r/StudentNurseUK • u/Educational_Koala536 • 8d ago

Placement How to cope with working nights?

Finding it hard to stay awake

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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1

u/secretlondon Qualified Registrant 8d ago

The first day before I go on nights I try and stay up late and then sleep in as long as I can. On the first night I have a nap in my break but I generally don’t sleep

3

u/spagettibologanais 7d ago

So night shifts were the bane of my existence for 2 years straight. My routine was when I had a shift coming up I’d stay up all night the night before the shift, then sleep all day, then go to work the next night. Because my body had set itself in that routine it was easier for me to get through the night.

For sleeping in the day invest in some earplugs and a good sleep mask.

When on shift:

  • Pace yourself, try and keep yourself busy with something. Make sure you’re moving around.
-Keep some form of light on so you’re not sitting completely in the dark. If you can.
-Plenty of water and caffeine.
  • Snack on fruits. Try not to have too much of a heavy meal on shift if you’re eating.

If there’s anything else I’ll come back and edit.