Tips to Keep Your Mind Sharp For the Night Shift
By Tyler Faust, RN, MSN, PHN, Contributor
Night shift nursing can be appealing for multiple reasons - personal, professional or both - there's no mistaking the difference you will feel. Whatever motivates your decision to work the twilight hours, there's one thing that all nurses need to stay on shift: sharp. Incorporating these top tips into your regular routine will help you be as successful, if not more, as a night shift nurse.
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3 Tips to Help You Excel at Night Shift Nursing
1. Plan exercise into your daily routine
Exercise is a great way to wear off excess, negative energy and keep you more alert during your shift. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation recommends moderate exercise for shift workers to help them sleep better and burn more calories during the day. Plan an exercise routine around your work schedule and enjoy the benefits later on unit.
2. Make time for short sleep
Short sleep refers to significantly reduced sleep while in the middle of a schedule change, a process that can help your body adapt more easily.
For instance, if you come off a series of night shifts and your next shift is a day shift, go home, sleep for two to three hours, then get up and maintain a day-shift schedule. It will help your body change back into the day-shift schedule, as your body will need sleep as evening comes around.
3. Prepare your home
As a night shift nurse, it’s important to stay in tune with what your body needs and communicate that with the people you live with. Involving family members or roommates with this routine shift will help you make the most of the time you have with them -- as well as help them help you.
Before getting into bed, consider silencing your phone, using white noise or earplugs to block out audio distractions, or sleeping in a room with black-out shades to prevent daylight from coming in.
Know Yourself
When it comes to night shift nursing, only you will know how your body and lifestyle function best to keep your mind sharp during work. These tips are meant to help you stay sharp during your shift, but please always use your best judgment.
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