[Jamie2887]

Starting my new job tomorrow as a Floor tech at my local hospital, I'm in semester 3/5 in an ADN program and wanted this job for the experience and to get my foot in the door at this hospital, for graduation. Tomorrow and tuesday is just hospital wide orientation, then wednesday is my first day on the floor (respiratory) from 7a-7p with a preceptor, this is my first 12 hours shift, and I'm really nervous. I'm nervous about how the nurses will treat me, I'm nervous about an 8 patient workload (when I'm used to 1 in clinicals), I'm nervous about my shoes and if my feet will kill me after that long, I'm nervous about patients families, I could go on and on. However, I am very excited also, So wish me luck!

[#1 nurse QD]

i am in the same boat as you... although not a tech, but an extern... i will be following my preceptor too blah blah but yes. im worried as well. another nurse in the thread i made (its on this page) said to make sure you're hydrated and you have lots of snacks with you to keep you blood sugar normal. and i think you should be fine since its during the daytime. your body won't be too shocked. just make sure you get enough rest the night beforehand since you'll be getting up early. otherwise, it should be okay!! and drink a little caffeine

[Jamie2887]

I do plan on getting at minimum 8 hours of sleep before my 12 hour shifts. I had orientation today, and it went really well. I am HIGHLY addicted to coffee, so its pretty easy for me not to get tired. I'll just have to remember to bring crackers because I do tend to get a low blood sugar.

[dolcebellaluna]

Originally Posted by Jamie2887

I do plan on getting at minimum 8 hours of sleep before my 12 hour shifts. I had orientation today, and it went really well. I am HIGHLY addicted to coffee, so its pretty easy for me not to get tired. I'll just have to remember to bring crackers because I do tend to get a low blood sugar.

Amen to caffeine! I would drink coffee daily, but it makes me way too hyper all at once so I prefer a soda with each meal (it's easy to drink on the way to work with breakfast too!). I worked a 12 hour shift today and surprisingly it's not the mornings that kill me; rather that chuck of time between shift change (3:30p) and when I get to leave at 7:30p. Things settle down and I notice myself watching the clock!

Good luck and here's to fellow nursing students working 12 hour shift over the summer! I thought I was crazy wanting 12 hours/day instead of 8 hour shifts. I'm adapting so well...I'm considering a double here and there.

[locolorenzo22]

Oh my god...8 patients? I'll KILL for that....I've had 14-19....at once. Good luck, it takes time....