Five useful tips for nurses to get through their night shift
Although several options are now available to students when it comes to picking a career, joining the healthcare industry remains one of the most preferred fields. The healthcare industry is centuries old and is lauded for the immense contributions it has made to improving people’s lives and aiding human progress. The industry has evolved immensely over the years, and each healthcare practitioner plays a huge role in ensuring overall patient well-being and successful outcomes.
Although doctors are undoubtedly important, nurses are increasingly being recognized for their significant role in ensuring effective treatments. Nurses often work incredibly long, grueling shifts and are responsible for providing around-the-clock care to their patients.
If you’re a nurse working night shifts, you may sometimes find it hard to get through. If that’s the case, we have some excellent tips below to help you get through those long nights while providing the best care to your patients.
Set a schedule
Setting a proper schedule is vital if you want to perform to the best of your abilities during your night shifts. There can be several things you have to juggle during your night shifts, and if you don’t have a proper schedule, you might find it hard to manage. Having a to-do list with tasks ranked by priority or a schedule can help you stay on top of things without anything slipping through the cracks.
Setting a schedule is even more important if you’re currently completing your education and have assessments. Alongside attending online classes, you may also need to take clinicals to show your hands-on expertise in the field. However, juggling work and education can be difficult, and having a proper schedule can help you manage both. With a proper schedule, you can adjust your nurse practitioner clinicals, so they don’t clash with your night shifts either.
Make sure you get enough sleep during the day
One of the biggest mistakes nurses on night shifts make is not getting enough sleep during the day. You may feel the urge to get up at your usual time. However, doing so can reduce your resting time and make you extremely tired during the night shifts. When you’re working night shifts, you need to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep to ensure you can work to the best of your ability.
If you don’t get enough sleep, you may start experiencing several psychological and physiological issues. Lack of sleep can make you feel irritable, foggy, and unfocused. It can severely impact your judgment. Moreover, lack of sleep can also cause raised blood pressure, heart problems, headaches, and more. Sleep deprivation is a huge health concern for night shift workers, and you need to keep monitoring your physical and mental health. It’s important to ensure you catch up on the missed hours whenever possible.
Stock up on snacks
You’ll be surprised at how useful snacks can be in helping you stay energized during long shifts at night. A lot of the time, you might not feel sleepy but may feel drained and exhausted. Consuming high-energy snacks can give you an instant boost and help you get through the rest of your shift. When it comes to snacks, it’s always best to pick healthier options. You might find yourself gravitating towards chocolates or candies, but there are various other options you can pick.
Fruits have a low glycemic index and can give you a glucose boost without any harmful side effects. Moreover, granola bars, protein shakes, and other similar items can help you stay energized. When you’re working night shifts, things can sometimes get pretty hectic. However, it’s important to remember to keep your body energized. This way, you can maintain your blood sugar levels throughout your shift.
Maintain a support group
Things can get pretty overwhelming when you’re consistently working night shifts. Many night shift nurses deal with critical patients who need care around the clock or with severe accidents and emergencies. The emotional toll of dealing with such cases can be immense. Many night-shift workers also experience elevated levels of depression and anxiety due to isolation from their loved ones.
If you start feeling emotionally drained, reaching out to other nurses can be pretty useful. Other nurses will know exactly how you feel because they might have experienced the same situation. Moreover, they can also offer useful tips to make the situation more bearable. Apart from work support groups, talking to a loved one or trusted friend can also help relieve some stress. Although it may not seem like much, simply sharing can help you feel much less burdened, and you may feel like there are people you can reach out to when you feel troubled. However, if you feel like the emotional strain is becoming too much, it’s always best to reach out to a professional who can help you develop coping strategies.
Dress comfortably
Night shifts can be particularly stressful, and you want to ensure you can be as comfortable as possible when you work. If your workplace attire is too distracting or uncomfortable, it can greatly impact your patient outcomes. If you’re wearing scrubs rather than a uniform, dress comfortably underneath.
Wearing comfortable shoes is a vital prerequisite when you’re on night duty. Much of your shift will be spent walking through different wards and dealing with several patients. If your footwear is uncomfortable, you can quickly start getting exhausted. Picking softly padded close-toed shoes can reduce the strain on your feet and legs and help you power through even the longest shifts. Although it may seem inconsequential, picking the wrong shoe can cause bunion pains, ingrown nails, posture problems, and sore tendons. Besides shoes, consider keeping all essentials close by, such as prescription glasses and medication.
Conclusion
Working a night shift can be pretty challenging, even for the most experienced nurses. If you’re having a hard time adjusting to the routine, these tips can help you get the hang of things. These tips can make transitioning much easier and help maintain your physical and mental health, especially if you work at night.
