How to survive 16h shifts...

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Hey all of you super human nurses... Any tricks on how to get by those long 16h shifts?

I'm a new graduate working on a cardio floor in a big teaching hospital and I've got some nasty 16h shifts comming up ( quite many ) ... What are your tricks to surviving those? If any? Oh, and these are 4pm to 8 am shift...

Thnks

Lydz

- Good supportive socks/stocking are a must.

I second this!

You can go very far with support hoes and comfy shoes + Dr. Sholls insoles.

Make sure your toenails are cut! Overgrown toenails can add to the discomfort in shoes.

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Specializes in Dementia.

Bring an extra pair of comfortable shoes.

Sleep at least 5 hrs before work.

Bring coffee.... I like the Starbucks frapp in the glass bottle.

Some people say Mountain Dew is really good.... if you drink soda.

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

I thought it was not legal to work more than 16 hours at a time? I know I am questionalbly safe at 14 hours, I can't imagine 20!!!!! no way, no how, no amount of money, would I do 20!!!

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Just came back from one hecktic evening shift and a calm nighg shift... 16 hours but it wasnt as bad... I used a few of your tricks... Find time to pee... Stay hydrated and eat aroubd 3h30... All that helpes and i also planned all my stuff in advance so this morning i was organized ans didnt bate tu use my brain to get organized i could focus only on treating my patients :) thanks all and if you ot more great advice keep em commin i work another double in 4 days :)

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.
Just came back from one hecktic evening shift and a calm nighg shift... 16 hours but it wasnt as bad... I used a few of your tricks... Find time to pee... Stay hydrated and eat aroubd 3h30... All that helpes and i also planned all my stuff in advance so this morning i was organized ans didnt bate tu use my brain to get organized i could focus only on treating my patients :) thanks all and if you ot more great advice keep em commin i work another double in 4 days :)

If you do get a break try exercising or lying down and taking a nap or at least closing your eyes. Yoga. Meditating. Go for a walk.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

Like others have said, stay hydrated, fed and rest when you can. Sometimes I take a break and take my shoes off and rub my feet for a few minutes. If I have to, I do it in the bathroom. Seems like that's the only time I'm not interrupted. I'm a CNA and I spend 90% of my time on my feet.

Like others have said, you must pee. Seriously, holding your urine all day is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I know I don't have the responsibilities of a nurse yet, but If I get a UTI im really not gonna feel good. Plus, I will pee my darn pants if I wait long enough :-| hehe.

Another thing I do is bring some muscle milks with me to supplement in between meals. I usually only eat once for 12 hours and it seems to help.

Good luck to ya!!

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THEY CALLED ME IN AGAIN FOR A 16h shift and i work a 16h shift wed n they wanted me to do another one today... They crazy or what! Am I the only one working in that hospital?

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Found another trick to surviving 16h... Habing a fruit shake with milk yogurt and a lil mapple sirup accompanied with mixed nuts... And also to change underwear and socks mid way through the shift

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