Any tips for working a 12 hour shift?

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I start working next week in the hospital. I will be working full time, days as a Nursing Assistant and also going to school to finish my prerequisites for the Nursing Program. I have never worked a 12 hour shift , the school semester doesn't start back up until next month so I have a little time to adjust, but does anyone have any tips on what I can expect on a 12 hour shift? Ive read the importance to eat breakfast, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thank you!

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Specializes in PCA.

Buy good shoes! They might cost more but your feet and legs will thank you!

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Specializes in CNA.

get plenty of sleep the night before, wear good shoes (those gel inserts help alot), stay on a consistent sleep routine (EX: if you work 6 am - 6 pm, go to bed at 9 pm & get up at 5, even on your days off).

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Invest in good shoes, at least 2 pair so you can switch back and forth.

Drink plenty of water. It's easy to get dehydrated when you work half the day, and being properly hydrated also gives you more energy.

Bring lunch and a snack to keep your energy up.

TAKE YOUR BREAKS. Everyone misses a break now and then, but 12 hours is too long to work without your proper breaks regularly.

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Eat a good breakfast, bring a good lunch/supper. Eat regularly; I get grumpy and off-track when I am hungry.

Get enough sleep!

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Thank you all so much for the advice! I start next week so I am going to try all these tips and find what works best for me.

Thanks again!

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Don't let anyone pull on you when you are trying to help them up from bed or out of a chair. Your back will be KILLING you after 12 hours!

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Good shoes

Lots of water... it is very easy to get dehydrated while on the floor for 12 hour shifts because you find yourself going and going and never stoping for a break. Everytime i take a break i make myself drink at least 1 glass of water,even if I do not feel like I want it!

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All the tips here are good, once you get used to doing 12 hours you'll never want to go back to 8 hour days. You get more days off and if you're like me if it's a day you work you're pretty much out of commission for that day anyway so you might as well rack up all the hours you can.

On days I'm sent home early because of the pt census dropping or whatever, if I worked 8 hours that day I feel like that was nothing.

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Before work like everone else said good shoes, water, & I prefer double thick foam inserts.

After work:

Epsom Salt Warm Bath

Icy Hot

& your choice of Pain Killer

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When faced with a decision like choosing between going to the mall for two hours with your sister and sleeping an extra two hours, always opt for the two hours of sleep. Yes, it will seem that you always sleep if not at work or at school, but your body will need every wink you can get.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I thought a 12 hour shift would be a long time but it actually isn't. You feel it more once you get home and sit down then you do at work. However, slow days are the WORST.

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