NIGHT SHIFT

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I just accepted my first nursing job and it a night shift! I could use some advice on how to survive. How to you prepare? Or any advice in general! Thanks

I use to use the flashlight when making rounds because that was how I made sure everyone's chest was moving up and down!!! You need to check your patients as soon as you come on, not later. Plus, I made routine rounds, even if I did not have to do a task in the patient's room, you do not want to wake them up by turning on the room lights, so a flashlight worked great!!

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Also using the flashlight when you walk into a darkened room. you flash it onto the floor just so you don't trip over anything (like pump electric cords or spills).

And if you're ever in a hallway during a power outage, it takes a few seconds for the backup generator to kick in. You will be in total darkness/blackness. If you're anything like me, I get dizzy immediately in blackness and I have pulled out my trusty little pocket flashlight so I can reach a wall to hold on to.

Survival tip!

Get one big enough to do the job, but small enough to fit into your pocket. And have some spare batteries for yourself.

I have flashlights in my purse, my car, my bedroom end table, my bathroom, etc. I don't like the dark!

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I would disagree with the lots of coffee comments.

Actually research shows that drinking coffee on night shifts will drag you down in the long run.

I suggest lots and lots of water, high protein snacks, and good self care on your days off.

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Specializes in hospice.

Guess I'm an outlier then, because coffee has been working for me for the last three years!

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Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

True about the coffee. However to each his own. Diet drinks and Splenda are bad for you and people still consume them. Actually you do want to watch your diet. Easy to lose good health habits when you work a weird schedule.

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Specializes in hospice.

Yes, I eat well and exercise in addition to the coffee. I think that makes a difference. I'm also very protective of my sleep time, because that's important staying healthy. And I use actual sugar and milk products in my coffee, because yeah, artificial sweeteners not only taste awful, I find them scary.

I was also a long term coffee drinker before I ever started working nights. I don't know if that makes a difference, but I suspect it might.

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I too will be starting nights soon!! So nervous I won't be able to balance it all?

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Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

Just get on a schedule and make yourself sleep during the day. Dont allow people to disrupt your sleep.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

A number of studies have shown that apples increase alertness even better than coffee. I stop drinking caffeinated beverages after 2 am (don't need the sleep disruption caffeine brings with it) and eat an apple around 6 am. It gets me through morning xrays, report and home safely.

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Does anyone have any recommendation on ear plugs? I can never find a good pair!!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I use a brand that sells at Walmart and Target under the Truly brand. They're very soft, highly compressible and shape to the contours of your ear canal. They also are very effective at blocking noise. They look like this only they're orange:

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They're very comfortable too.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I'm wrapping up my first full month of night shift...and I'm a new nurse. I feel like I never really NEED coffee because I never have enough time to even think of getting tired!! LOL!! I'm busy from the second my foot hits the floor until the last word of report is given! I run around all night and hardly get a chance to eat or drink coffee/water. I think that comes with the territory of being a new grad on the floor.

My best tip for night shift is to make sure that the first night you are on - take a nap in the afternoon before your shift. Its just enough extra sleep to make you okay through the shift. I feel like my first night on is the worst - then they get better as they go because I sleep all day before the shift.

Also, I got an awesome eye mask thing from Bed Bath and Beyond that blocks out every single light and its not flat on my eyes - they have a scoop. Honestly, it looks like a mini bra but for your eyes!! Probably my best $7 investment lol

I really enjoy night shift as a new grad - I feel overwhelmed but I am able to manage it so far. Good Luck!!!

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