How to survive 16h shifts...

lei7 · Feb 1, 2013

I work 3-11, but I pick up 11-7's quite often (to make a double). My two keys to staying awake are: 1. caffeine, and 2. keeping as busy as possible. My typical sleep schedule is about 4a-1pm on a regular basis too, so that helps.

Good luck! It most likely won't be as bad as you're expecting!

RNperdiem, RN · Feb 1, 2013

Are the 16 hour shifts by choice or have you been scheduled this way? If so, is this a short-term or long-term thing?

Super long shifts are OK once in a while or for the short run.

Anyway, pack a change of socks and a toothbrush for some mid-shift freshening up.

lydzMtl · Feb 1, 2013

Yeah well its pre schedualled for a few nights not a long term thing but i think that in the next weeks i have about 7 or 8 comming up... About one double shift every few days and they call me everyday to make more doubles( i think they wanna kill me).

The toothbrush is an awsome idea ! I wish i could just take a shower around 5 am to wake up thats the worst par of the night i find... Between 4 and 6...

Laboratorian · Feb 2, 2013

1. Prepare for the days ahead. You don't want to spend excess time at home cleaning and ironing and cooking.

2. GET PROPER SLEEP! As soon as you get in you need to be hitting the sack.

3. Stay hydrated. I didn't believe this this when I was younger but I notice the difference now. I don't hit that fatigue wall at 12 hours.

lydzMtl · Feb 2, 2013

Thnks ill keep that in mind but isnt it hard to prepare when you are working the evening shift 4 to 00 everyday before that?

dah doh, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2013

I do 16 hr and sometimes 20 hr shifts when they are short staffed. I work day shift so about the 18th hour when everyone's asleep, I "hit the wall". I usually eat another meal around the 13-14th hour and start coffee or caffeine drinks soon afterwards. It helps to keep busy anyway you can (hygiene care, care planning, stuffing charts, stock IV tray, take a walk, etc). It helps if you know the shift is coming so you can get plenty of sleep beforehand, but I'm never pre-scheduled so I don't know to try to get extra sleep. Be extra careful driving home because you will be extra tired. I don't do a lot of these doubles anymore because it can talk a couple days to recover from it. Good Luck!

lydzMtl · Feb 2, 2013

Thanks for the advise and tricks... If you guys have more ill gladly try them! Who else works those extra shifts just for the money cuz seriousely they are terrible!

Laboratorian · Feb 2, 2013

Thnks ill keep that in mind but isnt it hard to prepare when you are working the evening shift 4 to 00 everyday before that?

How early do you get your schedule? The first off day you have is the day you will spend prepping.

Like today is Saturday 2/2. I'm off work Sunday 2/3 and Monday 2/4.

I'm going to spend those day preparing for tues-sunday where I will be working doubles.

Laboratorian · Feb 2, 2013

Oh, one more thing.

I keep hearing about how nurses don't even have time to pee.

You HAVE to pee. You won't be able to concentrate with a full bladder.

You must make time to pee.

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Feb 3, 2013

Learn to say NO, they will take advantage of you if you let them and don't let them guilt you into some thing that is too much or unsafe. This will lead to burn out as a new grad learning the ropes. You need your time off to unwind and refuel. A 16h shift here and there is fine, more than one a schedule is taking advantage of you and not hiring. I know some nurses that only work 2 16s a week but that's what they signed up for and prefer.

lydzMtl · Feb 3, 2013

For example i work saturday 2/2 sunday 2/3 monday 2/4 16h so i sleep all day tuesday ... Then i work wed 6/2 thurs 7/2 friday 8/2 16h shift... Off saturday night sunday also... Kinda crazy right???