New to Night Shifts?

Working as a night shift nurse comes with many advantages. Whether you choose to work them for the higher pay, ability to work closer with your team or some other perk, it is crucial to form new  habits so you don’t compromise your health. Adjusting to the night shift schedule can be challenging, but is necessary. We have provided the following tips so you can be successful working night shifts.

Group Shifts Together

Working shifts one after another is common for night nurses. Scheduling your shifts on consecutive days will allow you to get into the night shift rhythm faster. When you work 2 or 3 in a rows, that will also give you longer periods of off-time to spend with friends, family or yourself for personal time to relax.

Sleep is Important

It is important to get 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. At first, it will be difficult adjusting your schedule to sleep in the day so you can be energized for work at night. Limiting exposure to blue light will help you get better sleep. Blue light is emitted from electronic devices like your cell phone, laptop or T.V.  If you have difficulty falling asleep, it may be a good idea to stay off these devices before bed. 

Eat Well & Hydrate

Try and pack healthy snacks and meals to eat during your shift and also a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Healthy eating will also provide your body with more natural energy. We know sometimes natural energy from food is just not enough for most busy nurses and drinking coffee is a must. When you do drink your cup of joe, try and drink it earlier into your shift. Drinking too much caffeine late into your shift may cause problems sleeping. 

We hope these tips help you conquer those night shifts!