TIPS FOR NIGHT SHIFT NURSES | 10 Ways to Be the Best Nocturnal Nurse

[@NurseLiz]

What are your tips for night shift? How do you stay awake at night? What concerns do you have about nights??Let me know!

[@brittanymyers1203]

I work night shift on a busy med-surg unit as a tech, while going for my BSN. My biggest tip for techs and nurses, talk and plan your care together. If the nurse has a 12a med to give and you have 12a vitals to do... go in together and do everything all at once. So you aren't going in at 12 to do vitals and the nurse going back in a separate time, waking the pt up again to give meds. I typically meet with my nurses for each pt, find out med times, and we tackle things together. For example, my nurse Cristie had a 5am med to give. So we will go in together, I'll do the last set of vitals, if the pt has a foley, we'll empty that, do foley care, reposition the pt, the nurse will give the med and we'll leave. We'll spend about 10-15 minutes caring for the pt during that last round, but it beats us going in twice, seperately and potentially annoying the crap out of pt. It takes communication and planning but I find it easier and my nurses love it. They never have to wait for help with turning a pt or ambulating them because I am always there. Plus, most of my nurses love teaching me since I am school. So with me going in with them, they take time to teach me about meds, foleys, chest tubes, NG tubes, etc. It's a win-win-win for me, the nurse, and pt.

[@NurseLiz]

Great advice!!! What an awesome asset you must be to your unit!

[@Prinsunja]

Great video. I’m a night shift nurse. After bedside report I go in and tell them what’s going to happen during my shift, clumping care, and trying to make that plan with them. I’m a postpartum nurse.

[@NurseLiz]

That’s the best! Definitely gives some sense of control back to them as patients.

[@gabzz72]

I’ve been watching your channel since I started nursing school and now I’m a nurse☺️☺️ Nightshifter, here for all the tips

[@LaSorciereFeuillue]

New Grad here & love these vids and the comments. Sleep tips; (older so no children at home) I get up 3am on the day of first Night & do a housework project ie cleaning out fridge/meal prep/mop & sweep. Some study & gentle exercise until I'm tired then I go to sleep for as long as possible. I also do Yoga Nidras on KZbin, 20m is enough. Then I'm prepared to stay awake. Food; light & fresh. Oranges, berries and leafy greens ie tabouleh. I mix through a legume or tofu for protein, & enjoyed tuna when I ate meat. Kmart have a cheap bullet blitzer so a veg & fruit juice is great for energy. I do finish the shift really hungry though so fine tuning this strategy. Patient care; inform, cluster and plan together as suggested. I explain a BP is best taken on a non-squashed arm, so they might have to reposition. I tell them I will squat about a metre from the bed & say their name, explaining the neurological assessment embedded in 3ID check. This area has trauma so pts on edge & easily annoyed. For AM colleagues; ensure their morning meds are in pt drawers & room is tidy, pump ready for IVABs etc & I'll do pre-breakfast BGL if pt awake as precious little time between h/o & breakfast on the ward. Looking forward to reading all the tips.

[@ecwest923]

Thank you. I'm a new nurse 10 months in but got sick, had emergency surgery at my job thankfully. I'm just returning after being off for 2 months and these last 7 shifts have been rough and very overwhelming since we have not had our usual patient population. My unit is ortho & Urology post surgical and we have had PCU/ ICU level & hematology patients on our floor. So 5 high acuity patients, readjusting and relearning how to manage has been a struggle. 😔🥺😥 I'm extremely grateful for my coworkers who help when I ask but I don't want to become the needy nurse.. These tips of clustering care & giving a layout of the night will be helpful. Thanks & I'll keep you updated .💗💗💗

[@ambientamber7204]

I'm new to your channel and have been commenting on everything because I'm so inspired!I work nights in an extended care unit and I love it!I eat as lightly as possible and stay away from carbs because they make me sleepy; also coffee at the beginning of my shift and early gray tea to get through the 3 am humpI do my best to clump my cares, their sleep is so important!My main tip is developing a positive relationship with your night coworkers, we all have each others backs and it makes my shift so much easier and smoother, no matter what emergencies pop up!

[@NurseLiz]

yess! can't agree more! Awesome tips :)

[@pripri9292]

I'm a new grad as of June 2020, passed the NCLEX as of August 2020, and start my job night shift on the med surge unit as of October 12, 2020. I'm super excited! I am going in with an open mind and giving it my all. I love all of your advice it is realistic and helpful! Thank you!!!!

[@NurseLiz]

That's awesome!!! CONGRATS!

[@jenniferfantaziermsnrncet4856]

When I was hospitalized twice last year for multiple days, and had to have surgery( ugh), my night shift nurses were my best friends! I was up most nights-and as a student nurse I think it helped me to empathize. I noticed that some tactics and tips they used , if I was already awake was to try to make light conversation. We talked for the few moments about life stuff, the holidays, things outside of being sick. I have to say it made it more of a human to human connection. Kind of like that island was being visited rather than left in the ocean. Also the nurse aides where I was were very close with the nurses and treated like integral parts of the team. I found that to be refreshing. It’s a private local hospital and see some of those staff from time to time-so it is nice to hear “Hey Jennifer” out in the real world when my hair is washed and I look like a regular person🙌🏼❤️👩🏼‍🦱

[@NurseLiz]

Aww yay, I'm glad you had a good experience with them! now stay out of the hospital!

[@louisebarkman9683]

I start night shifts for the first time this summer, so this is super helpful! Going to check out your other video on surviving night shifts next!

[@NurseLiz]

Louise Lauzon I’m so glad it was helpful! Honestly I really like nights. The people are THE BEST. And it is a really great way to get into your career because people are usually more willing to help you and answer all your questions. Congrats on the job! What type of floor is it?

[@louisebarkman9683]

Nurse Liz goodness I wish it was a job! I'm paying to be there. . . I'm a third year nursing student! It will be on a general medical floor with a bit of a renal focus. I'm so excited! Your videos are all so amazing! Thank you for sharing all your insights, I'm already feeling more prepared!

[@NurseLiz]

Louise Lauzon so sweet, thanks! Oh gosh. You have clinical at night?! That’s hardcore. Hopefully it will turn into a job for you! Sounds like it’ll be a great experience though.

[@barjo1604]

Hi Liz! I really like your video. Thank you so much!! It's really helpful to me!!!

[@carlyrose_]

I just started my first RN job last Monday and I'll be transitioning to nights probably within a month (they have me started on day orientation since I have a lot of all day classes to go to). I found both of your night shift videos suuuper helpful. Thanks Liz!!

[@NurseLiz]

Carly Conlisk I’m so glad! Good luck on nights!! It’s a great group of people usually 🙂. Congrats on the new job!

[@teawithme8789]

You're a great nurse, you're so conscious and it's obvious how much you really care about your patients. I want to be like that when I work as a nurse too. Amazing!

[@NurseLiz]

teawithme so sweet! Thank you! With that attitude you will be 🙂

[@caffieneaddict8716]

OMG, the tip for waking someone with sound is soooo true! My mom will touch me to wake me up sometimes, and I wake up all freaked out like "HUHH" 😂

[@Kendyllmb]

This video was so helpful! I just finished my first week as a new grad night shift Rn off orientation!!!

[@NurseLiz]

Kendyll Marie yess! Congrats! That is a crazy time! I hope it’s going well!

[@autumnwinds8636]

Awesome list! Thank you for posting it. :)

[@Ladii3lla]

If planning to go back to school for no problem do you recommend switching to day shift from night shift? Im always tired from working nights although online classes For nurse practioner are an option considering the times we are in.

[@stephanieo1168]

Hi Liz I graduate in May (SO EXCITED) and start my preceptorship this Monday night. I will be on an oncology unit and working 12 hour nights. I am staying positive and excited that i will have a great learning experience .I have three kids (13,8,6), I'm a bit worried I will be so tired during and after ( I have about an hour commute ) any tips ? For my 120 hours i will be doing two nights a week back to back and i'm thinking I might have do do nights as a new grad as well. I want to be successful and be a mother wife at the same time . My biggest concern is safety for my patients and myself ! thanks again and I loved your video im a new subscriber Happy i found your channel :)

[@NurseLiz]

CONGRATS! You are a superstar for doing nursing school with 3 kids! I have one and I about died haha. I did my preceptorship on an oncology unit as well and loved it! Learned so much and the nurses were amazing. You have to be something special to go into that, so I'm sure you will have a great experience! This is a video I made about some night shift survival tips. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ona6qGaCjd6gi68. But I totally hear you on the being concerned about safety. For the drive home definitely bring something to eat/drink. That really helps me stay awake if i'm snacking or drinking ice water. I usually keep jolly ranchers in my car and eat an apple or carrots on the way home. Worst case scenario, AC and blast music or call somebody. But usually the food/drink works fine! Adrenaline will keep you awake during busy times at work, and when its slow. Go on a walk or climb the stairs. Its hard with kids and a husband, but i've found you HAVE to sleep. at least 6 hours in between shifts. Otherwise even if you are physically there, you aren't much good to your kids or spouse. So if possible get some sleep, which I know is easier said than done. Two nights back to back is good. Three is exhausting. But I like two. If you have any other questions let me know! Sorry for the novel! And thanks for saying hi!!

[@lizitis]

I have an extra IV bag handy (in their room) so when their primary bag gets low and the alarm goes off, a co worker can spike it for me 😉 I’m also a night nurse. LOVE IT! Will stay on nights until my body can’t handle it anymore. Also, Nurse Liz

[@NurseLiz]

Yes this!!!! I always tried to do that too! Such a great tip. I’m with you about nights! Days was SO not my thing

[@lizitis]

Nurse Liz it’s a different breed! (days vs nights). Lol

[@NurseLiz]

lizitis that’s the best way to put it ☺️

[@missb1982]

Thank you, these are soo good. I was just about to ask about the repositioning every 2 hours on night shift but you answered it. Just got my RN license and will be on nights.

[@NurseLiz]

Beauty4Ashes congratulations on your licensure!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼. You’ll do great! It’s an adjustment to go to nights, but once you find your groove things are all good! I ended up preferring the flow and people to dayshift so I switched BACK to nights 👌🏻

[@missb1982]

Nurse Liz thank you so much. It wasnt my preference because I am a day person ,but with my children and not wanting to pay the cost of daycare or rely on someone to pick up my children from school, this is the most feasible. God will work it out.. I just subscribed to you and I love your videos. Thanks again.

[@NurseLiz]

Beauty4Ashes I get that. Best of luck to you! You are being a great mom putting those kids first! Welcome to the craziness 🙂

[@brucemah609]

You are the Best!!

[@MidwifeInMe]

Great info, especially for newer nurses.

[@NurseLiz]

Midwife in Me TV thank you!

[@alexwray]

I'm only a nursing student but this was a really good video!

[@NurseLiz]

AWproductions thank you! Never too early to start thinking about this stuff! What year are you?

[@etboyetboy6196]

Thank you so much

[@NurseLiz]

Natnael Adefris your welcome! Are you going to be a night shifter soon?

[@PureVikingPowers]

This is why i could never be a nurse, diapers :( I feel like nurses is changing a lot of diapers?

[@NurseLiz]

Happy you definitely deal with a lot of diapers 😂. It’s not a profession for people with a sensitive stomach!

[@spookytook]

you don't stay up

[@NurseLiz]

Manny Perez sorry I’m not sure I know what you mean 🧐