I am going to be precepting a few night shifts as I finish up my last semester in my RN program, I have experienced a couple night shifts during my previous clinicals and I always got pretty tired and mentally foggy around 3am, does anyone have any tips on staying awake and alert, besides coffee?
Devon Rex, ADN, BSN 556 Posts Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych. Has 5 years experience. Nov 7, 2016 Hello!I work night shifts. Before my first night shift of the week: I take a power nap of 3-4 hours , wake up 2 hours prior to my shift , take a shower, then drive to work. I don't drink my coffee until around midnight, which is usually when I'm able to sit down to do my charting. It keeps me awake the rest of the shift. If I don't take that nap, I get sleepy around 3am... just like you said, even if I drink coffee.
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN 4 Articles; 20,908 Posts Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma. Has 43 years experience. Nov 7, 2016 Nap when you can before work. When at work and get groggy...get up take a walk. I used to brush my teeth, fluff, wash my face and take a quick walk.
barcode120x, RN, NP 659 Posts Specializes in Telemetry, Primary Care. Has 8 years experience. Nov 13, 2016 I work night shifts. Before my first night shift of the week: I take a power nap of 3-4 hours...Exactly what I do too! I'm a sleeper so even if I got 8+ hours of sleep the night before, my body just loves to sleep so I am in bed for nap for nightshift right at 2pm. I know it's bad, but I drink a Monster energy drink every shift (don't worry, I only drink them when I work and only one each which is 3 times a week) whereas coffee doesn't do much. If I'm feeling groggy before going to work, I'll get espresso from Starbucks. But yes, I remember my first several shifts and even to this day 3am-4am is the crappy hour at work and it'll happen even if you are used to night shift haha. I had a coworker that took his break at that time and would walk around outside to wake himself up from the cold and exercise.
