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“I go in the break room and set the alarm on my phone for 15 minutes. told the Chamberlain University’s Nursing Program blog that she takes a 15-minute power nap prior to the scheduled start of her shift.
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Take advantage of these opportunities to help keep your energy levels up.
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Many hospitals allow night shift nurses to nap during scheduled breaks for brief periods of time. During your shift, take advantage of scheduled breaks "I switched to flavored seltzer water, which makes me feel like I’m getting something refreshing without any caffeine or sugar."ģ. Avoid caffeine at least four hours before you plan to sleep, or it might be difficult to rest during your scheduled time.įormer ER nurse, Jessica Goodwin, says she avoided soda or coffee at the end of her shift and after. While drinking coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverages can be beneficial to help you stay awake during your shift, consuming too much caffeine can have adverse effects on your ability to fall asleep effectively once you’ve returned home. Stress the importance of your rest period to your friends and family to reduce the risk that your sleep is interrupted.Set aside at least 7-9 hours of solid, uninterrupted sleep every 24 hours to maintain good health.Hang curtains designed for light blocking to keep the room dark.Invest in a white noise machine or box fan to help block sounds from outside traffic or to drown out activity coming from those who may be home while you’re sleeping.Create an environment conducive to restful sleepīecause sleeping during the day goes against your body’s natural circadian rhythm, it’s important for those in the night shift nursing profession to create a bedroom environment that encourages long, restful sleeps even while the sun is shining and the rest of the world is awake. Whether you’re a veteran night shift nurse or new to the job, learn five effective sleep tips for night shift nursing.ĥ Ways to Increase Your Rest as a Night Shift Nurseġ. For others, night shift nursing might require a significant change in lifestyle, routines and eating habits, requiring extra effort to maintain a healthy work-life balance. You get to work when you feel most productive and sleep until your next shift begins. If you’re a night owl, night shift nursing might seem like a dream. Night Shift Nursing: 5 Effective Sleep Tips
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