Working the night shift in home health is a perfect fit for those nursing night owls however for others it takes a bit of time getting used to. Nurses working the nights shift must take extra steps to stay alert, health and most importantly rested. We asked our current nursing team members at BrightStar Care Lubbock to give their top tips to working the night shift in home health.
Catch Some Z’s
Many nurses try to maintain their schedule of sleeping during day even when they aren’t working. Since we schedule for 12 hour shifts our staff says to stay refreshed :- Get on a normal schedule on your days off. The day before your shift, get up really early and take an extended afternoon nap.
- After your shift go home and sleep in a dark, cool room with no distractions i.e. your phone.
Patient Care
Although some patients may not require as much hands-on care, it is important that overnight nurses spread their tasks over the full 12 hours. Here are some tips on scheduling patient care:- Know your patient and their needs. Schedule your shift so that it allows for movement every 30 minutes.
- Don’t complete every task at the beginning or end of your shift.
- 2AM-4AM is when you will feel the most tired. This is a good time to review charting, restock meds and clean supplies.
Food
Many nurses tend to rely on junk or sweets to stay energized during their shift. Our veteran nurses say to try these tips first:- Stay healthy by bringing nuts, yogurt and fruits. Avoid heavy meals that will make you drowsy.
- Stay hydrated by drinking fluids regularly and stop drinking about 1 hour before your shift is over. It will reduce the chance of having your sleep interrupted.
- Save sweet coffees to before your shift. During your shift opt for water or coffee with a splash of your favorite creamer.
- Have food and drinks kept warm in a thermist. Using a microwave may disturb your patient.
Brain Game
There are times during your shift when patient care is complete, charting has been updated and you have some free time. Our nurses like to stay alert through:- Brain puzzles & crosswords.
- Study up on nursing best practices or their favorite nursing blogs.
- Brush up on skills, take an e-course or read more about your patients care by logging into your Elsevier account. (This is a service provided by BrightStar Care Lubbock).
Set-up Your Environment
Experienced nurses know that your environment is the first step to success for a night shift. Try setting-up your surroundings with these tips:- Find a spot near your patient that is comfortable to sit but allows room to get up and move around.
- Bring a light blanket for cooler homes but not one that will make you too warm and comfy.
- Ensure there are no obstructions in your “work” area. This will allow less noise as you move about your patient’s area.