For day shift nurses, it can be easy to forget that your colleagues are still hard at work long after you’ve laid down to sleep for the night. Nurses are in higher demand now than ever before, and this demand doesn’t sleep. Any facility that houses patients overnight will need nurses for night shift coverage. Generally speaking, travel nurse night shifts are usually between 8 to 12 hours long, and responsibilities are the same as a regular day shift. Though they can be disorienting for a first-timer, night shifts have certain pros over day shifts, such as getting to spend more quality time with patients. Since the pace is so slow, night shifts are also great for new graduate nurses as they get more downtime to learn. Once you’ve started the initial shift in your sleeping pattern, it’s important to keep it going so your circadian rhythm can adjust accordingly. After you’ve completed that first night shift, it is recommended to try to go back to sleep within an hour or two of getting home and to start and maintain a firm bedtime every following day. This will help you to get as close to 8 hours of sleep during the day as you can, especially if you’re working night shifts back to back. Regardless of whether you have a day or night shift as a nurse, getting a good night’s sleep is critical to making sure that your body is well-rested and that you’re able to perform at your highest level. Think of sleep as your body’s way of repairing itself—getting adequate and consistent shuteye helps with learning and forming long-term memories and can improve your mood and overall brain performance. According to the National Institutes of Health, failing to consistently get a good night’s sleep can lead to chronic health problems, such as heart disease and stroke. There are lots of ways to keep yourself busy during your first travel nurse night shift. Walking the unit is a popular option among many travel nurses, but you can also stock carts or get some light cleaning done as well. Overall, simply staying on your feet can help fight both fatigue and mental weariness.
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Sunday, February 16, 2025