Nearly half of the nurses in the United States work the night shift. For many, this means starting work at 7 pm and ending at 7 am, but it can also include other hours like starting at 11 pm and ending at 7 am and more. As anyone can guess, this is hard to do, mentally and physically. People who work night shifts are more likely to experience sleep deprivation because of circadian rhythm imbalances. The circadian rhythm is a natural flow our bodies follow during a 24-hour period. These rhythms follow natural lighting, which is where night shifters get into trouble. Trying to sleep during the sunlight hours and stay awake during the night sets off these imbalances, making it hard to sleep during the day and stay awake at night, leading to sleep deprivation. Night shift nurses are 28% more likely to make these errors than day shift nurses. But errors aren’t the only problems that the night shift causes. Night shift nurses are more likely to experience health issues, including sleep disorders, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and cancer. In the end, the best advice is to find what works for you and only you. Everyone is different. Experiment with your schedule, especially when you’re just starting out as a new night shift nurse. Try out all of the options listed above and see what works for you, your life, and your body. It’s also so important to take care of yourself! Practicing self care with things like meditation, exercise, yoga, practicing gratitude, and spending time outside can also help you feel and sleep better, no matter what time it is.
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