My first 12hr shift !

Yes, it's hard to get used to at first, but it will also fly right on by.

Take your lunch (and eat it!!) as well as a mid afternoon snack (or two). If you're doing day shift, you'll be busy for the first few hours but then it *should* be easier for the last third of your day. It really won't seem like you've been there for twelve whole hours if you're working at a decent pace.

Also wear good quality shoes. There's plenty of info in the Nursing Gear forums if you don't have good shoes already. Your feet/legs will probably be sore after the shift and the next day though, despite having excellent shoes. It just takes your body a little while to get used to being on your feet for that long.

I love 12 hour shifts, hopefully you will too! Best of luck :)

I am getting ready to start my fourth (and final...YEA!!!) semester and we just did our 12-hour shift last month. It is not nearly as scary as it sounds. It flies by and I actually felt that it was easier because I had more time to do the things I needed to get done. Overall it was a very pleasant experience! I definately agree with the last poster: make sure you eat or you will hit a wall. I took a morning snack, a lunch and an evening snack. Hope this was at least a little bit helpful.

I do 12 hours nights! 8 pm to 8 am and when I first started I got a case of that 5 hour energy drink from Costco and popped one around 1 am, no worries. You get used it quicker than you think!