Tips for Overnight Preceptorship

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Hi! I am just wondering what people who have been through a similar experience to mine's advice would be. I just learned that my preceptorship (which starts next Thursday) will be 12 hour overnight shifts 8pm to 8am. I have to do 88 hours by May 13th but I want to try to get my hours done quickly if possible. I have never worked overnights before but I am a night owl so that will help.

Is it better to group shifts together or give myself a day or two of rest in between each shift? (of course this will also be pending my preceptor's work schedule)

Do you generally sleep right when you get home?

I go to class one day a week for a few hours, and I have two small children who I am guessing will need to be watched the day after my shift.

I really do not like caffeine. I react to just plain coffee with nausea and a racing heart for about an hour and then I crash so I know that is out of the question before someone suggests it ;)

Any suggestions would be great! I am looking forward to this preceptorship since it's in the SICU, just the hours worry me a bit. But it's only 7 shifts I know I can make it!!

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Congradulation on the preceptorship in the SICU! Well here is my feedback on your answers.

-Try to take a nap before the 1st night shift during the day. (This will give you a couple extra hours to make it through the night.)

-Coffee, coffee, coffee for me. Drink water if that helps.

-Go to sleep as soon as you get home, you may have a hard time at first but I'm sure you will be tired enough to crash.

-I usually work 3 nights in a row

-After my last shift, I usually stay awake to get back on to my normal schedule.

You will figure it out along the way. Other then that, have fun, learn, and enjoy the preceptorship!

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Specializes in ED.

I work night shift. I go to bed as soon as I get home, I don't even eat. I prefer to work 2-3 days in a row and then have 2-3 days off, more than three shifts in a row really pushes me too hard. I like having a few days off in a row because I waste so much of my first day off sleeping, if I don't get more than one day off in a row, I really don't feel like I had any time off at all. Some people can swap their sleep schedule back to "normal" on their days off, I can't. I'd also invest in a white noise machine if you can (or get a fan), I love mine, it blocks out most noise so that I can sleep better during the day. I don't really drink a lot of caffeine unless I slept poorly that day, usually I just drink a lot of ice water, helps keep me awake but doesn't make me jittery like the caffeine does.

Good luck, hope you enjoy it!

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Thank you ImKosher! I am really excited about going to SICU. I cannot wait to start.

Thanks for the info about the nap, I will definitely do that. Ice water is a good idea. I will try that too. Working two/three nights in a row was kinda what I was thinking so thanks for that tip too!!

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Racer15-

Thank you for the hints. You gave many similar hints to IamKosher so I am hoping the ice water/multiple days works for me! Thank you for your support!

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Woohoo..the SICU is so much fun..thats where I precepted...trust me..you will stay busy.!!!

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