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As a nurse, you may be required to work some overnight shifts and complete your hours while most patients are asleep. This can be long, tiring, and sometimes, a little boring. We've laid out ten tips below to help you stay awake and alert during your shift, and keep productivity levels up. Whether you only work nights, or your shift times vary, these tips will help you keep on top of your work and your health!
Getting into a routine for sleeping and working is essential for anyone taking on night shifts. Although it may feel unnatural at first to be sleeping during the day; making sure you still get your 8 hours of sleep is vital. Sleeping is essential for your physical and mental wellbeing, and ensuring that you stay focused and alert during your shift. Set a clear schedule for when it works best for you to sleep, and create a good sleeping environment - turn off electrical devices, invest in some black out blinds and a sleep mask to block out the sun!
Read up on the side effects of any medication you’re taking. If a medicine you’re taking causes drowsiness, consider taking it in the morning, once your shift is over, to aid you in falling asleep. If you take any medicines at the same time each day, make sure you adjust your schedule to coincide with your new sleep times.
Working in a role that requires you to look after others' health, often means you forget about your own. Night shift workers are at a higher risk of experiencing health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure and diabetes. Another challenge faced by night workers is insomnia. Remember to look after your own wellbeing by monitoring any changes in your mood or appearance.
When productivity drops, it’s easy for tiredness to creep in. Night shifts for nurses tend to be slower-paced than day shifts, so it’s important to try to keep yourself busy. Write down a to-do list of tasks to get done to help you stay organised and on track for your shift. Use any downtime to converse with your coworkers, catch up on paperwork, or stay active by having a walk around the halls!
Make sure you are using your mandated breaks. Use this time to rest and eat some healthy snacks. If your facility allows you to nap on your break, take advantage of that and take a quick energy-boosting snooze! You’ll work better if you are well rested.5. Drink Water
Staying hydrated is vital for nurses on the night shift. You’ll be walking around so make sure to drink lots of water on your shift. This will help you stay awake and reduce headaches. If you find it hard to remember to drink water, try setting an alarm to go off at regular intervals through your shift.
Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages early in the morning, or towards the end of your shift, as this will make it difficult to fall asleep once you make it home. Instead, have a coffee at the beginning of your shift and switch to water as the night goes one. This will help you stay hydrated and avoid any upset stomachs
Regular exercise and healthy eating is important for everyone, but even more so for overnight workers. Adopt a healthy lifestyle by sticking to a consistent exercise routine and make work easier by building up your physical strength and endurance. In addition, try to eat healthy meals and snacks to give you more energy and help you feel good.
Spending your shift alone can lead to you feeling sleepy or isolated, so the best way to combat this is to chat to your coworkers! Being social with other nurses and doctors will allow you to build positive relationships and make your shift more fun. Having someone to chat to who understands the job will boost your morale and make coming to work a lot easier.
After a long night, you may find yourself exhausted or drowsy. If you’re driving home, make sure you are fit to do so. Open car windows and turn up the radio to wake yourself up. If you think you aren’t fit to drive, grab the bus, a taxi, or ask a friend or family member to pick you up.
Whether you're looking for overnight work, day shifts, full or part-time positions, Clarity can help! You can check out our vacant roles below or get in touch with us today for a free one-to-one nursing career consultation.
