tips on how to survive 12 hr shifts.

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HI, I am starting my first nursing job on 12 hr shifts. What do you guys do to keep your energy level within that 12 hr period. any special diet/vitamins, exercise etc that you do?. I am just a little nervous that I won't be able to keep up that long and I've never done any 12 hr shifts before. Anyone? thanks

I only have the experience of 10h shifting from 11pm to 9am and it actually happened in my 1st month of internship. I did it along with my instructor and another 1st year staff nurse...couldn't forget how nervous I was.

I drank a lot of coffee and Redbulls, I also took some eye cream.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.
Good shoes, lots of water, and healthy snacks throughout the day. Sit whenever you can even when it's for a minute or two. And remember to pee!! lol

I've gone through shifts where I've known I need to go pee but get so caught up doing something that I will hold it for 2-3 hours and by then, I'm on a mission to get to the bathroom.

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Specializes in NICU.

It really depends on the unit you are in and the charting/tasks required of you. NICU has me charting stuff hourly, as well as q3 hr feeds, frequent IV checks, and all that good stuff. Usually, until I eat lunch (which is like around 2 or so with my current preceptor), I'm running around and super busy - after that it gets slow, but I learned to set up all supplies for the next shift and help everyone out when possible. Nights will probably be a lot slower for me, haha.

Wearing comfy shoes is a must. I have these weird Mary-Jane/ballet styled shoes which are amazing and actually look cute, too. Helping out the other people when it's slow is a great way to also stay busy, plus it helps to be on people's good sides when you're busy and need some extra hands. And Odwalla bars are AMAZING - can't finish half of one, but they keep me super full and energetic!

12s are my ideal shift tho - not for everyone, but I love having more than 2 days off a week - lots of free time!

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Specializes in Surgical Telemetry.

I just started 12 hour shifts and I LOVE them. The day goes pretty fast for me. I start at 3p and work til 3a so when I get in at 3 in the afternoon it's always busy. The first 8 fly by. Then the second 4 I reassess everyone, do meds, chart checks, med checks, and all that administrative stuff I didn't do on evening shift and then before I know it's time to go home. :)

Working multiple 12's in a row is difficult though because I work, go home, go to bed, get up and go to work. Because I only work 3-4 days a week I usually only do 3 in a row if I do. Although my weekends are a little weird because of the way the schedule is made (it overlaps 2 schedules, we work 1 weekend a month) I sometimes end up scheduled for 4 or 5 in a row because of that. That's gonna be a little difficult.

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I don't like working 12 hour shifts, but sometimes have to do them. I've found that if I'm scheduled for 3 12s in a row, I do better if I: prepare the day before by getting the grocery shopping done, and getting the laundry done, and cleaning the house, and then give myself the day after I've worked those shifts to be as lazy as I want to be. I sleep in if I can, watch tv, read, and really take it easy.

While I'm working the 12s, I try and go straight home, take a shower, and go pretty much straight to bed. It's really all work and no play, but I tell myself I can do it!

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At my facility there is no choice but 12s. After 2 years I prefer it cause I work less and make more. I work friday-saturday-sunday and I go to school full-time monday-thursday. I like because I am full-time on 3 days compared to 5 days at 8-hour shifts. I shy away from facilities with 8 hours. I work nights and we have a lot of downtime so when someone goes to Starbucks at 2a.m I get the biggest size coffee with double shots espesso :lol:

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

A liter of Diet Dr. Pepper is what keeps me going, esp for over night 12's. Also agree, comfortable shoes is a must.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Get enough sleep. Seriously, on the days you have 12 hour shifts, don't try to do it all in the other 12 hours. Relegate what tasks you can (groceries, housecleaning, running errands) to the days that you're not working, so you go to bed at a decent hour.

I'm also a fan of the late lunch. When I used to work 12 hour nights (not in nursing), I'd take my lunch hour between 3-5am--closer to 5 if I could. That meant I'd come back with only 2-4 hours left in the day. There was something psychologically soothing about that.

Oh yeah, don't skip that lunch break. Even if you don't eat during your lunch, you need that mental breaking-up of such a long shift.

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Specializes in ICU,PCU,ER, TELE,SNIFF, STEP DOWN PCT.

GOOD SHOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I love 12 hours shifts . I (generally) do 2 days (7-7) and then 2 nigths (7-7) and then have 5 days off. It makes for uneven paychecks but I have long adapted to that.

I find that, esp. on nights, the busier I stay the faster the shift goes. If I read (a novel or the like) on nights it seems to go on forever, so I will do some stocking if I have time, spend extra time with patients, do some research on nursing subjects. Generally our nights are busy enough anyway.

On days, when there is down time, I try not to get involved in all the gossip and what not that happens. Its not unusual for several nurses to all sit at the nurses station gossiping and carrying on, I have nothing to do with i t.... my shift is more pleasant and the time goes faster (thats just my own little choice). I try to come armed with a project of some sort.

Good shoes, as others have mentioned is a must.

And, when someones asks me if they can "run and pee", I suggest that although I am sure they can, they may find it more comfortable to sit.

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Agreed, good shoes are a must! Healthy snacks yet I don't eat large "meals" ... they make me sleepy. IMO working 12 hr is much better, you are at work anyway, and get an extra day off. I usually get my "second wind" along about the 7th-8th hour and am ready to go for the rest of the time.

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I've tried everything to make my 12's go better. Here's what I've come up with in which I end up tired at the end of the shift, not EXHAUSTED and bratty...

Wake at 5:30

Eat ONLY protein for bfast (egg whites, cheese, turkey bacon, etc)

Gotta have my large DD coffee before my med pass starts at 8...

Just before you hit the floor have a banana and PEE...

About 11:00 (before 11:30 AC) have a low fat cheese stick and a nice big red apple

Large lunch whenever you can but before 2:30 (lots of protein and complex carbs like chix and rice) and PEE

That gets me thru to about 5 when I down an espresso shot and usually a high protein bar

I end up cruising until time to go at 7:30...

Most important tip NO REFINED SUGARS...Only in the coffee add sugar.

No candy, no chips, no gum...only sugar free mints if you need them.

The idea is to stay off the roller coaster of simple carbs and sugars. Any other eating plan I am constantly looking for my next high on candy. Goal is to start out strong and control your hunger (hi-protein bfast), get some fiber to fill you tummy to get you to lunch (fruit and cheese), then a GREAT lunch to make you happy, then some fake sugar when everyone else is searching for a high with candy.

Plan you lunch THE NIGHT BEFORE your shift. Just assemble it in the morning. Good shoes. Don't forget to PEE:idea:

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