How to stay awake during NOCs in PDN?

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So I'm not a great night person & I'm gonna start NOCs. It's hard enough working nights but in PDN it's even harder because you don't get up & walk around. So what does everyone do to stay awake during night shifts in PDN?

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Thank you! I think my body just didn't have time to adjust since I only worked a few nights on the other case. I know I can do it, I just need to adjust my body to it. Thankfully it's only an 8 hour shift.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

Give it time. If its not working for you after a couple of months, it may not be for you.

Oh yeah, avoid caffeine so you can sleep when you get home. I'd have a soda when I got to work. After that, no caffeine so I'd sleep when I got home. Good luck!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Thank you. I am a night owl right now, I can't fall asleep before 1 or 2. I'm sure I will be fine once I switch my sleep schedule.

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Slap yourself in the face as hard as you can tolerate. Just don't let anyone see or hear you do that!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
slap yourself in the face as hard as you can tolerate. Just don't let anyone see or hear you do that!

hahahahahahahahahaha!

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Getting yourself on a good sleep schedule helps a lot. I'm a night owl, and frequently was awake until 5-6 am on nights off, but those extra 2-3 hours made a huge difference, in addition to "wind down" time after shift. When I first started I kept a 64 oh ce thermos of coffee with me, and finished it every shift. Now a few cups over the 22 hour and I'm fine.

One of my cases involves me being in the dark room with the pt, and that took a while to adapt. I starting bringing my Kindle and the brighter light while reading vs a book light in a book also helps quite a bit imo.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Thank you everyone for your great tips!!!

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You will be surprised by how effective a nice crunchy apple can be in perking you up.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
You will be surprised by how effective a nice crunchy apple can be in perking you up.

Not something you always want to eat because m:1. Some of these homes have minor infestations and the fruit flies & ants will home in on your fruit. 2. You might wake up your client if too loud.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
You will be surprised by how effective a nice crunchy apple can be in perking you up.

I'm not a fan of apples anyway. I prefer oranges.

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Wow! You are just like me! Monster coffee, stretching, and podcasts in one ear. Yep! At one job i had my whole laptop set up. Youtube rabbit holes...

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I have started taking melatonin to get my circadian rhythm to adjust. I also consume caffeine and theanine. I listen to podcasts and bring a book. I also bring a journal to write in if im in the mood. If you can be on your phone or computer, the skys the limit.

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