I worked straight night shift as a nurse in an Intensive Care Unit for about two straight years. And while I no longer work straight nights, half of my shifts are still 12-hour nights. I remember when I first started as a nurse, this was a huge adjustment for me. Let’s be real. Being in one place away from home and working for 12 hours at a time is difficult. Not to mention, your body naturally wants sleep at this time but you need to stay awake as you are literally responsible for the lives of others. So, let’s talk about some of my favorite tips for working night shift as a nurse.
Bring plenty of snacks
Whenever I’m working nights I always appreciate a few extra snacks to perk me up and get me through those long hours. I will admit, I’m not always the most healthy. Sometimes I’ll bring candy, chips, crackers and cheese, or popcorn. Though if you want to be a little healthier, fruits and veggies or granola bars are a great option. Some of my favorite meals to eat on night shift are sandwiches, pasta, or soups. I’ve found that a salad at 2AM is not as appetizing as it is at one in the afternoon. I use these comfort foods as sort of a way to reward myself for having to stay awake all night.
Drink lots of water… or caffeine
While I wouldn’t recommend solely relying on caffeine to get you through your shifts, I would be lying if I said I didn’t indulge in these yummy drinks myself. I personally don’t like the coffee stocked at my hospital so I bring in a cup from home for the beginning of my shift if I didn’t have time to enjoy a cup at home before work. I also really enjoy caffeinated drinks such as Bubblr or Alani nu that are easy to toss in my lunch bag before my shift. You should always bring a water bottle of some sort to stay hydrated throughout the night. When I haven’t been drinking enough water, I am so much more tired! If you don’t like plain water, bring some water flavoring mix to keep in your lunch or work bag so you always have it on hand.
Relax between your shifts
This is something I know many nurses struggle with as it is way more difficult to have consistent sleep during the day, especially when you are not used to working nights. Invest in some blackout curtains for your bedroom to make it as dark as possible. I really think this helps with how well I’m able to sleep between my shifts! Think of your bedtime routine on a normal night and try to stick as closely as possible to that in the mornings between your shifts. Developing a bedtime routine will let your body know its time to wind down for a long nap. Also, try to get to sleep as soon as possible when you get home to really optimize your sleeping time. Even if I’m unable to sleep well during the day (usually happens on the first or second day of my stretch), I try to just lounge on the couch watching my favorite show. This really helps me to relax and destress before a long shift. I may not feel as rested as if I was able to sleep, but I know I will be thankful for the extra relaxation time when 3am hits.
Wear comfortable clothing/footwear
Nurses are known for having the most comfortable uniforms as we wear scrubs! So why force yourself to be uncomfortable? Choose scrubs that are loose-fitting and a stretchy material. Trust me, you will thank yourself when you are sitting at the nurses station in the middle of the night charting. When working nights, I always get so cold! Bring a scrub jacket or even a sweatshirt if your workplace dress code allows it. Compression socks not only are beneficial for the health of your legs, they keep you warm too! Lastly, choose comfortable footwear. Many nurses I work with choose to wear some brand of comfortable sneakers. HOKA and Clove are popular brands right now but whatever is comfortable works! After much trial and error, my favorite shoe to wear are my Crocs. They are easy to slip on and off, plus easily washable if anything were to splash on them at work!
Keep yourself busy
When you keep your mind engaged throughout your shift it goes by so much faster! In your down-time, if you are lucky enough to have some, ask other nurses if they need help with anything. This is my favorite way to pass the time because not only are you ensuring the patients where you work are well taken care of, you build a better relationship with those you work with. Then, when you need help in the future, hopefully they will have time to be there for you. You could also research a new nursing or medical topic. Research and recommendations in the medical field are always changing so there is an endless supply of new information out there! Be sure to also take time for yourself during these long shifts. The bottom line is there is an endless amount of things to do. Take care of your patients and help each other out to get through these shifts as quickly as possible!
I stand by these tips and I hope they help you survive your upcoming night shifts! Thank you for taking the time to read and I hope you return to my blog for more in the future. Happy nursing!
