Nurses
The nursing profession is full of challenges and rewards, and finishing nursing school is truly just the beginning. Many new nurses start off working the night shift, and while some may eventually opt for a different schedule, others choose to remain as night-shift nurses for as long as possible. While this may seem odd, working the night shift has its benefits if you have the right tools for managing your time wisely on and off duty. As a new nurse, one of the most helpful skills you can master is how to navigate the ups and downs of the night shift. Here is a short list of tips to help get you started.
- Instead of complaining about the graveyard shift right out of the starting gate, adopt a positive attitude and approach your duties with a smile. Night shift is often when co-workers develop their strongest friendships, for there may be more down time between caring for patients allowing you to take advantage of your unique environment and cultivate healthy and long-lasting relationships.
- Take your sleep very seriously. Too many nurses use their time off to do errands, watch TV, or do other things during the time they should be sleeping. Create a strict sleep schedule that allows your body the 7-8 hours of slumber it needs to function well. Let family and friends know when it is okay and not okay to call you or stop by, and devise a way to block out light and sound from your bedroom while you sleep.
- Take care of your body while you are awake. Build in time for regular workouts, and don’t use the night shift as a reason not to exercise. Also, eat healthy, substantial meals instead of grazing through junk food during your shift. Even if it means eating “dinner” at 8 a.m., make sure your body gets the nourishment it needs for your challenging schedule.
- If possible, take a short nap during your lunch break on the night shift. Even 20 to 30 minutes can restore your mind and body to help you power through the rest of your duties.
- Avoid drinking too much caffeine, both before and after your shift. Try to limit your caffeine intake to 500 mg per day, and only during the first four hours you are awake. Avoid the temptation to drink coffee towards the end of your shift or on the drive home; doing so will disrupt your sleep patterns.
- Talk to other night shift nurses and share strategies and ideas for making it through the hardest part of the shift.
- As much as possible, maintain your same sleeping and waking schedule on your off days; your body won’t have to adjust so drastically when you return to work.
A nursing career is made up of many experiences and one for many is spending some time working in a hospital through the third shift. Many nurses have found that once they have adapted their sleeping and eating patterns to fit their night shift, their duties are much more pleasant and manageable. Always remember to treat your mind and body with the care and respect they need to make the night shift work for you.
