Working the night shift in nursing.

Just think, when most of us go to bed at night there are over 2 million Americans just getting started with their days as they head out to their places of employment. There are all kinds of occupations that need staff throughout the night and without them many of the businesses and facilities would fail. Of course hospitals definitely fall into this category and nurses being at the forefront of the jobs needed overnight, 24/7.

So what does it take to work the night shift? Well for some it’s easy and this is exactly what they want to be doing with their lives. The hours work great for them and could be considered their dream job. But what about those who don’t have a choice in the matter like nurses who are new to the hospital or are just desperate to get the work? This transition from day to night can be troublesome to say the least. There are a number of health hazards that can affect your well being, with sleep deficiency being the obvious one. Other problem areas that can arise include weight gain, added stress to relationships and drug and alcohol abuse. So what are some things you can do to prepare yourself for this new schedule and way of life?

There’s a great article on the site, ahealthyme.com that suggests some great methods to get your mind and body acclimated to the new hours. Read about it here.

Another article to help you get through the night as a travel nurse can be found at NursingLink.com.

Finally, one more article at BellaOnline.com, Night Shift Challenges.

If you have any other suggestions or tips for other night shift nurses out there, please share them in the comment section.