Night Shift Nurses - Here Are Some Survival Tips for You

How do I stay awake on my night shift? Do you often ask this question? Well the body isn’t meant to be up during those hours at night and as per the research there are some serious physiological and psychological forces working against you, in simpler words human body releases chemicals at night that induces sleep. So, if you find yourself struggling to stay awake at night here are some survival tips for you.

Get adequate amount of sleep - Working at night interrupts with normal sleeping pattern so to cope up with that it is vital for night shift nurses to get adequate sleep during daytime. Human body clock finds it difficult to adjust to sleeping during daytime, so create a sleep favorable environment by using darker color curtains in the room and eliminate any kind of noises or disturbance like doorbell or mobile phones. You can also make use of earplugs and eye masks to ensure sound sleep without any interruption. Gradually, your body will get accustomed to long periods of sleep during day and you will not find it less challenging to be up during night.

Intake of Caffeine - Intake of beverages that contain caffeine like coffee or tea is a good method to keep your body alert. Besides, caffeine is also known as an effective method to get away with fatigue. In addition, drinking plenty of water increases your oxygenation of your blood level and keeps you awake easily during long hours of night shift.

Keep your mind stimulated - Due to brain inactivity; night shifts often have periods of downtime making it difficult to stay awake during night. So, it is highly recommended to keep your brain engaged in something like organizing medical room, chalking out plans to improvise workflow in the unit. Reading an interesting book, work puzzles and teasers also keeps the mind engaged and reduces the risk of dozing off.

Trying to achieve a perfect work/life balance while working in a night shift is not an easy task however, by following above-mentioned tips and sticking to almost similar schedule even during weekends helps your body clock adjust better. Moreover, you need to prioritize your daily needs like sound sleep, nutritious food, exercise, family time to attain a healthy work-life balance.

Thus, working in a night shift is difficult but not impossible with proper focus and tips you can make it not even bearable rather enjoyable. Do you want to pursue a successful and bright nursing career abroad? Have a look at the top nursing study programs offered by INSCOL and let the transformation from an Indian Nurse to a Global Nurse begin!