5 Tips to Help Nurses Manage Those 12 Hour Shifts

Posted by exceedhealthcare on February 28th, 2020

There is a lot to love about being a nurse! The job affords many opportunities and good pay. Still, one harsh reality for many health-care professionals is the “typical” 12hour shift. However, nursing can be quite flexible, and it often is not a nine to five job.

Given the unique demands, nurses need to maintain their own physical and mental health. Here are the five tips to help you manage the challenges of 12hour shifts:

Healthy Snacks – 

This becomes a bit of a cliché but holds nonetheless. Nurses are often negligent in maintaining their health. However, this ridiculous stereotype doesn’t need to be the fate of all health-care health-care workers.

Nurses can supplement unhealthy breakfasts, and dinners with nutritious food often break. Then, they can eat a healthy lunch or brunch that satisfies a more balanced diet. Adopting a “grazing” eating pattern is suitable for people working in a high-stress, long-hour clinical environment.

Proper Sleep – 

While nurses tend to endure more extended hours than other workers, their weekly work schedules are often shorter periods. Nurses typically work three 12 hour days as opposed to five eight-hour days. This means that many nurses enjoy more flexibility than other employees Care recruitment agencies in croydon.

So, a good sleep makes a lot of sense in the job of nursing. Not only does this help to facilitate work development and care delivery, but it is also justified given the increased days off. Why a nurse burn the midnight oil in her personal life when she can make-up for lost time during her extra-long weekend?

Hobbies & Activities – 

As discussed earlier, nurses are lucky in that they often enjoy significant time-off. This ranges from three-day work-weeks to generous PTO policies. Health-care workers need to take benefit of flexibility.

Nurses should choose healthy activities and hobbies that calm the mind and body. Perhaps the park is less crowded on Mondays, and you work Tuesday through Thursday. Great! Maybe the park is an ideal spot. Likewise, nurses should schedule frequent vacations. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying lunch on a beach while the rest of the world clocks-in for work!

 Commute & Proximity – 

“Windshield time” is an essential consideration for all workers in large cities. However, it is even a more significant concern for nurses. The added stress of longer shifts and essential job duties means that extreme commutes wear especially hard on health-care workers.

In the end, most of the nurses realize they are blessed with excellent careers. Though, the 12-hour shifts can sometimes take a toll. Health-care workers who find ways to reduce their stress levels will benefit from better work-life balance.

 Scheduling – 

In the age of smart-phones, we’re all digitally connected 24/7. However, that constant stimulation isn’t always healthy. It mainly concerns for nurses in a health-care health-care setting.

Allow yourself to “cut the cord” during shift hours. Convey your family and friends you’re unavailable during those times. Not only you will perform better, but you’ll also enjoy greater peace-of-mind.

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